Visual Analogy

Visual Analogy

Analogy: 1. [n] similarity in some respect
between things that are otherwise
dissimilar: "the operation of a computer
presents an interesting analogy to the
working of the brain".

A visual analogy adheres perfectly to the definition above, but
strictly using visual forms.
Creating effective visual analogies can be approached in three
steps:
1. Identify similar shapes contained in unrelated objects or
images (object A and object B).
2. Create a single shape (object C) from objects A and B.
3. Verify that the viewer can clearly identify both objects in the
visual analogy.
Example:
The shape of the sun
can be compared to the shape of the dot in a lower case "i".

Visual Analogy
An obvious visual analogy might look like this:

Here are some examples of visual analogies in trademarks (which
use an initial in the business name):
What does this analogy tell you about this person's profession?
Can you clearly see both the initial and the symbols?

Visual Analogy
What does the analogy tell you about the product this company
manufactures?
Notice how the analogy shape has been simplified.

What does the analogy tell you about the product this company
manufactures?
Notice how the choice of typeface makes the analogy easier to
see.

More Examples: Click on the thumbnais for more information.

Visual Analogy



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Visual Analogy
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Visual Analogy Example 1.

Abstracting shapes to their simplest forms helps unify the
dissimilal objects.
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Visual Analogy Example 2.

Objects are visually altered to make the analogy easier to
recognise.
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Visual Analogy Example 3.

Abstracting shapes to their simplest forms helps unify the
dissimilal objects.
file:///Macintosh%20HD/Desktop%20Folder/visualanalogy/analogy03.htm [10/2/2001 10:13:49 AM]
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Visual Analogy Example 4.

Can you easily read the text and also see the analogy?
The shape of each red character is similar to the shape of the
"O" which it represents.
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Visual Analogy Example 5.

Looking at objects from different points of view can help in
discovering potential analogies.
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