Presentation Design Task

Today, we had to come up with a concept for Internet Explorer 9 to get people aged 18 to 25 to explore the internet more.
I have learnt that it is important to go through many stages in creating concepts and that the first idea is not always the best.
The reason we did this was to practice designing and building up ideas and possibly enter our ideas into a competition on D&AD.
I believe that my design did not do so well as I did not manage to find a way for it to be applicable for real life, although my design was different and new. It was a good idea at first but my presentational skills let me down as I could not explain everything properly or fully. I need to work on this. I think that if I work on it more and focus 100% I will be able to get my point across next time and address the problems and how my project would be physically helpful.

Interactive Media

LITERAL: A monitor with some writing on it. ABSTRACT: Could be a little joke as the ad would not cover the whole screen, but it could show that the Internet is just full of advertisements. FEELINGS: I feel that this is indeed a little sly dig at how the Internet is full of ads, so I like it. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Looks fairly old, but the fact that there is a computer means it can't be TOO old.
 LITERAL: A large touch-screen keyboard. ABSTRACT: This could be a new piece of technology that can make things easier or more fun for people. FEELINGS: I like the idea of large touch-controlled keyboards, but they do not need to be on-screen. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This will have been shown at some kind of showcase event for a touchscreen computer.
LITERAL: A car game. ABSTRACT: It looks like you can go very fast in this game and there are arrows showing where to go so it cannot be a very serious game. FEELINGS: I don't think I'd like this game, I don't like the style of game. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Again, very modern, as with all images in this topic.
LITERAL: A new-age phone. ABSTRACT: Two phones that are identical but with different images on each - perhaps referring to the fact that it is a phone for anyone and everyone. FEELINGS: Looks like a nice phone, but I feel this is a weak image. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Once more, the image has to be modern and recent.

LITERAL: This is an image of a projection of a figure. ABSTRACT: 3d rendering of what it would look like if there were many lights on the floor and above the floor. FEELINGS: This is a kind of confusing image, I think. It does not make much sense. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: I am not sure where this would fit in in terms of cultural or social places, but maybe it is part of a design.

LITERAL: A hand holding a cable. ABSTRACT: This may mean that someone must unplug their cable and punish someone else (who?). FEELINGS: I feel that there is a subliminal violent message here. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Due to the date on the image, I can say that this was made during mid-2011.

Scientific Images of Optical Illusions

LITERAL: A black and white Jesus. ABSTRACT: If stared at nonstop for a while, the image of Jesus Christ will be shown when you blink. FEELINGS: I like this optical illusion because while it is obvious, it is also surprising. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Made in the early 2000s, this is a popular optical illusion.
LITERAL: A painting of a tiger stood in the open. ABSTRACT: The words Hidden Tiger are formed by the tiger's stripes, this illusion is somewhat hard to find out without being told. FEELINGS: Again, I like this one, simply because it is both hard to see but also so out in the open. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Popular image online, very modern.
LITERAL: Two faces on either side with many stripes. ABSTRACT: There are actually at least 5 faces in this image. FEELINGS: I was told that there are actually 7 faces but I am unable to find them, this annoys me. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Again, popularised online, but I believe this image was pained. Therefore, probably first seen in a magazine/forum for optical illusions.
LITERAL: Many dots and circles. ABSTRACT: A completely still image that looks as if it is moving when your eyes move around the image. FEELINGS: Whenever I see this kind of image, I feel confused and a little dizzy because it is a still image that looks to be moving, which is odd. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Likely seen in a magazine or compilation of illusions.
LITERAL: A black and white hand. ABSTRACT: There is the face of a lion in the middle of the hand, perhaps this is a hidden meaning that there is a bit of fierceness (because of the lion) in us all. FEELINGS: I like this image because I believe it is a very realistic image, apart from the fact that it is a lion.
LITERAL: Purple and green odd shapes. ABSTRACT: If focused on one corner of the image, the middle seems to be collapsing into itself. FEELING: Another very odd feeling image because of how it moves when it is clearly a still image. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: One last time, this image will have been doing rounds online, in optical illusion magazines and so on.

Media, Advertising and Propaganda

LITERAL: This is, literally, Hitler and another evil-looking person, seemingly on top of the world. ABSTRACT: As the caption says, this image may mean that evil is taking over our Earth and it may be attacking it. FEELINGS: I feel that this is a fairly biased image, because it states that the two figures are a danger to our homes and the world. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This was probably made in the 1940s in the UK, America or elsewhere because it is a propaganda poster from that era.
LITERAL: Two painted/drawn bodies with their heads replaces by machinery. ABSTRACT: This image may be showing that even with the individualities that we have, we are all machines (similar, mass-produced beings). FEELINGS: I like this because it is well drawn or painted, which gives it that look that seems both realistic and unrealistic at the same time. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: I believe this would have been shown in a shop window because based on its surroundings, this would make the most sense.
 LITERAL: A billboard ad for some kind of pain relief. ABSTRACT: This big hook is not the best sight when in pain, so I do not understand why it is there in an ad for pain relief. FEELINGS: It feels as if the hook is the 'big problem' it mentions, and maybe it shouldn't be there, which is why pain relief would remedy this. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This would be seen on a billboard, in a city somewhere.
LITERAL: A man saying that he will give you the day off. ABSTRACT: This could be a conniving, sarcastic, or cunning way of giving guilt to workers. FEELINGS: I enjoy the comical style of the man, but not of the overall poster. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: I think this would be seen in a Japanese or Korean city as a form of de-motivational poster.
LITERAL: A propaganda derogatory poster on Jews. ABSTRACT: The Nazis wanted people to think Jews were someone to fear, were big-nosed ugly people etc. This poster shows this. FEELINGS: I feel that this is strongly biased in the Nazis' favour, and unfair to the Jewish faith. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Again, this will have been seen during the Second World War when propaganda was very popular.
LITERAL: An American soldier, apparently he died for George Bush's election. ABSTRACT: The poster shows that many soldiers died for Bush, and asks what I've (you've) done for him. FEELINGS: I feel that this is an odd and unnecessary poster, odd because you'd be unable to say "I died for..." etc, being dead. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Obviously, this poster would have been published and shown during the time when Bush was wanting to be elected.

Good Examples of Design

LITERAL: A design for a tank or some kind of armoured vehicle. ABSTRACT: As with all designs, the intention was to envision a possible creation. FEELINGS: This feels like a detailed concept of what the finished creation would look like, even without colour. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Being a concept for what looks like an armoured vehicle, I believe this concept was thought of to aid an army.
LITERAL: This is a design for what look like holders for things such as pencils. ABSTRACT: Again, this is a detailed concept, although it could be something else other than what I think it is, as it's not too clear. FEELINGS: I feel that this could be a little bit clearer (addition of colour may help) but the words may explain everything that needs to be known, however it is too small for me to read here. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: A concept like this would likely be for a household company that would go on to sell the final product that has been drawn here.
LITERAL: A concept of some shoes. ABSTRACT: The shoes are for Nike as I can see the logo. FEELINGS: These are once again very detailed, and this time colour is used, which makes them look better and I'd say more presentable. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: The idea for these shoes would be pitched for or by Nike.
LITERAL: This is a long sequence of  Dominoes. ABSTRACT: The dominoes have been laid out in this way on purpose, thus making the way they are now a design. FEELINGS: I am interested in how long it would have taken to put these like this and whether it worked out; whether all the dominoes would fall one by one. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: As this is a screenshot from YouTube, it is not a primary source, but a secondary one. This could have been made by anyone, but it was definitely fairly recent.
LITERAL: As it says, this is the design sketch for Winkstead Hall's interior. ABSTRACT:

Artworks

LITERAL: This piece is a man's face with other faces inside. ABSTRACT: This could mean there are many faces in a person behind the one we see. FEELINGS: This is an odd and slightly twisted-looking image. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This piece was from 1940 by Spanish artist Salvador Dali.

LITERAL: This painting is of a man screaming, with an odd background. ABSTRACT: We are not told why the man is screaming in the image, however it may have something to do with the background having the appearance of a nightmarish state. FEELINGS: I feel interested as I do not for certain know why the man is screaming. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Painted in 1893 by Edvard Munch from Norway.

LITERAL: This picture is of a robot that is bleeding for some reason. ABSTRACT: It could be trying to show that even things we would not perceive to have feelings, do in fact feel pain. FEELINGS: I feel as if I cannot help this machine. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This has a futuristic object in it, the robot, however it seems fairly old to me.

LITERAL: This image is of a bull fighter fighting a bull. ABSTRACT: The red of the cape/rag thing blends in with the background's red which may symbolise the blood (as it's red, so is blood). FEELINGS: I do not think the fighter realises how much pain he is putting the bull in. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This (bull fighting) happens in Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries since the 1700s.
LITERAL: This image is of a man whose head seems to be exploding. ABSTRACT: It could be that his mind has been literally... blown. FEELINGS: I feel that this man is in great pain as his face would suggest, therefore I feel sorry for him. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This is a fairly recent image and is untitled, but was made for a band's album cover.
LITERAL: A skeletal figure rising out of a grave. ABSTRACT: This could signify that someone believes evil is returning. FEELINGS: I feel intimidated because this is a rather menacing-looking creature. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: The pentagram on the grave would suggest this is a servant of the devil, or it is the devil, therefore this may have been painted by someone religious who would shun evil.

Urban Signs and Symbols

LITERAL: This is a (possible joke) sign that indicates that there will be wombats. ABSTRACT: As signs like these are usually warnings, the joke may be that wombats are not particularly dangerous. FEELINGS: I feel that there's a strong chance that this was put up as a joke, but there is also always the chance that it is serious. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Depending on where this sign was put up (I don't actually know IF it was) it can be applicable to real life as there may well be wombats coming up.
 LITERAL: This sign shows that there are diggers working up ahead. ABSTRACT: A hidden meaning could be that, because of the red of the outline of the triangle, that it is in fact another danger sign. FEELINGS: I feel that this sign may be helpful. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This sign would likely be found in an urban area; on (the side of) a road somewhere in front of road workers.
 LITERAL: Another sign, this time the fairly recognisable stop sign. ABSTRACT: Once more, the red (being a hot colour and often linked to anger; danger etc) could be a signal to warn people away. FEELINGS: I would find this one helpful too, as it could avert a person from going the wrong way. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: I would think that these stop signs were very uncommonly seen, if at all, before the invention and widespread use of cars as transport, therefore they are a fairly recent sign.
LITRAL: This is a detailed graffiti of Batman. ABSTRACT: The fact that this is graffiti means it isn't supposed to be here, perhaps linking to what the image here is. FEELINGS: I am interested with this piece as it is very well-done and must have taken some time for planning and to produce. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Being graffiti, this would likely be placed in an area where it will be seen by many people, be that a town centre, train station wall, etc.
LITERAL: Another road sign, this time to warn people of bears, for the humans' and the bears' safety. ABSTRACT: Yellow is often used for hazard symbols, and it is used here, so piecing two and two together would suggest that the bears are a hazard. FEELINGS: This makes me feel as if the bears cannot look out for themselves, that these signs, created by humans, are needed to keep them safe. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This would only be seen in an area which has many bears in it.
LITERAL: Another graffiti, this one is of what looks like a lizard or dinosaur or something. ABSTRACT: This one is particularly large and was probably done to be seen by many more people or to be controversial for the fact that it is so large. FEELINGS: I do not know what this particular piece's meaning is, therefore I feel confused at why it is there. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: It looks as if this was put on a big building which has many countries' support, as is evident by the flags.

Historical Images

LITERAL: This image is a cave wall painting of some inidentifiable (to me) objects. ABSTRACT: The abstract idea behind this may be that the cave people wanted to document something but it did not come out as clear as possible. FEELING: This makes me feel as if I want to see what this image really is and means. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This image was supposedly etched on a wall in prehistoric times by cave people.
LITERAL: This is an image of some dinosaurs, chiseled into a cave wall. ABSTRACT: This may have been drawn as a type of plan to be used for hunting. FEELING: The feel of this image is of intrigue as to what these beasts were. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This image was also made during prehistoric times, some 30000 years BC.
 LITERAL: This appears to be a cave interior which has many engravings of shapes. ABSTRACT: It may have been the caveman version of a chalkboard; a place for the people to work things out. FEELING: It makes me feel confused as I do not know what any of this means. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This is another cave etching from the Paleothic (stone age) era.
LITERAL: This is an image of what looks like an early form of a cow engraved into stone. ABSTRACT: This image might be here as proof that animals like this have existed/do exist. FEELING: I feel that this is a well-done portrayal of an animal that lived in the past. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: Once again this is from during the Stone Age.

LITERAL: This is an image of an ancient Greek building. ABSTRACT: Could be an oldschool prison for various criminals. FEELING: Isolated as this seems like an empty old place now. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This seems to be a temple from Ancient Greece, which could be thousands of years old.

LITERAL: This is an old colosseum from somewhere in Rome. ABSTRACT: This was a place where many people would come to be entertained, be that at other peoples' expense (gladiator fights) or watching Olympic participants. FEELING: I feel that this was a place where many people died, but just as many found fame and fortune here. CULTURAL/SOCIAL: This was a huge place for spectacle and thrrefore was a socially active area; in terms of culture it was also very popular as people grew up watching various things at the colloseums.