Representational, Abstract, and Symbolic Designs

Representation

This image is a screenshot of the online game Perfect World. The virtual environment is highly representational of objects in our own environment. Visual traits help us identify what the objects in the game represent. For example, in the image, the pointy, gradients of green are plant life. The figure standing in a stance is a "person" to us because he has characteristics of human beings, such as arms, legs, and a head. The creature to his right has features of a wolf: gray fur, hind legs, snarling teeth. For the viewer, an environment that is representational of the real world creates a lifelike game, drawing them into this fantasy world that's not quite like Earth. A highly realistic game becomes a world where players can escape into a new place they can identify but not relate to fully for a new experience.


Abstraction

PixelJunk Eden is the exact opposite of the highly-representational Perfect World. . In this way, Eden is a more "pure" game that doesn't have many attachments to it. Visuals are reduced into simple, solid shapes. You can derive the abstractions from plant life or rock formations, but they are not exactly like them either. The players can interpret what the shapes and their environment are, or they could just play and engulf themselves in this completely new world. This abstract environment is also another place to escape to that doesn't hold any ties to the real world. It is an "abandonment of the familiar" for a focus on striking, colorful virtual worlds.


Symbolism

In this promotional poster for a film event, a film reel projector was abstracted into a symbol. It has that "ultimate simplicity" described by Dondis as it is only two shapes. Yet, specifics about the shapes and their juxtaposition to each other help donate what they are. However education of what a film reel projector looks like is required to understand and identify this symbol. A projector consists of a box with two reels sitting on top of it. The system allows for the passing of film through light in order to project an image onto a screen. In the poster, the bottom shape represents the box. Although it is not rectangular, its triangular shape denotes the lens protruding out of the box. Film reels are circular and the two circles placed close to each other represent them well. A person would know this is a symbol only if they have seen a film reel projector before. If they haven't, this poster would have just been a couple of abstract shapes.