Visual+Literacy

My interpretation of the visual message is that they are trying to convey that, due to over-consumption of the foods offered by fast food chains such as McDonalds and KFC, Americans eat protein in excess and are therefor "overproteined".

Even though I was able to determine the message that the visual attempted to convey it could have been better executed. Through the PAT model (Perception, Action and Tools), we can critique the image and consider how it could be improved. Rather than using boxes to have the reader follow through to read the data having them in a list form could be easier to follow and read. The title of the image does not stand out enough from the data and confuses the reader as to what the intent of the message is, separating the two with a more intuitive flow, such as the title on top or to the left would allow for a more linear progression of data. The use of references to fast food chains does draw from Gestalt experiences because people can easily recognize those symbols and decipher what they mean. The proximity of the clip art to the data is fairly appropriate but not ideal nor does it properly convey the vast quantity that the message wants to express to the viewers. For tools the size of the boxes also do not relate visually to the large quantity of protein that is being consumed. A lack of sense of urgency is displayed in all aspects of the visual. If the message is to convey the alarming quantity of protein that Americans consume then text, graphics, and colors should convey that. Rather than mute colors, expressive and colors associated with danger, such as reds and yellows would be more effective. Rather than friendly and irregularly re sized clip art, shocking images of mass produced food lines or greasy burgers would be more effective at catching viewer attention.