Are Billboards Too Much?

We have all driven down endless interstates, passing plenty of eye-catching billboards along the way. But it seems the longer we drive, the more frequent and outrageous the giant advertisements become. In some places, particularly near casinos, billboards can be found almost every 600 feet. This appalling number of distractions leads some people to question, "Are advertisers being a bit excessive?" Sure some of their slogans are funny and give readers a heartfelt laugh, but with so many billboards floating in front of our faces, we never see them all. Many people are aggravated because they just cannot seem to get away from the sales pitches and slogans.

Could billboards soon become as annoying as telemarketers? No one can tell for sure, but in the meantime, Americans will continue to drive highways full of advertisements. And unfortunately for us, there seems to be no end to the incessant slogans in sight.

www.statesman.com.

Goals for Visual Communications

People are bombarded with millions of sights, sounds, colors and textures every day. These observations are so familiar by the time they are adults that most people barely think about them anymore. I am one of these people.

From this visual communications class, I will rediscover the world I have neglected to notice. I will begin to understand how we as humans react to specific layouts. As an observer, I realize how important it is that journalists and advertisers understand people in order to communicate messages and products effectively. I look forward to learning new computer programs that will help me create my own website, design professional layouts in the form of a newsletter, and understand the key elements of what makes a good design great. This class will broaden my skills and, most importantly, prepare me for the future.