Visual Metaphors Research Articles

PRISM: A Novel Visual Instrument to Facilitate Self-Reflection and Learning Progress in Undergraduate Dental Education.

Objectives PRISM (Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure) is a simple visual tool that has been successfully used as a visual metaphor in medicine. In this pilot study, PRISM was used for the first time to test its potential to support self-reflection and expectations of learning in dental students. Methods Dental student volunteers (25 3rd year, 10 4th year, and 10 5th year) participated. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, PRISM interviews were compared with a numerical scale in assessing learning objectives concerning theoretical knowledge, practical skills, interest, and training need in the field of conservative dentistry. Results Overall, 71% of total student group stated that they would draw personal consequences for their studies due to participating in the PRISM interviews. Compared to the numeric scales, PRISM was rated as more helpful regarding appraisal of students' theoretical knowledge (p = 0.02), practical skills (p < 0.01), training needs (p < 0.01), importance of dental subspecialties (p < 0.01), and facilitating self-reflection (p = 0.02). In focus groups, students commented that PRISM fostered the development of a trusting relationship with their teacher. Strengths of PRISM mentioned by the students included being able to observe and manipulate a visual summary of their individual learning needs and seeing their different learning needs in relation to one another. Conclusion In this pilot study, dental students evaluated PRISM to be superior against numeric scales. Furthermore, it ameliorated the communication with teachers. The PRISM task is both simple and brief and warrants further exploration as a useful tool for self-reflection in dental education.

Effects of Visual Metaphors on Enhancing the Power of Advertisements

Visual metaphors deliberately deviate from the literal representation of an object. The resulting incongruity has the potential to be more engaging and memorable for the viewer and thus are frequently used as a design feature in advertisements. Recently, researchers have begun to more thoroughly examine the advantages that visual metaphors play in advertisements and this study contributes to this growing body of research. Two experiments were conducted using sets of paired advertisements for the same product or social awareness campaign based on one of them being a visual metaphor and the other being a visual non-metaphor to explore if there was a visual- metaphor effect. In Experiment 1, participants rated these adverts based on three criteria, effectiveness, engagement, and a metaphorical framing effect along with an open-ended question. In Experiment 2, two additional variables were included, comprehensibility and creativity. Results support the view that visual metaphors tend to be more engaging and perceived to be more creative. However, this does not always result in them being viewed as more effective adverts.

The Cruel Optimism of Anthropocene Technologies: Suspicion and Fascination of Technology in Okja, What Happened to Monday, and Geostorm

The Cruel Optimism of Anthropocene Technologies: Suspicion and Fascination of Technology in <i>Okja</i>, <i>What Happened to Monday</i>, and <i>Geostorm</i>

Pilot study to evaluate a novel measure of self-perceived competencies among dental students

BackgroundPRISM is a novel approach to support self-reflection and learning appraisal in dental students, based on a visual metaphor. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PRISM measurments would be reproducible and sensitive to detect learning progress in undergraduate dental students in their clinical years.MethodsVoluntarily participating dental students were included. To evaluate reproducibility, a mixed cohort of 10 students each in 3rd, 4th and 5th year (total n = 30) was recruited and received three identically structured PRISM interviews within one week without any other teaching events. To assess perceived learning progress, 29 volunteer 3rd year students participated in three interviews during their clinical simulation course (beginning, middle, end). Distances between Subject and Objects was measured in millimeter; objects were classified into close or branched clusters depending on their distance from each other on the PRISM board.ResultsValues for perceived competencies within PRISM interviews during one week were comparable between the three time points in the mixed cohort (n = 30; p > 0.05). Comparing the three subgroups (3rd, 4th and 5th year, each n = 10), PRISM indicated that 3rd year students perceived their competencies are significantly lower than the 4th and 5th year students (p < 0.01). 3rd year students had less often a branched cluster of objects than the other two groups (p < 0.05).PRISM showed that over time, 3rd year students perceived a gain in their competencies in conservative dentistry and its sub-disciplines (p ≤ 0.01). The PRISM data indicated that by the end of the simulation course, the students appeared to show higher discrimination of their self-perceptions between sub-topics in conservative dentistry than at the start of the course (p = 0.01).ConclusionPRISM yields a reproducible measure of individual students' learning progress. It is a promising novel approach for appraisal in dental education. Further work is needed to confirm the generalisability of the findings.

Enhancing the Advertising Message through the Conceptual Photography

Conceptual photography is a term that is used to refer to a specific type of photography which has been created for the specific purpose of conveying some sort of concept, Conceptual photographers are tasked with creating images that convey a specific concept or idea, as opposed to simply trying to capture a realistic representation of their subject. or it can mean trying to create an image that evokes an emotion or encourages the viewer to think about something in a different Images in conceptual photography are often used in advertising or public service announcements, because conceptual photography is a powerful tool It can illustrate ideas, deliver massages clearly and give form to abstract concepts. It does this using symbols and visual metaphors. The goal of using the conceptual photography in advertising is to enhance the impact of the advertising messages on the consumer and its arrival clearly and quickly

Visual metaphors in the opening sequences of televisión series in the 21st century

Se analizan desde perspectivas iconográficas y narratológicas las secuencias de apertura de tres series británicas de televisión producidas para las cadenas BBC y STARZ en el siglo XXI basadas en novelas históricas sobre la etapa preisabelina obra de la escritora Philippa Gregory. Se establecen conexiones entre cada secuencia con las demás, en todas las cuales se descubre una triple caracterización: una propuesta narrativa, una iconografía específica y, finalmente, un proceso que relaciona relato e imagen: así, en la primera serie el mundo medieval se percibe como una vidriera, la iconografía predominante es la de la reja y el proceso presente es el de un zootropo; en la segunda la historia se muestra como una partida de ajedrez, la iconografía es predominantemente heráldica y el proceso se sintetiza como una pulverización catódica; en el tercer caso el relato sitúa como centro una jaula de oro, la iconografía predominante guarda relación con la percepción de España y, finalmente, el proceso se comprende a partir de técnicas como la de la electrólisis.

A Comparative Study of Methods for the Visualization of Probability Distributions of Geographical Data

Probability distributions are omnipresent in data analysis. They are often used to model the natural uncertainty present in real phenomena or to describe the properties of a data set. Designing efficient visual metaphors to convey probability distributions is, however, a difficult problem. This fact is especially true for geographical data, where conveying the spatial context constrains the design space. While many different alternatives have been proposed to solve this problem, they focus on representing data variability. However, they are not designed to support spatial analytical tasks involving probability quantification. The present work aims to adapt recent non-spatial approaches to the geographical context, in order to support probability quantification tasks. We also present a user study that compares the efficiency of these approaches in terms of both accuracy and usability.

Magic lanterns and raree shows: metaphors of financial speculation during the bubbles of 1720

ABSTRACT During what is described as the world’s first international stock market bubble – an economic bubble which burst in 1720 – visual and literary metaphors were an important means to criticise new economic practices and events. In this article I will argue that within this context, magic lanterns and raree shows functioned as key metaphors. Engravings and texts picture the devices as machines of magic and illusion, but also of propaganda and education. As such, a visual or literary reference to a raree show could point to the deceit and illusions of financial speculation (‘wind trade’), or to the triumph over these illusions. This diverse use is not only an indication of the fact that the medium was already more flexible than we might expect in this period of time, but it also reflects the status of theatre itself: both the fascination for the theatre and the anti-theatrical sentiments were deeply embedded in western societies of the early modern period. It also shows that metaphors of financial speculation were not only used to make sense of something that could not yet fully be grasped; indeed, they were used strategically and reflect great knowledge about speculative trade.

Boosting students' creativity through visual bricolage of experiences - how visual collage boards help students in expressing their knowledge during online classes

The objective of this study is to present various practical applications of collage-based methods (visual bricolage) as a way of boosting creative discussions with students and helping them to express their knowledge and experience using visual representation. This viewpoint paper is based on the experience of twenty classes conducted with the MA program and postgraduate students at Kozminski University between March 2019 and December 2021, when online whiteboards and visual metaphors were used. The method used was participative observation, as the author also acted as the workshop facilitator. To observe the user’s action, the contribution tracking tool that is available on the mural whiteboard (Mural, n.d.) was activated. The explorations during the workshops revealed two elements of online classes: Conceptualization vs Illustration, to determine whether photos and pictures serve as an instrumental illustration in the background of the story, or they are important elements that convey the sense of the students’ statements. Moreover, the paper contains various practical findings that help to facilitate creative educational workshops remotely.

Consistency as a property of visual identification of the exhibition

The article presents the results of a systematic analysis of the visual identification of exhibition projects and identifies the specifics of designing an exhibition identity, which is an important means of communication that attracts visitors. Within the framework of this article, the authors set the task of generalizing the experience of identifying exhibition projects and identifying the specifics of designing an exhibition identity.The subject of the study is the identity of modern exhibition projects in Russia, Germany, Finland, Australia and China, in which all elements, from the logo, printing products, website to the design of the expositions space are interconnected and represent a single complex. The projects created in large museums with a recognizable brand and established reputation among visitors are analyzed, as well as small exhibition projects, the organizers of which can spend minimal funds on implementation. Based on the Finnish experience of designing museum identity, modern approaches to the creation of exhibition projects of various orientations are systematized, in which the exposition and media about it are designed as a single system in which shaping, typography and visual metaphors form a single imaginative solution, expanding the possibilities of advertising media about the exhibition project and using new channels of information transmission. The conclusion is made about the specifics of the exhibition identity and the factors determining it: the specificity of the exhibition as a special event determines an integrated approach to the development of identity to ensure the synergistic interaction of elements of the visual identification system.

Computer-assisted qualitative visual analysis: Automating thematic analysis of images

The advent of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies has opened new avenues for qualitative research, particularly in visual data analysis. This pilot study introduced computer-assisted qualitative visual analysis (CQVA), leveraging GPT-4 Turbo and Google Cloud Vision to automate the thematic analysis of visual datasets. Traditional methods, relying on manual coding, are time-consuming and labour-intensive. CQVA addresses these challenges by providing an efficient, scalable and cost-effective alternative. This study had two objectives: developing the CQVA method and applying it to analyse the top 1000 advertisements from the ‘adPorn’ subreddit, offering insights into Reddit users’ advertising preferences. A clear preference was identified for ads utilizing visual metaphors, as these were the most common. Additionally, the importance of engaging visual communication was underscored, with themes employing visually striking and easily comprehensible imagery being favoured by Reddit users. Despite its promise, CQVA required human intervention to guide AI outputs and validate clusters and themes. However, the findings demonstrated CQVA’s potential to revolutionize qualitative visual analysis by significantly reducing time and cost, while maintaining the richness of insights typically achieved through manual methods, thus enabling more efficient and comprehensive analysis of large visual datasets, highlighting the method’s scalability and practicality for future research.

Trump’s image in a political cartoon: analysis of expressive potential

This study is an attempt to describe the expressive means used in American political cartoons covering the most prominent events before and during Donald Trump’s presidency. Political cartoon as a type of political text is widely adopted in political communication with the aim to manipulate people’s minds. The results of the study show the functioning of verbal units at all language levels and nonverbal means (visual metaphors and symbols) that help cartoonists show the Trump’s presidency in a humorous way and shape public opinion about the 45th president of the United States. The graphical means comprising capitalization, font and red colour captivate the reader’s attention by emphasizing the key issues in the cartoons. Phonetic means which are sound effects and sound repetitions stress Trump’s emotional condition, underlying his immediate reactions to any criticism. The lexical means such as comparison and antithesis draw the parallel between Trump and other political actors stating Trump’s role in American politics as a leader. Syntactic techniques (exclamatory, interrogative, and rhetorical sentences) point at Trump’s problem solving skills, and his original ideas. Symbols, hidden in the cartoons, contain extra linguistic information that is necessary for understanding the cartoonist’s message. Visual metaphors transmit the information through easily recognized vivid images and comparisons.

The status of the image in ECE assessment practice

While much has been done to advance narrative assessment practice in the early years, less attention has been granted to the role of the image in this pursuit. As a consequence, the purposes, value and strategic use of images (photographs, videos, visual metaphors etc.) in foregrounding learning of young children are not well understood. This paper reports on the results of a short pilot survey, sent to the early childhood education (ECE) sector Aotearoa New Zelaand in early February 2022, asking a series of exploratory questions about the status and utility of the image in ECE assessment. Images were not only viewed by many respondents as central to assessment and the co-production of knowledge about children’s learning, but they were also considered to be significant in terms of the trustworthiness and credibility of assessment information. Images represented young children’s learning in accessible ways and provided for reinterpretation, negotiation of meaning, and ongoing conversations about children’s changing experiences, capabilities, relationships, and community in ECE. As entry points to assessment dialogues with whānau and children, images provided a shared source of evidence about valued learning. We conclude with a provocation arising from understanding images as central to assessment that calls for more critical literacy concerning the placement and status of the image in ECE assessment practice – especially in light of assessment in the bicultural curriculum context of Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017).&#x0D;

Abstract 1201: GenomeCruzer: A tool for interactive 3D visualization and analysis of multidimensional cancer omics

Abstract In cancer genomics, integrative analysis of data obtained from biological samples of patient cohorts requires handling large groups of patients, each with molecular data of different type for thousands of genes, such as expression, mutation, copy number, and others. Currently available tools allow visualization and analysis of such complex data, however forcing the user to work with partial views due to the amount of information. Also, these systems usually involve somewhat laborious procedures, so that for a complete analysis of the information it is often necessary to use many tools in sequence. Here we present GenomeCruzer, a software for 3D interactive visualization and analysis of multidimensional omic data sets (e.g. gene expression, methylation, copy number alteration). GenomeCruzer is particularly useful to quickly achieve clinical and biological insight, providing easy integration and interactive visualization of genomic data of any kind. GenomeCruzer has the dual objectives of representing large amounts of genomic data in an easily readable way, allowing interactive analysis and providing visual results in real-time. Powerful graphics also allow simultaneous display of different types of values for the same objects, through multiple dimensions and customizable visual metaphors. The user can navigate this 3D environment and interact with the different elements, which constitute a representation of the starting datasets, building analysis paths and using statistical tools e.g. for the comparison of groups to highlight correlations. In conclusion, GenomeCruzer enables users without bioinformatics background to browse, analyse and interpret complex omics datasets for multiple groups of patients and genes simultaneously, extracting clinical correlates and biological knowledge. Citation Format: Claudio Isella, Riccardo Corsi, Jamal Elhasnaoui, Andrea Bertotti, Luca Vezzadini, Enzo Medico. GenomeCruzer: A tool for interactive 3D visualization and analysis of multidimensional cancer omics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1201.

Federico Fellini (1920–2020), special issue of Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies, vol 9, no. 1, 2021

Federico Fellini (1920–2020), special issue of <i>Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies,</i> vol 9, no. 1, 2021

비언어적 무용극 창작을 위한 연출적 특성 - 매튜 본의 &lt;호두까기 인형!&gt;을 중심으로

This study focuses on the importance and value of directing within the contexts of the dance theatre as a total art by exploring the directing style and method of Matthew Bourne through examining his < Nutcracker! >. The specific directing features from the analysis are the following. First, he wrote a realistic scenario to achieve a dramatization by using subtext from reinterpreting the original novel and ballet. Second, he attempted to maximize the dramatic expression of non-verbal performance by using logical plot and creative scenes. Third, to convey some continuities from the original, he transformed the original characters into completely different modernized personals having unexpected humor. Fourth, he used original Tchaikovsky''s music as a motif that becomes the center of his dissolution and re-creation. Fifth, he used various style movements such as folk ballet, gymnastics, pair skating, headbanging, Spanish dance, fashion model movements, and the 60s’ social dance along with contemporary dance movement vocabularies. Sixth, he pursued popularity by employing homages and parodies throughout the work by adapting stylistic elements inspired by other performing arts fields such as theater, movies, and musicals. Seventh, he and his stage-art designer, Anthony Ward, create several visual metaphors symbolizing the duality and illusion that crosses reality and fantasy.

Kognitywne modele metafory wizualnej: teoria, metodologia, analizy

COGNITIVE MODELS OF VISUAL METAPHOR: THEORY, METHODOLOGY, ANALYSES The aim of the article is to present cognitive studies on visual metaphor: selected theories, methods and analyses. An overview of literature shows a growing interest in this area of research worldwide, especially in the light of the “visual turn”. Compared to the scholarly output of foreign researchers, publications of Polish authors are scarce and their results are not systematized. The discussion of the current state of research on visual metaphor is therefore motivated, on the one hand, by knowledge gap, and on the other, by the need to popularize and systematize this area of study in Poland.

PROBLEMATIZING CASTE AND GENDER THROUGH VISUAL METAPHORS AND SIGNIFIERS: READING REGIONAL FILMS

Indian cinema, both Bollywood and regional films have a tremendous impact on the minds of the audience and invariably the society at large. Films respond to various socio-cultural issues prevailing in a society. Apart from being just entertainers, most films have a social message. For effective delivery of the message, films do not rely only on dialogues. In fact, most of the things are conveyed through visuals and signifiers such as sound, pictures, colours, images, symbols, clothes, body language and so on; all pertaining to non-verbal communication. Recent film makers use these cinematic techniques for appropriation. In this context, this article explores the visual signifiers in two regional films; the Tamil film Karnan (2021) and the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen (2021). This research looks at how the visual metaphors and signifiers in both the films foreground the discourses on caste and gender. The study makes us realize the significance of such cinematography in departing the true spirit/essence of the films.

Teaching L’Opéra-Mouffe (1958)

This article describes the advantages of teaching Agnès Varda’s early short film L’Opéra-Mouffe, known in English as Diary of a Pregnant Woman, in an introductory course on film form. This award-winning, sixteen-minute film offers a compelling demonstration of the core characteristics of the essay film, along with readily teachable examples of visual metaphor, cinematography, sound, and editing. Its cultural and auteurist contexts can also complement a variety of curricular topics, including the French New Wave and Left Bank creators, post-war France, and feminist filmmaking. Finally, its focus on Varda’s personal experience of pregnancy also makes L’Opéra-Mouffe an ideal vehicle to introduce radical feminist pedagogies that recognize and value personal experience as a valid way of knowing about the world.

VISUAL METAPHORS OF THE COLOUR BLUE IN VIDEO CLIPS OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN ROCK DISCOURSE

The following article concerns a cognitive discourse analysis of the colour blue. The subject of this research is the most frequently actualized visual metaphors of the studied colour in terms of the iconic level (video clips) of British and American creolized rock-text. The aim is to carry out a comparative analysis of the most frequently actualized metaphorization spheres of the colour blue in both British and American linguocultures based on the rock discourse video clips of both linguocultures. In this article the author studies in total 500 examples of visual metaphors the iconic level of British and American rock discourse. As a result, despite the revealed general proximity of the interpretation of the colour blue in the cultures under consideration, the author arrives at the conclusion that there is a world of difference between the most frequently actualized metaphors in this level.