Friday 12/3 – Klostermann and Baudrillard – Thor

Summary The first reading from Klostermann, This is Emo, discusses unrealistic ideas of relationships as presented in films. Klostermann argues that it is completey impossible to be satisfied in a relationship due to the fact we will always compare our relationships with fake, unrealistic love showed in films and tv. As Klostermann explains “Real people…

Monday 11/22 – Smith, Chapter 8 – Thor Steinarsson

Summary The eighth chapter of Smith’s book discusses the concept of interactivity. Smith discusses how new media trends, such as video games and phone apps, have a deeper interconnection between users and the media. Film and TV require almost no effort, the viewer just sits and watches the Film or TV without much physical or…

Friday 11/12 – Thor Steinarsson – Macnamara

Summary This specific chapter written by Macnamara discusses myths and exaggerations, also known as cyberboles, and trends and developments which he refers to as either turning points or tipping points. The chapter opens up on the discussion of Endism, referring to the death of certain media platform as new media platforms arise. Macnamara raises concerns…

Friday 11/5 – Thor Steinarsson – Klostermann

Summary The first Klostermann reading, “Space, Time, and DVR mechanics”, discusses the perception difference between TV media content and live events, such as sporting events or concerts. Klostermann discusses how less entertaining and engaging TV media is compared to live events. Klostermann introduces several reasons for this, including the removal of ads, being more distance…

Friday 10/29 – Smith – Thor Steinarsson

Summary This particular chapter of the book discussed the classification of TV shows and films as “Brands”. The so-called brands are the actors, directors, and genre. Smith talks about how people pick certain movies and TV shows based on these “brands”, and how make your choice based on certain aspects that fit what you want…

Radiolab On Repeat – Friday 10/22 – Thor Steinarsson

Summary This particular podcast episode discusses the concept of repeat and repetition and how people react to it. In the beginning of the podcast, the podcasters discuss a comedy show in which comedians, Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler, rinse and repeat the same bit over and over again. The podcasters discuss how the audience reacts…

Thor Steinarsson – Friday 10/8 – Lebron James and Black Lives Matter

Summary The article discusses LeBron James and how he handles controversial issues. After the tragic death of 12 year old, Cleveland born, Tamir Rice at the hands of an police officer, many were left shocked that LeBron refused to discuss the matter at first, especially knowing how incredibly influential he is as an athlete. The…

Friday 10/1 – Maasik Solomon (2012) Semiotic Method – Thor Steinarsson

Summary This introduction chapter for Signs of Life in the USA highlights how the world and our society has been shaped by pop culture. It discusses how important it is to understand and analyze pop culture media content to help us understand that content in a deeper meaning. To help us analyze pop culture, the…

Friday 9/24 – “Creating Visual Hierarchy With Type” & “The Works-Every-Time Layout” – Thor Steinarsson

Summary The first video, The Works-Every-Time Layout, provides an easy layout style for advertisements that should do the job. This layout includes seven different parts to it that will help your advertisement be as effective as possible. the first important part of the layout are the margins, both outer and inner margins. Margins are then…

Friday – Chapter 4-5 Rebecca Hagen & Kim Golombisky – Thor Steinarsson

Summary In chapter 4, Hagen and Golombisky talk about some of the major errors and “Layout sins” as they call them. These are some rooky mistakes in the design and layout of advertisements that should be avoided at all cost. All together there are 13 major “sins” that should be avoided when creating advertisements. These…