Implied Movement
Graphic Design for print rarely has actual moving parts. However we do make assumptions of movement in the design, based on our previous experience and knowledge, as well as our own desires to interpret what we see. So when looking at the above illustration by famous designer Tibor Kalman, it is hard to disregard the apparent directionality and movement of the diagonal lines that along with the illustration of an umbrella implies that it is raining. Since rain is a common phenomenon and part of everyone's life this message is easy to deduce. Of course, nothing is actually moving in the design, and what we see are merely lines and shapes that we interpret based on our knowledge of the world. Not only is our knowledge of the world part of why we understand the design, our desire to make sense of what we see also helps to interpret the illustration. If a person with no experience of rain or umbrellas would watch this poster, they might have a hard time to see falling rain, but their desire to understand the image would most likely allow them to see a different meaning of movement.
Tibor Kalman was also the chief editor for the magazine Colors, where he was responsible for an abundance of interesting and controversial designs. On the cover to this issue we see street kids from Rio de Janeiro who are surfing on the top of a speeding train. The speed and directionality in this picture is clearly visible by watching the hair and clothing of the boys. Their hair is blown back by the draft that the train causes, and their clothing is blowing in the wind. They are also leaning into the wind as to not fall over, bracing to stay on the train. With the one point perspective in the shot, all lines are converging in the center, giving the photograph a sense of direction. The surrounding landscape is obscured in a blur as the camera fails to focus on it, due to the speed of the train, adding an additional sense of speed and motion to the picture.
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