Creative Digital Media Production Unit 1: Lesson 8

What are the definitions of the following terms

Denotation

The literal meaning of something. For example a picture of a Rose

denotes a flower.
Connotation
The idea or feeling a word or image can invoke. For example a
Rose might carry connotations of love and romance.
What are some of the stylistic codes we can analyse magazines with...
Layout & Design The way in which the text is constructed partly through the
technical codes. The use of colour, font style and text positioning all contribute
to the overall style of the publication.
Camera Shots The choice of shot on a print helps communicate meaning.

Lighting The way in which the image is lit helps in the construction of the
image.

Use of Colour The colours chosen to be incorporated into print texts convey
messages about the texts genre and often about the consumer who will buy it.

Graphics Logos and graphical representations appear in many forms on print

based texts.

Post Production Techniques it is the case in the media today that many
images are manipulated and enhanced digitally for an effect.

What are some of the stylistic codes we can analyse adverts with...

Iconography objects, settings, backgrounds within a text can be

analysed for meaning. Some objects will take on a significance
beyond their literal meaning. The denotation of Big Ben is a clock
in London. However, when it features on the News at Ten it
signifies tradition, reliability and London as the centre for news.
In this sense it becomes symbolic Iconography.
Clothing the closing worn communicates messages about the
person, for example uniform. Within a media context, clothing
can communicate messages quickly to an audience without the
need for complex explanation.
Expression facial expressions also communicate messages that
can easily be interpreted by an audience.
Gesture gestures are non-verbal communicators and as such
cross language barriers.

What are some of the stylistic codes we can posters adverts with...
 Images & Captions
The image on a print text can develop the narrative. This can be
done the technical codes, visual codes, the mode of address or
the way the audience is positioned by the look of subject.
An image without a caption is an open text and the
interpretation is up to the audience. Once there is text with the
image the audience will interpret the text a different way and
this closes the text.

What are the stylistic codes telling us in this example? (Annotate

using text boxes).

Colour gives an expression of a bad theme, after that you see

Snoops face and understand that it will be serious. His name
looks gangster. Car suggests drug deal, or some other crime.
Name of an album stands out because its different colour, its
golden when the colours are black and white, maybe suggests
that its his golden album.
 TASK
Use Photoshop to create an advert for PlayStation VR. Make sure to utilise
stylistic visual and technical codes to
appeal to audiences.