Genre is French word meaning “type” or “kind”. The way in which we use genre is everywhere from a simple set of types to an intense and in-depth hierarchy of categorization. The amounts of things and concepts placed into genre are endless, ranging from music, films and television to subcultures, art and literature.
Genre can be as simple or intricate as is necessary. The factors of genre are as expansive as the concept of genre itself. Depending on the factors considered for whatever particular thing is being categorized would determine the intricacy of that items’ genre.
The question posed to me was “What is your favorite genre film?”. To this question, I will absolutely, always answer Wayne’s World. This film, in its most basic genre is a comedy. More specifically in the hierarchy, it is a “buddy comedy”, in other words, a comedy in which the story focuses on a main character who has a crucial supporting role. Or, it can be a story that revolves around two main characters and their trials.
The simplest reasons for this movie being my favorite are that it is just hilarious and keeps me interested with multiple (a term used loosely) views. Every time I view this film, I still laugh at the jokes, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. I also inadvertently quote lines from this movie in everyday speech and situations.
Wayne’s World, in certain ways, set a nearly unreachable bar for the “buddy comedy”. In no other buddy comedy that I’ve view have I felt a relationship as genuine and close as that shared with Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar. As well as setting a high bar within its specific genre, in my opinion, Wayne’s World set a high bar in comedy as well.
Genre is important in understanding the necessity to categorize things. Genre creates a map and hierarchy for everything that can be organized, making it easy to specify groups and providing a simple way to find certain information.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Semiotics in Advertising: My Future Career
I aspire to eventually work in the world of advertising. And without a firm grasp of semiotics, I will have a tough time doing so.
Semiotics, the study of signs, is pretty closely related to advertising. Actually it is precisely related to advertising. To an advertiser, semiotics is everything. The way a potential consumer views a product or service, the world around them, anything and everything, is vital and crucial to the process an advertiser will use in order to create ads and sell products or services. To understand advertisements and advertising, an advertiser much fully understand the thought processes of their potential consumers.
This can be a daunting task, but it is an essential one. From what I have learned about semiotics, I will have a much greater understanding, not only of what a consumer may see, but the potentiality of what I see as well. After taking a course in advertisement and receiving a more in depth lesson on semiotics in my media studies course, I am able to analyze the world around me more easily.
It is one thing to be able to view a sign in one singular vision; the way in which you originally decipher it. It is another to view a sign in every way imaginable, and more importantly for advertising, the most popular way.
Semiotics, the study of signs, is pretty closely related to advertising. Actually it is precisely related to advertising. To an advertiser, semiotics is everything. The way a potential consumer views a product or service, the world around them, anything and everything, is vital and crucial to the process an advertiser will use in order to create ads and sell products or services. To understand advertisements and advertising, an advertiser much fully understand the thought processes of their potential consumers.
This can be a daunting task, but it is an essential one. From what I have learned about semiotics, I will have a much greater understanding, not only of what a consumer may see, but the potentiality of what I see as well. After taking a course in advertisement and receiving a more in depth lesson on semiotics in my media studies course, I am able to analyze the world around me more easily.
It is one thing to be able to view a sign in one singular vision; the way in which you originally decipher it. It is another to view a sign in every way imaginable, and more importantly for advertising, the most popular way.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
WordPress Site Review: Van Heusen
The WordPress site that I found to write a review for is VanHeusen.com. Van Heusen is a male dress clothing company.
From the surface level, even on the first page of the site, the layout, theme and style all look very sharp and elegant. This elegant and dressy (yet simple) appearance accurately reflects Van Heusen’s products and business style. When a customer visits their professional web page, they will be impressed by the way the site looks. This is very useful for the company, because they can sell their product much more efficiently with a great looking site.
The navigation of the Van Heusen website was very simple and efficient for me to use. Browsing for clothing is made very simple and navigation to other parts of the site is very easy as well. When a customer goes to browse through shirts, for example, they are greeted with a very lush page with large, bright pictures of the models wearing the products. Another click to focus in on just one item and the customer is taken to an even bigger and more detailed picture of the product. Changing colors of the product is a breeze and the customer is provided with a great view of the product they are planning on purchasing.
VanHeusen.com uses the WordPress features very well. Drop down navigation is put to good use within the site. Each drop down looks very professional and organized, again aiding navigation and customer satisfaction.
One thing that I didn’t like about the website (or the company more so) is that the website doesn’t sell their product right from the site. Rather, when a customer clicks on the “Buy Now” button, a link to take them to the Kohl’s website appears. This is ineffective for the company’s image because it takes the customer away from the elegantly designed and planned site of Van Heusen to the Kohl’s website, which has a completely different cosmetic appearance. This could affect the customers perception of the product if they were to navigate through two completely different sites.
From the surface level, even on the first page of the site, the layout, theme and style all look very sharp and elegant. This elegant and dressy (yet simple) appearance accurately reflects Van Heusen’s products and business style. When a customer visits their professional web page, they will be impressed by the way the site looks. This is very useful for the company, because they can sell their product much more efficiently with a great looking site.
The navigation of the Van Heusen website was very simple and efficient for me to use. Browsing for clothing is made very simple and navigation to other parts of the site is very easy as well. When a customer goes to browse through shirts, for example, they are greeted with a very lush page with large, bright pictures of the models wearing the products. Another click to focus in on just one item and the customer is taken to an even bigger and more detailed picture of the product. Changing colors of the product is a breeze and the customer is provided with a great view of the product they are planning on purchasing.
VanHeusen.com uses the WordPress features very well. Drop down navigation is put to good use within the site. Each drop down looks very professional and organized, again aiding navigation and customer satisfaction.
One thing that I didn’t like about the website (or the company more so) is that the website doesn’t sell their product right from the site. Rather, when a customer clicks on the “Buy Now” button, a link to take them to the Kohl’s website appears. This is ineffective for the company’s image because it takes the customer away from the elegantly designed and planned site of Van Heusen to the Kohl’s website, which has a completely different cosmetic appearance. This could affect the customers perception of the product if they were to navigate through two completely different sites.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Mythology and Ideology
Mythology and Ideology are similar but separate entities. To create simple definitions of each, a Myth is a story that provides an explanation whereas an Ideology is a way in which we live.
Both Myths and Ideologies have a strong influence over our lives. They control the way we think, react and socialize without us even realizing it. The clearest example that I can provide for each would be the Christian Ideology and the mythological stories within the Bible.
In the Bible, many stories are told (particularly in the Old Testament) that help to explain the world as it came to be. These myths are how we explain phenomena in our every day lives (i.e. creation). Other stories (such as the ones from the New Testament) help to provide a clearer definition of the Christian Ideology and faith.
These are stories about Jesus Christ, his doings and his teachings. The lessons taught here are what Christians carry with them in every day life to guide their choices. Everything from what to eat, to how to treat others stems from the ideology provided within the Bible.
The myths and ideologies that we are raised on create significant impacts on our everyday lives. This ties into semiotics as well, altering out perception. With Christian values at your side, signified and signifiers may appear and be interpreted differently for a person. A cross isn’t much more than just a cross until you’re a Christian bible reader. (Or even someone who has read or learned from the bible)
Both Myths and Ideologies have a strong influence over our lives. They control the way we think, react and socialize without us even realizing it. The clearest example that I can provide for each would be the Christian Ideology and the mythological stories within the Bible.
In the Bible, many stories are told (particularly in the Old Testament) that help to explain the world as it came to be. These myths are how we explain phenomena in our every day lives (i.e. creation). Other stories (such as the ones from the New Testament) help to provide a clearer definition of the Christian Ideology and faith.
These are stories about Jesus Christ, his doings and his teachings. The lessons taught here are what Christians carry with them in every day life to guide their choices. Everything from what to eat, to how to treat others stems from the ideology provided within the Bible.
The myths and ideologies that we are raised on create significant impacts on our everyday lives. This ties into semiotics as well, altering out perception. With Christian values at your side, signified and signifiers may appear and be interpreted differently for a person. A cross isn’t much more than just a cross until you’re a Christian bible reader. (Or even someone who has read or learned from the bible)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Why use a CMS for a larger site?
There are many advantageous avenues to explore when you choose to use a Content Management System. Especially in instances where a larger site is being built, a CMS is the best choice.
Content Management Systems are often chosen by organizations and other site developers that have larger sites because they were made to handle many pages and large amounts of information. CMS are also handy for larger sites that require frequent updating.
According to smashingmagazine.com , a CMS can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. This cuts out the middle man process that can involve grueling and lengthy outsourcing for updating their websites. A CMS like WordPress, for instance, can be a breeze to update frequently. This also makes CMS popular amongst businesses and online stores, as they require constant updating.
Another advantage of CMS are their flexibility. According to the WordPress tutorial videos on Lynda.com, "(WordPress) can be whatever you want it to be". The flexibility provided amongst CMS (I'll just use WordPress for an example) provide organizations and developers with larger site a vast array of uses, making them a popular choice to manage large amounts of information.
Info from:
lynda.com
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/08/getting-started-with-content-management-systems/
Content Management Systems are often chosen by organizations and other site developers that have larger sites because they were made to handle many pages and large amounts of information. CMS are also handy for larger sites that require frequent updating.
According to smashingmagazine.com , a CMS can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. This cuts out the middle man process that can involve grueling and lengthy outsourcing for updating their websites. A CMS like WordPress, for instance, can be a breeze to update frequently. This also makes CMS popular amongst businesses and online stores, as they require constant updating.
Another advantage of CMS are their flexibility. According to the WordPress tutorial videos on Lynda.com, "(WordPress) can be whatever you want it to be". The flexibility provided amongst CMS (I'll just use WordPress for an example) provide organizations and developers with larger site a vast array of uses, making them a popular choice to manage large amounts of information.
Info from:
lynda.com
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/08/getting-started-with-content-management-systems/
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