Friday, May 22, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Fun With Warning Labels

FARM EQUIPMENT
For the storyboarding class we take a look at images that may or may not convey the basic idea. Warning labels seem to be a good place to start and this time we will have a look at labels found on tractor attachments such as threshers and spreaders.Now storyboarding is build a sequence of images (panels) to show story progression and action as well as other factors of story. Bujt the point of this excersise is to be sure each image is clear and readable on its own and works with the other panels that will preceed and follow it.

Warning labels like these may be difficult to understand without text. So I encourage my students to use clarity and not muddle their compositions. However the captions one does come up with when ignoring text on some of these labels can bring about a smile or two. Even better are those cations that go with teh warnings that are not accompanied with text. FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR OWN!!Hmmm....Danger: babies may crawl out of implement while in use. Your ankles and wrists will be beaten with rulers if they opperate equipment in a disembodied state.
It looks like that "bistander" is moving...don't bi-STAND-ers stand? Shouldn't it say pedestrians? Those move...anyway...
Danger: On rare occasions little sparkly things will shoot out at people who dance or cheer to close to equipment. Operators will always look indifferently at vicims.
Danger: Avoid mating with equipment for obvious reasons.
-or-
Danger: getting wrapped up in your work can be hazardous to your health.

Here's a spreader nozzle. I don't even have a clue what this label is trying to warn me about.
Danger: Sometimes pulling the key out of the ignition will throw a wrench into your manual.
Danger: You may find yourself in box if you use this equipment. Sometimes the box may be in you.
Danger: There is a big black box in your pants that wants to come out.
Danger: NO Hand Jives

Below are examples of no text labels. Did you get the same things out of these?
danger: Do not kick the spinning ninja star.
Danger: Do not try to catch the spinning ninja star with your foot.
Danger: Do not stick your left foot in, pull your left foot out, don't shake it all about and whatever you do, DON'T do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself around...
Operation of this machinery while drunk with friends with rifles, may force you to end up in a pine box or vise-versa.
Caution: The book you are about to read has pages that get progressively smaller toward the center.

Let me know what you come up with.