Friday, September 25, 2009


The duck and decorated shed presents an interesting dichotomy for which buildings are presented and perceived. The Duck, which is an object to be viewed, where the building is the attraction may carry any number of effects but the primary mode of connecting with the viewer is more likely along the lines of an affect. The duck takes on a sculptural quality that may, like a piece of art, evoke a emotional response. The Decorated shed is more likely on the lines of creating effects that capture one's attention, but less likely to create spaces that affect one's perception of the space. Through the use of ornamentation, signs or decorations call the viewer's attention to first the signs, then to the building. The attention may not even necessarily be drawn to the building at all. The user may already be drawn inside without any conscious understanding of the building. For example, one may see the Golden Arches of a McDonald's, drive in the parking lot and enter the building without much attention paid to the building itself. The signage, ornamentation and colors all create effects of advertisement that the customer can understand but rarely deeper than this. Of course, there are some examples of ducks in McDonald's, but referring to the typical McDonald's franchise, the differentiation of effect and affect layout the contrast of decorated shed versus duck.

No comments:

Post a Comment