Chapter 8-Constructing Meaning

This chapter is basically an essential read for all designers. The focus of the section discusses the ways to communicate designs as well as ways to go about presenting and conveying ideas. Mary Stewart goes through a thorough breakdown of essential tools that can be used in the design world. Everything from understanding iconography and the many other ways that ideas can be conveyed, understanding aesthetics and anesthetics, to the section discussing Post-Modernism and Modernism were all pertinent information to me. The best thing I got out of the section was the discussion on metaphor where Stewart suggested studying connotations of common phrases such as "I have have butterflies in my stomach". I also enjoyed reading the part where the 5 common Post-Modernist approaches were discussed. Many of them I did know but the get an in-depth reading on it helped me to rethink my own understanding and possible reference in the future. Overall, this was a great chapter, especially because I am a graphic designer.