JUST ONE CLICK AWAY

      In the past two decades the use of computers has exponentially increased, along with this increase comes the need for icon design. Icons are symbols that, when in reference to technology, are used to open up programs. Over time they have changed greatly. At first icons had a simplicity to them and were not very exciting. Now, the icons are bright, colorful, and sometime two-dimensional.  
     The idea of the icon is rather fascinating if you ask me. One little symbol like the safari button can open up a world of information or by clicking the Itunes button you have the ability to access any music, movies, or podcasts that you would want. Daily, one clicks on icons and doesn't realize the extent of necessity we have on them.

REALLY ROUND UP?

     You know what it is, not only does greek life at the University of Texas go crazy about it but people drive from LSU, A&M, TCU, TECH, and many other colleges just to join in on the fun. This fun involves large amounts of beer, neon, and music. Sororities produce mass quantities of shirts with headlines such as "Think Theta" or "Be a DG." Everyone wears them, guys and girls alike (even if it is hot pink). So the question is why do greeks do this?
     Round up is considered to be a recruitment event publicly for fraternities and secretly for sororities. When the partying begins sororities hope their letters will be worn loud and proud by everyone in their chapter but more importantly by guys in top tier fraternities. Aside from all the fun and games, it's a weekend of publicity and competition. Good sororities will be seen everywhere throughout roundup and represented by "gentlemen."
     Greek letters are symbols that many people choose to be associated with in college. For many they represent a sisterhood or brotherhood, for others a place to party, or some a connection towards their future.  Roundup is just an example of the extreme people go to in order to wear their letters loud and proud.

picture: "Texas Exes." Texas Exes - University of Texas Alumni Association. Web. 25 Mar. 2011. <https://www.texasexes.org/blog/>.

STEREOTYPES DERIVED FROM SYMBOLS

      You're walking through campus. It's just a typical day. As you make your way to your next class you are just one of the crowd doing the same. While you may see your best friend, old lover, or last year's lab partner, there are also several individuals whom you have never seen and never will again. All of the people that you see most often have specific characteristics about them that cause you to naturally form an opinion on them before you even interact. If you see a girl with blond hair, this may spark an immediate reaction of curiosity on how she got into the University of Texas because she most definitely does not look that smart. Yet, if you see an asian, most often, one automatically assumes they worked hard and have an outstanding GPA. Maybe you see a person wearing glasses, of which you then associate them as being naturally intelligent. As you can see, it's so easy to take some physical characteristic about a person and place them in category not relating to that idea. Qualities such as ethnicity, disabilities, or traits can make us in a matter of seconds form an opinion on someone. Even though these symbols lack substance and truth, society has still created them and caused us to look at people differently because of them.

MISUNDERSTOOD SYMBOLS

PEACE SIGN:
Even though we are no longer in the 70's, seeing a peace sign on a shirt, bracelet, sticker or elsewhere is not uncommon today. The slogan,  "peace.love. [xyz]" is frequently used, and even overdone if you ask me. However, after some research on a symbol that we often encounter on our daily lives I found that its literal origination has one distinct meaning. The creation of the peace sign can be understood through this diagram. It shows how the symbol can be translated to "nuclear disarmament." I'm sure people walking around with shirts made for their clubs are not advocating this idea but maybe more so the general idea of peace, maybe they sure start using a dove instead.

SWASTIKA: 
The swastika, now seen as something very negative and frowned upon, was not originally like this. Prior to Hitler it was turned into a symbol that became associated with the Nazi moment. Originally it was used by several different religions and acted as a symbol of hope.
Sadly, the symbol has been removed from several historical things and can no longer be used.





FLEUR DE LIS: 
Originating in the 12th century, the symbol represents royalty and higher power. Some even claim that it is symbolic of the holy trinity. Yet, today in America this symbol would not be seen as representation for either. Now, it is known as a symbol for the New Orleans Saints NFL team and seen worn by girls casually as jewelry.

Web. 23 Mar. 2010. <http://www.northernsun.com/images/imagelarge/Peace-Sign-Sticker-(5150).jpg>.

"Fleur-de-lis." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Mar. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur-de-lis>.

"Swastika." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Mar. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika>.

CONNOTATIONS WITH COLOR

Although it is not a shape, color very much so takes on symbolic meaning in our lives. We associate different feelings and situations with certain colors. It can also lead us to think of certain products or particular places we may go. Depending on the culture, these feelings may be different. Below is a breakdown and examples of some common colors which influence our daily lives.

Red has become a symbol associated with power and status. As seen to the right Taylor Swift is wearing Christian Louboutin's. These shows have a red sole and are sought after by women all around the world. With an average price of 700 dollars, they are not easily affordable and anybody wearing such an item is most definetely seen as exclusive. Red also demonstrates in this picture another status symbol through the "red carpet," an idea associated mainly with celebrities.

In the state of Texas, the color of burnt orange is unanimously favored. Through its originality I would even argue that it can be identified nationwide in association with The University of Texas. For those longhorn alumni and fans the color symbolizes pride, and domination amongst athletics and academics. For those of us here at Texas, it acts a motivation to succeed and represent our school in a way that continues to promote its outstanding reputation. 

The color yellow is something that just symbolizes happiness. Items such as sunflowers, the sun itself or even smiley faces are associated with bright and joyous occasions. While a light yellow can create subtle feelings of delight, a bold-bright yellow can illicit feelings of excitement and extreme cheerfulness. We can even dive deeper and look into the fact that people feel more upbeat and happy on bright, sunny days causing this color to naturally have this connection.  

EVOLUTION OF LOGOS

Displayed below are logos that have been modified over the years. Many changed to model other visual elements similar to that of society. Mostly all symbols now take on more modern characteristics. Some of the logos were able to eventually get rid of the name because they became so known in society such as Shell and Pepsi. Some brands changed their images in order to correspond with the new brand images they were attempting to become.

APPLE:

BMW:

 FORD:

PEPSI:

SHELL:

POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION

          With almost an equal amount in supporters, both the Democratic and Republican Party remains pretty split down the middle. Many people define themselves in terms of their values and beliefs based on their political party while others let their values and beliefs define their political party. No matter which you choose, you most likely take on association with one party or the other. These two main parties have their own symbols they are associated with. The Democratic Party is represented through the donkey, while the elephant is used to represent the Republican Party (as seen below).

            The donkey came about during Andrew Jackson’s election. Many people associated him as being a “jackass.” Jackson embraced the political cartoon’s insult and used it to further his political campaign. The elephant was adopted soon after when another cartoon ad was used that presented an elephant standing up to a donkey. Oddly enough, both parties reasoning for choosing these symbols goes back to their desire of being appeared as tough and immovable.

Whether you choose to be a donkey or an elephant in America you, it has become a defining characteristic of people in our society. It determines where our money goes, how we vote, and other important choices we make.