War of the Words

As an employee of a research organization, academic writing and jargon are everyday parts of my life. I try to decrease the Lard Factor when I can, but it’s a losing battle. Sometimes I think the organization actually tries to not appeal to people.

Case in point: the titles of the organization’s reports.

This week, I was asked to vote for the title of our next report and the options were wordy to say the least.

At least we’re giving readers an accurate preview of what’s to come.

Show and Tell: The Art of Definition

A good definition makes complicated things easy to understand by using strong words and translating images. Consumer Reports was the first publication that came to mind in my search for a strong verbal definition. A gift from my dad for years, Consumer Reports explains and reviews almost any product imaginable. Shower heads, grocery stores, lawn mowers, televisions, multivitamins, house paint - you name it, they report about it.

I surprisingly didn't find an explanation of a household item, but came across this explanation of sleep apnea and its effect on the body:

"The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by inhaled air squeezing through narrowed airways in the mouth, nose, or throat, causing flabby tissue to vibrate. That noisy snoring is often first noticed by family members or bed partners. Sometimes the airways close off, preventing airflow to the lungs and causing breathing lapses for as long as 2 minutes. As blood-oxygen levels fall and carbon-dioxide blood levels rise, the brain is triggered to interrupt sleep. The sleeper awakens suddenly, struggling to breathe, often choking, snorting, and gasping until normal breathing resumes."

Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. Thanks, Consumer Reports.

Matter in Question

Artist Shana Moulton gathered logos from various women's organizations and her collection is now displayed in an image-based essay, Squiggles, Trees, Ribbons and Spirals: My Collection of Women’s Health, Beauty and Support Group Logos as the Stages of Life in Semi-Particular Order. All of the logos in the essay incorporate smooth lines,  and include an image of a body or some reference to nature.

Well-designed or not, are these logos simply targeting their audience or are they stereotypical?

Show and Tell: Bad Food Photography

The primary goal of food photography is to make an ingredient or dish look irresistible. It is more difficult than one might think, but it is surprising how often that goal isn’t achieved even in popular cooking and food magazines.

Take a look at this image from Cooking Light for example:

Risotto is delicious and this portrayal makes it appear exactly the opposite. It’s hard to tell it is even risotto in that bowl and any elements of color or texture are completely lost. The image also applies one of the most overused and amusingly simple strategies for making food look appetizing: “Stick a fork in it.”

Luckily for us, Cooking Light is capable of better:

About Faced

My face gives me away every time. Thanks to my knack for facial expression, nearly all of my feelings and reactions are quickly made obvious to those around me.

It can be embarrassing.

Dinner at boyfriend's parent's house
[face]
"That's OK, dear. You don't have to have any if you don't want to!"

It can be supportive.

Meeting with boss
[face]
"Good, I'm glad you like it."

It can be funny.

Styling a friend
[face]
"I'll ditch the necklace."

Sometimes I'm convinced my face has a mind of its own.

As a person who notices and therefore reacts to a lot of things, I should err on the side of caution more frequently. But I enjoy being observant and having animated reactions. That's why bold-faced was created. To express, facially or otherwise, my thoughts on the many things I see. Enjoy.