The effects of visual information

Since a number of years, research has been done on the effects of visual information. During these studies the focus was on cognitive processes when text and images are combined.

In the past there has never investigated the influence of graphical design. The western culture is focussed on the design of visual information and proffesor Annemarie Quispel is currently doing research with the focus on the users of visual information. One of the reasons why she is focusing on the users is that there are differences between people in their visual abilities. Their are two groups of people who look otherwise to visual information. The first group may well remember objects in patterns and the second group is focussed on the relation between parts, such as different parts in pictures and is more analytical. Another study suggested that the first group mainly consists of the design- and art people and the second group consists of engineers. At the moment, Annemarie is focusing at these two groups and she is developing an experiment with routes on a map which the groups must perform. The prediction is that the design- en art people more look at the shapes of the routes and the engineers describe the routes from A to B. The important question is whether the prediction will come true? 

Queensday in the Netherlands

It is only two days before queensday starts at the Netherlands. Queensday is always a huge happening in the largest cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Most of the people celebrate queensdag in Amsterdam with a considerable number of acts by famous artists and various DJ's at the Museumplein. 

The queen visits each year a different city in the Netherlands and this year she visits 'the white city Thorn' and the city Weert in the province Limburg. The first city is known for its white houses and culture and Weert is one of the largest cities in Limburg. The royal family will take a walk through the cities and during this walk there are different activities performed by the inhabitants.

Specifically for this major event is a website (http://www.koninginnedag2011.nl/) developed with all the information about Thorn & Weert, the activities, day program etcetra. The developers of the website did not forget the social media. They linked Twitter, Facebook, Hyves and Flickr with information about Queensday @ Thorn and Weert to the above website. Since more and more people make use of social media is this a perfect tool to alert people on changes in the city, preparations, communications and information about the program. Hopefully, there is enough communicated about these social media so everyone is well aware on this day.

For everyone a great Queensday and for people who want to visit Thorn or/and Weert, check the social media!

Dating sites

During the last lecture of social aspects of new media there was talked about romantic relations online. Most of these romantic relations arise through a dating site.There are general dating sites where people can create a profile with information about their age, gender, length, posture, interests etcetera and these dating sites are accessible for everyone.  Furthermore, there are also dating sites which are focused on a specific group or with the same interests. In the Netherlands are not many of these sites but other countries have the most diverse dating sites. Have you ever heard about Jewish singles, sugardaddie or wealthy men? These dating sites are examples for specific interests or groups. Do you think that it is important that people from the Netherlands also can use these sites to meet other people in this country?