Extension Project C

     When I began looking for visual rhetoric around campus, the most common trend I found was visual warnings of construction. Every corner I turned around near the Viking Union had some sort of construction site sign on the chain-linked fence or wall. Throughout all these signs, I found many trends. Each of them caught your eye with one simple glance by using bright colors and words that made sure you knew there was construction going on. The visuals made it clear that there was a possible danger around. The colors that were represented in each of the visual rhetorics included orange, red, and yellow, with black font to show contrast and the importance of the messages. The words on the signs included messages that said “Warning”, “DETOUR”, “CAUTION”, and “NO TRESPASSING”,  all catching your attention within seconds of seeing the signs. The size of the caution signs were also not very large, but were big enough to show the intensity of their intentions. Each of them also had images and descriptions of what was going on as well. Images included bicycles, a walking pedestrian, exclamation marks, and hazard triangles. The visuals of these caution signs portrayed a message so clear and so distinct that everybody around knew what was going on. With the combination of the usage of colors, symbols, sign size and shape, and words, each of these signs showed that danger of construction was around. These objects were meant to convey the thought of caution to pedestrians and bicycles moving around the construction as its going on. Although they did not convey true fear, right when I saw them I immediately knew to be careful of the situation and beware of any dangers that could possibly happen around the construction site. They were purposefully placed right around the construction site so there was no question about safety for faculty.