Evaluating Images, Graphics and Visual Design

56 − 52 = 4 more boxes.

The vertical axis starts at 50 instead of 0 (a truncated axis), so only the part above 50 is shown: 2 for A and 6 for B. That makes B's bar three times as tall even though the difference is small.

We CRUSHED it! It tells viewers to see a huge victory, which, together with the truncated axis, exaggerates a small difference.

That the mayor is powerful, confident or important, because the viewer is looking up at them.

Any two: key facts are tiny and low-contrast; it doesn't say age or cost; the dark mood and HACK THE WORLD give a misleading impression of risky hacking; it could scare off beginners and parents; it shows only one kind of person.

Sample: Four laughing teens of different backgrounds sit at a library table with laptops; one teen uses a wheelchair. (Good alt text is short and describes what matters for the meaning.)

When the icon gets twice as tall, it usually also gets twice as wide, so its area is about four times bigger. Viewers compare areas, so a doubling looks like quadrupling.

To cut away part of it, changing what the viewer sees.

At 0.

Describing an image in words so people using screen readers (for example, people who are blind or have low vision) understand it.

Eye level.

Criteria.

The cropping hides how many people were actually there, and the anchor text (Huge crowd) claims something the full scene might not support. It may give an inaccurate impression. A fair version would show a wider shot or report an estimated number.

It's hard to read for everyone, and especially for people with low vision, in bright light or on small screens. It fails the accessibility criterion and may hide important information.

Anchor text shapes meaning. One image can support opposite messages depending on the words beside it and the creator's purpose.

People with colour vision deficiency may not tell the colours apart, and colours mean different things in different cultures. Adding labels, symbols or patterns makes the meaning clear to everyone.

No. Scientists sometimes use one to show small but important changes (for example, a body temperature graph from 36 to 40 °C). It is fair when it is clearly marked and used to show detail, not to exaggerate a difference.

Intended audience (adults who exercise): the low angle makes the athlete look powerful, bright light feels energetic, and the slogan connects the product to strength. It's effective at persuading. Unintended audience (children who see it during a sports broadcast): the same exciting visuals appeal strongly to kids, while the warning is in tiny print that children are unlikely to read. Judgment: the design is effective for selling but not responsible: the visual hierarchy hides important safety information. A fairer design would make the warning readable and prominent.

Use an honest graph (axis from 0, both bars labelled 52 and 56), and choose anchor text that's accurate and generous, such as Thank you, Larkspur Bay! Together, Stores A and B collected 108 boxes. Store B led by 4! It keeps Store B's real achievement without misleading viewers or putting down Store A.

Model: The cereal box's front uses a huge cartoon mascot and bright colours, which make it clear and appealing to young children. However, the claim "Part of a healthy breakfast" sits beside a photo of fruit and milk that aren't in the box, which gives an inaccurate impression of the product. The nutrition facts are on the side in small print, so the visual hierarchy hides the most important information for parents. The text has good contrast, but the photo has no description for people who can't see it. Overall, the box is effective for selling but not fully accurate or accessible. (Look for: criteria named, evidence, a judgment.)