Cognitive Maps

Modern men carry themselves to their goals through a central image they organize in the mind, for the purpose of achieving goals step by step.

A cognitive map at the heart of the human spirit may provide creative directions of thought, in a random and unplanned fashion. The cognitive maps serve the construction and accumulation of spatial knowledge, enabling images to be visualized in order to reduce cognitive load, and improve memory and learning of information.

This type of spatial thinking can also be used as a tool for non-spatial tasks, when people who perform non-spatial memory-related tasks use spatial knowledge to help process the task.

The cognitive map is a spatial representation of the outside world information, that is preserved in the consciousness until an objective revelation of the requested knowledge is created.

Cognitive mapping is a mental mapping of information that is defined in the search for knowledge. Thus, In most cases, the cognitive map exists independently of the psychoanalytic map. Cognitive maps exist in various fields such as psychology, education, archeology, planning, geography, cartography, architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, management and history. As a result, many mental maps in these areas are often referred to by different names, such as: cognitive maps, mental maps, mind maps, scripts, schemas, and reference frames.

One of the applications of the cognitive map is carried out by urban theorists who ask the city dwellers to draw from their memory the city or place where they live. This tool allows the theorist to get an idea of which parts of the city or residence are more significant. This, in turn, throw light on the overwhelming idea of how to properly perform urban planning.

Different population groups need different presentations of reality, in the form of maps that reinforce personal tendencies. Children do not know much beyond the limited world of their lives, and they will draw the map in a way that greatly increases the objects they know, such as home, school, and the connecting way. Advertisers draw maps of the ways to shelves of products they market, in a way that puts them as a priority against others. In fact, anyone who aspires to change his world will draw a map in his imagination that is different from reality.

 Cognitive map is an illustration that combines the physical and mental environment

Map of Tokyo metro lines in cognitive and artistic style

Trip Maps

If life is art, the trip is a masterpiece. The pre-planning is an important component of the trip, which makes us enjoy it long before we started it. During the planning process, we are actually one step in the journey, with all that it means for the daily routine. The real journey is a journey to the imaginary land, because imagination is always a journey.

We often lack a guiding principle when planning a trip. Imagination takes us somewhere else, without really knowing what we want. The future traveler finds himself drifting, but he is dissatisfied with this escaping imagination. He needs a map. Each trip must include an accurate map, with a drawn path, stations, and schedules. The means of transportation, the attractions and the places of rest must all be included in the invitation to the trip, and they must also be displayed graphically.

The map of the trip is regularly carried on the garment during the trip, as the most loyal companion. The traveler takes it out of his pocket at every opportunity, not to know his location, but to ascertain whether the journey in reality matches the journey to the imaginary land he had planned in advance. Are the places suitable for what he thought about them, and whether he can produce the right inspiration. The inner self gets a gentle push, which pulls out of balance, and causes a healthy daydreaming movement. If the route is chosen carefully, it evokes a well defined poetic dream. The map of the trip, followed by other maps and dry data, are tools in pursuit of a seductive dream. We strive to realize our dreams during the trip, and it is a key opportunity in life to reach the threshold of their realization. 

This is why the meaning of the journey is very different for different travelers who make the same route. They want to find something new in what others seem to think as ordinary. They load, sometimes too much, their expectations of the trip, and there is no power in the world that might prevent them from being sucked into it. This is also because the actual trip is in unfamiliar roads, and there are many dangers in it. Unexpected events, planned and unplanned, occur on every trip.

The map of the trip is therefore a road story. A story in which every path and every place is interwoven with far-reaching descriptions. The story of the road becomes, after the trip, a life story. This is done through storytelling. After the journey, loaded with experiences and pictures, the traveller tells about the trip as part of the important sources of his lives, and do it as a storyteller, while carefully preserving the balance between the real and imaginary.

Woman engrossed in reading a trip map  in the middle of the street 

Tourist map of China with famous attractions

Animation

Basically animation is a graphic art that is not static, but rather uniquely run one frame after another, to create an illusion of a movie. It is a sequence of images, 2-D or 3D, that runs in a sequential order. The order is of  small action moves, of an object or character.

Animation from History to the Present

Some animations, originated as  sequential paintings by primitive people from the Paleolithic era, were found in caves in Europe. 

Shadow Puppetry, created in eastern Asian countries, is considerd an animation ancestor. 

More modern are animation works that were modified into simple or complex animation devices. Among them is the flip book, often using drawings, paintings, or photos. Slides projectors, cylinders with rotating cards, optical toys etc., are other well known instruments of animation. 

The present digital era of animation is far ahead of the sequential cave painting. There are computers, software, methodologies and process of work, to produce nice and quality animation works.

Animation Applications

Animation appear very well in the electronic media. Television and film industry have big exposure of animations. There are exclusive television channels that are showing animation movies. Advertisers prefer animated advertisement, acted with  attracting characters. Web media is packed with many animations. Websites have animated elements such as warning messages, links, buttons and logos. Web banners come frequently with an animation.  These stuffs make alive the web, with enchanting users feelings.

Animation Projects

Based on a story line, a series of images can be created and placed in a storyboard, that describe the sequence, events, ambiance, music, sound, voice, etc,. Storyboard is the descriptive document which explains steps of the progressing animated movie. It is a layout. Dimension and frame structure, graphics, characters, elements, background, objects, color scheme and so on,  has to be designed from the beginning. They  are produced based on the storyboard. In this way, the ambiance of the story can be kept in mind all along the making. 

Multiple animators are required for an Animation project. Animators have to take care of the screen play, story writing, direction, actions, expressions, etc,. 

The interface of the animation movie storyboard must be user-friendly and correct. This quality add value to the animation material against the competition. 

Animation Characters

Animation characters are highly demanded in both 2-D and 3-D animation fields. This is similar to acting stars in a movie or stage show. The animation character must look friendly to the audience. The character must be shown with feelings, thinking, reaction, consistency, dress code and mood, just as a human being.

AniBoom has many upcoming projects of animation proects promotions, as well as introducing many animators. AniBoom promotes events and opportunities for aspirant animators. Many events like seminars, workshops, training and contests are designed to help the aspirants through the Internet.

About the Author

Shakir A. 

Shakir A. is an independent writer on topics like marketing of products and services through electronic media, especially for Entertainment, creatives and movies. For details Log on to ''AniBoom".

Cartoons

There is saying: ''a picture is worth 1000 words''. Cartoon, originally, is a hard paper board used for impressing shapes. This concept is also used for making graphics popularly know as cartoons. Cartoons as such are pictorial impressions created by cartoonists. They are drawings or pictures in a full-size pattern, for graphic expression in any available information channel.

Cartoons are popular because of their funny expression of truth in life. They often make us laugh. They convey a message that strike to the heart of the matter. Cartoon graphics must communicate ideas very quickly. Cartoons should strike the viewer and provide food for thought. Cartoonists insert a thought on any frame they create. Elusive feelings like sorrow, happiness, anger etc., are issued in them, but  in an articulated way.

Cartoons have categories bases on events or instances such as Business, Office, Sales, Babies, Family, Kids, Marriage, Animals, Pets, Professions, Politics, Psychiatry, Science, Education, Teaching, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, and others. Cartoons are used in Newspapers, Newsletters, Advertising, Websites, Presentations, Magazines, Books, Greeting cards, Blogs, Textbooks, Internet, Intranets, Manuals, Cover sheets and anything else that could benefit from a good expression and pronounciation. Cartoons can be customized with logo design, mascots, symbols, etc.

Caricatures and cartoons

Many artists can drow caricatures. Caricatures are funny and/or critical cartoons commenting on any activity done by real people. Following some activities and expressing them in pictorial can be a  tough job for regular graphic artists. Cartoonists can make it easily as it is his/her skill. A Cartoonist can draw comically distorted drawings on any activity. Making caricatures of politicians and celebrities is a common and popular practice. Many daily newspapers employ a cartoonist for publishing daily cartoons on political issues, social issues and other issues, with a touch of comic expression. 
The greatest political cartoonist of the late 19th century was Thomas Nast, who was noted for his cartoon crusades against political corruption in the United States. Nast popularized the symbols of the country's major political parties and leaders in a form of cartoons.
In television there are many exclusive cartoon programs, with the  purpose of attracting the viewers. Their impacts can be conveyed for delivering important messages.

Cartoon Characters

Cartoon Characters can look like real human beings, or can be totally imaginary. In any case they show human activities, like feelings, thinking, reaction, consistency, dress code and moods. There are many exclusive cartoon characters, and some of them made their creators very famous.

Cartoonists

Cartoonists have the born qualities for creating graphics for their livelihood. Their practice, opportunity and interest, take them to a respected position. They are aware of many things happening around. They have such ideas and thoughts that can be utilized for society. Many cartoonists are degree holders in fine arts or graphics design. Many of them are skilled also in computer technology for advanced implementation. They come across many experiments, to explore many creativities and ideas during their studies work. Their competitive environment might help them a lot in career building.

AniBoom has many promoting events and opportunities for aspirant cartoonists and graphics artists. The events, like seminars, workshops, and contests, are helping many aspirants worldwide.

About the Author

 Shakir A.

Shakir A. is an independent writer on topics like marketing of products and services through electronic media, especially for Entertainment, creatives and movies. For details log on to ''aniboom''.

Comics Thoughts

You there. Yes, you, the one who likes comics, don't be shy, step forward. There are very few forms of expression as misunderstood as this. Decades of prejudice have created the stereotype that the 9th art is an immature, simplistic stupidity concerning men with muscles and tights, able to fly and explode stuff, suitable only for the smaller ages and yet better off without it. Well, if that's how much you know about the subject, allow me to observe that you know nothing at all.

There were always comic books not like those indifferent ones that come out every month in vast quantities. If you just know where to look, there's no way you won't find something valuable, even in a huge industry like this one. 

I'm talking about those interesting, dark, realistic or not, innovative, ground breaking stories, that come accompanied by captivating art. Each issue is a work of art on its own, every month coming to you in an approachable price and form. 

Today, more than ever, with hundreds of different titles being published every month, there's a whole pile of junk threatening to overwhelm us. 

But fear not, the same applies for those great comics, that seem to be taking the place they rightfully deserve, in the hearts of readers and the minds of critics.

Some of the greatest creators in related fields have turned to comics, and that's not accidental. Writers and artists worked together in this brave new world, using its potential: Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Alan Moore, Frank Miller and so many more. 

All of them are proof that it's not kid cartoons we're talking about, but a new form of art, with an adult target group, destined to change the way we think about text and picture, using a combination of them in a way, maybe not that traditional as literature, but promising and fresh. 

It took some hard years for the comics industry to grow up and get wise, but the mistakes of the past have helped. The production is now evenly matched with the demand, the companies are more responsible and the readers significantly more mature and demanding. Comic reading is no more for the geeks, or for those too bored to read a book, or even only for the guys. People who would be concerned to be totally irrelevant to the subject, nowadays show a great interest in these new suggestions, that are willing to get you to places none ever took you before.

Arm yourselves with patience and persistence. The quest ahead of you is hard, but a promising one. You might stumble upon cheap art, naive stories and uninspired characters, but keep searching. For there are some worth it, capable of traveling with you to lands unreachable and dreams unspoken. You may lose yourselves in magic stories and even better, you may reappear a better person. It happens every day!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eleutherios Borrias

Eleutherios Borrias is the owner of ''Comic Art'' and a passionate fan of Comics. You can, in his website, find some great info ofcomics and especially of DC Comics and Marcel Comics.