First Impressions

Jamie Gomez

Everyone has first impressions.

You had a first impression when you

first glanced at this book.

Consciously or not you tried to figure

out the content by looking at the

front cover.

We as humans can use our first

impressions of others as a defense

mechanism. We can choose things

that we dont feel are going to be of any use, a waste of time or a

potentially dangerous situation in a

matter of seconds simply from a

negative first impression.

If you look or talk to a stranger, it

is easily possible to create a life

story for them based on the way

they are dressed, talk or behave.

We deconstruct this information and

create a first impression judged by

out perceptions without gaining a

full understanding. of the subject.

Based on their personal first

impression, most graphic designers

try to gain meaning from everything

visual around them, but by having a

deeper knowledge and understanding

of first impressions, the

communication in your design will

improve.

It is very important, when visually

communicating, to try and break this

barrier and think in different ways.

Try and see the world through the

eyes of the person you are trying to

communicate with and understand

what their first impressions are.

What turns them on and off?

To further understand how first

impressions work I have tried to

understand the first impressions of

people and from that I will be able

to transfer the skills to good graphic

design.

The idea is to ask people one

question and hopefully from their

answers I could gain a deeper

understanding of first impressions.

The interesting thing about this idea

is that when you ask people this

question, you already have a first

impression imprinted into your mind.

When the question is answered, you

are often shocked and the way you

deconstruct first impressions starts to

change.

Test yourself and see if your first

impressions are correct.

Dont Judge A Book By Its Cover. Its Easier Said Than Done.

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What do you think peoples first impression is of you?

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Yeah, I have got a friendly face, everyone loves my face.

Connor

I guess I am upbeat, enthusiastic,

well I hope so. I never want to

offend anyone, thats why I always

try to appear approachable and

treat everyone how I would want

to be treated.

Mattheias

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I reckon that my first impression is

that I am approachable and friendly.

I have to be, because if I was not,

I should really not be a comedy

club promoter.

Kosta

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I feel like people look at me and

think I am dangerous. I get the

feeling that people feel uncertain

around me.

Roy

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Yeah, like I said, Im busy

Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

No, Im busy.

Youre waiting for a bus

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Vincent I would say I am good looking and

relaxed, well thats the impression that

I try to give off.

I think that everyone has an ideal

first impression, its whether they

create it or not.

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Were approachable, I hope that we come across that way, if we didnt

then we are not really doing our

job well.

Lisa & Terry

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Good looking. Arrogant.

Fashionable. Enough said really...

Andrew & Gabriel

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I would say that I am easy to know,

happy, smiley and approachable,

although not alot of people do

approach me.

Antti

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You alright mate, do you mind if I

ask you a few questions?

Nah, Nah, I saw that you are

giving out cds and I wanted to ask you what type of tunes you make.

Sounds good man, can I get a copy?

Here ya go, here is 3 quid.

The Cd is blank

Your not from the council are you?

Oh yeah, ha, no worries man, yeah I

make everything man, indie with hip

hop over the top, yeah man, its new

and its fresh.

Yeah of course man, pay how ever

much you think its worth.

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In order to become more sensitive to body language we have to get feedback on how accurate our interpretations and impressions are.

C. Kleinke (1975)

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Nevid, J, S, Rathus (2007)

It is important to make a positive first impression, especially because first impressions tend to become lasting impressions.

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I am good looking, thats about it. Just one good looking guy.

Tony

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I am a phycologist, I find it very

interesting that you have asked me

this question, because it is a very

difficult question to answer. I would

say that I am absent minded.

Makku

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I do not know. People normally say

I am straight talking, I do not know

if that is the impression I give off.

I do not go around giving opinions,

if people ask me to give my opinion,

I do.

Lin

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I think that people look at me and

think, mum because its what I am and I base my life around

my children.

Margret

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I would say the same thing, as

margret, Im a grandma, I love my grand children, and when people

normally look at an old person, they

always think the same thing, old or

grandparent.

Beth

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AndyA lot of people think I am a police

man, because of the uniform.

Out of my work clothes I would

say I am quite arrogant, very loud

and very chatty, I wont be quiet for

more than five minutes.

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I think people would think I am shy.Im quite loud, people normally look at me like, what a weirdo.

I would rather not say

Selena AlisonI recon people look at me think Im good looking, ha, oh my god that

sounded so bad, but I am

quite pretty.

BeccaAlex

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My first impression would be, oh dont mess with him, he looks a

bit tough guy, when infact I am the

most harmless guy you will meet.

I think its the hair or lack of, that

gives the impression Im a hard nut. Im a pianist. would not have thought that would ya?

Jay

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I would say I appear focused. I know what I want and I know how

to get it. If I dont know how to get

it, ill find out.

Dave

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Look I dont have time for your

questions and stuff, I cant stop and talk because I have lots of contracts

with many important people. Im a busy man you know.

Gold men

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Anthony &

People look at us and think were a happy couple because thats what

we are.

Miriam

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Tim, Joe,

What? Right now? People probably

think we look like a bunch of idiots.

What more would you expect on a

stag do.

Dan & Robin

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I am a teacher, so it depends

whether the person views me at

work or not. at work, Im that teacher that no one messes with, and I have

created that impression. Outside of

work, I give off the impression of just

a normal person, casual.

Linda

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Im not doing any of your pschycology shit mate

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Piss off and just let me get on with

my work, alright?

Bin Man

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Approachable. I have to be. If I was

not approachable, you wouldnt have

picked to choose me to talk to. It

is important for my job that I am

approachable, otherwise I would not

make any money and lose my job.

Soueff

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People think Im wild because of the hair, the piercings and my outer

image. I think that puts people off

getting to know me.

Im down to earth, people just dont bother to get to know me because

of my outer shell.

Joanne

Well, Ive got a story to tell about that. To cut a long story short, or not,

I was in the car, totally disorientated

and saw a car coming towards me

with a woman driving. There was

a woman and a man in the car

together and she had her hand over

her mouth screaming, and thats when

I realised that something had

happened to me and it wasnt somebody else.

Then, I thought oh my, I can feel wetness. I was drinking a can of orange at the time and I thought that

it had just gone all over me and then

I realised the car was full of smoke

and I could smell petrol and I thought,

If I dont get out of here Im going to be dead.I went into fight mode. and

I thought I ve got to get out of the car.

The car was totally buckled from

behind and the two back doors were

buckled inwards. I leaned across to

the passenger side and I looked at

the door and knew I wouldnt be able to open it. I noticed that the drivers

side door next to the seat I was

sitting in was the only way out