I recently bought the original Left 4 Dead video game. There I stood in Best Buy, trying to figure out if I wanted to buy BioShock or Left 4 Dead, and I think I may have chosen Left 4 Dead because of its cover design. I'm standing there, with all these games in my hands and then I thought to myself, "Self, that's really kind of cool how they used four fingers on that zombie hand for 'Left 4 Dead', and then they used only 2 zombie fingers on Left 4 Dead 2.' 
The use of the number four in place of the word "for" and the zombie hand with its fingers outstretched in a cry of pain and desire to grab you and tear you apart is all making use of the rule of figure/ground. You know that the 4 isn't a number but a word. That hand not only lends itself to both the '4' or '2,' but also that nasty, mean, exhilarating zombie that awaits you. You don't see the zombie, but you know its there.
Yup, the use of gestalt on this cover actually made me want to slay these zombies over the zombies of BioShock. Because if you're going to save a world, it better be world with good design.
Alison,
ReplyDeleteAs someone who's played both Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2, I was incredible entertained by your example. It's true - you don't see that zombie, but you know s/he is there. I just, for one, hope it's not a spitter, charger, tank, or, GASP, a disturbed Witch.
I don't play games often, but usu at a yearly beach trip with friends these two come out of the box. Good analysis and unique example.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!
paul