Identifying visual communications – exercise 1

Found examples of visual communications made into info poster for my learning log

I gathered images from newspapers, magazines and screenshots from internet as examples of the 6 different types of communications as outlined in the course notes which are:

1. Persuasion
2. Information
3. Identity design
4. Authorial content
5. Interactive design
6. Alternative messages

These images make reference to the broader ideas of visual culture by having their own meaning to readers. The cultural context of each of the ‘messages’ will change depending on who the reader is and their own social groups, existing memories, associations and understanding of their world. Looking at some of the images collected this is how they may relate to visual culture:

1. Persuasion – save eastern black rhino campaign.  They’ve mostly used text but have given their campaign instant credibility by adding a picture of Sir David Attenborough, known in our culture for life times work with wildlife, an authoritative figure, this helps to influence and persuade that this is a serious situation and campaign is endorsed by Sir David.
2. Information – trainline figure. This image has clean straight lines suggesting quick and efficient. The design looks similar to a London Tube diagram so it should be familiar to most people as a way of representing transport information.
3. Identity design – Timberland. The photograph shows a man with a tattooed hand fastening up sturdy yellow boots, but not lacing the eyes of the boots all the way up the boots. Suggesting young, non conforming ruggedness or slovenly boot tying!
4. Authorial content – Graphic novel Girl with Dragon Tattoo. Dark, martial arts, alternative ‘grungy’ look to appeal to punky attitudes.
5. Interactive design – Shakespeare game. This was designed by 13 years olds to play out the murder of Duncan by Macbeth, it quotes Macbeth as well as allowing weapon selection with points. It looks like adventure game but using Shakespeare, so it’s education but aimed at an audience used to playing web games.
6. Alternative messages – Feminist button pins. Small portable messages, button pins suggest campaigning and personal messages to be carried around, subtle yet confirming that you belong to a group.

With visual culture it is safe to assume that someone else will interpret these messages completely differently and would select a different set of examples to show types of visual communications messages.  So from this exercise we can also see that some of my own visual culture is reflected in the choices of examples I presented!