Our language is filled with confusing words and terms that can be difficult to get to grips with. The term visual communication is no exception!
Breaking down the term helps a little but still opens up a number of challenging questions:
This does not tell us how easy the image has to be to understand and in what form (painting, drawing, photo etc.) the work has to take. Confusing right?
So let’s not think about visual communication as a term with one end result but a world with many different visual outcomes. At its best, visual communication is a very powerful tool. The ability to communicate through images can enable artists and designers to challenge conventions, educate and inform the way people think. This is where things become really exciting!
The world of visual communication is huge. It enters into almost all aspects of our lives, from the food we buy (packaging design) to the books that we read, such as book cover and layout design.
Giving a full list of what this wonderful world contains would be hard (and probably a little boring) but there are certain areas in which visual communicators practice their craft, for example:
Typography
The use, creation and appreciation of words and letters in a creative way.
Explore Ellen and Lily’s individual work:
Moving image
The expression of visual communication through the use of time and sound. This can also be broken into film, animation, music or even dance.
Monoprint
Video: Harriet Godfrey-White. Harriet used a monoprint technique to capture the experience of Kings Cross station in this animation.
Illustration
The making of images to communicate a narrative or to sell an idea. This could be expressed through sequential narrative, or comics/graphic novels, book cover design, publication illustrations, online illustrations, and children’s books.
Find more of Texas' work on Instagram
Information design
The laying out of important information in an imaginative and innovative way. For example; signage, cartography (maps) or data analysis.
Find out more about Arjun’s work:
Arjun Harrison’s website
Photography
The ability to capture the world though the lens of a camera. Jobs in this field could include fashion photography, journalism, wildlife photography, documentary photography or studio based photography.
Digital media
This field is how designers navigate the new and fascinating digital world around us. Explorations could be expressed through website design, coding or programming.
Game visualisation
Video: © Bo Xu.
Immerse yourself in Bo’s work on Vimeo
