In the same way that literacy enables us to read, interpret and communicate using the written word, visual literacyVisual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image, extending the meaning of literacy, which commonly signifies the interpretation of a written or printed text. The term “visual literacy” was defined in 1969 by John Debes, the founder of the International Visual Literacy Association, as: “Visual Literacy refers to a group of vision-competencies a human being can develop by seeing and at the same time having and integrating other sensory experiences. The development of these competencies is fundamental to normal human learning. When developed, they enable a visually literate person to discriminate and interpret the visible actions, objects, symbols, natural or man-made, that he encounters in his environment. Through the creative use of these competencies, he is able to communicate with others. Through the appreciative use of these competencies, he is able to comprehend and enjoy the masterworks of visual communication.” – John Debes, 1969 Since this definition by Debes, researchers and practitioners have re-defined ever more complex definitions that reflect the breadth of its applications. The term itself takes on different meanings in different contexts and you will therefore encounter new ideas in education, science, graphic design, art, refers to the ability to interpret and create visual images and communicate ideas and meaning.
It applies to, not only traditional artArt refers to a diverse range of human intellectual and expressive activities and the outcomes of those activities. Within this context art is further defined as visual art and includes painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography and work made using digital media. forms, areas of designDesign shapes ideas to become practical solutions and propositions for customers and users. Design is all around us, everything man made has been designed. The majority of designers work in teams, following a design brief and a process towards realising a commercially driven product, building, system or service and architecture, but also digital and contemporary mediaDifferent materials used by artists, such as paint, charcoal, clay and thread. Media is the plural of MEDIUM. In this context, it refers to the thing, substance or process you use to produce an artwork. For example, an oil painting is painted using the medium of oil paint; paint, ink and clay are different media. It is also used to refer to something that binds pigments together, such as oil, acrylic, gum, egg yolk or wax. such as installationInstallation art describes an artistic genre of site-specific, three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception or shape of a space, film and video.
See also the Big Landscape 'How' Block titled Virtual and Digital here.
Visual literacy is important due to the increasing use of visual communication and multimedia in modern society.
Developing visual literacy skillsTechniques and attributes acquired through learning, engagement and practice enables students to understand and communicate ideas and information effectively and more rapidly than text alone. It allows them to analyse and interpret visual messages, which are increasingly prevalent in the modern world and through digital cultureThe behaviours, beliefs and activities of a social, geographical, age defined or ethnic group of people, to include their artistic and creative pursuits.
Students' ability to understand and use visual codes and conventions will enable them to develop the ability to create their own original work and express themselves through art.
Visual literacy can enhance students’ critical thinkingThe ability to reason, ask questions, debate and challenge what is presented to you. skills (see Big Landscape Critical and Contextual Thinking) and help students understand the viewpoints of others.
It can also lead to greater insights and understanding, with an appreciation of different communities, cultures and history, broadening students’ global knowledgeFacts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject..
Visual literacy is essential across the curriculumIn education, a curriculum (or curricula) is broadly defined as the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process. The term often refers specifically to a planned sequence of instruction, or to a view of the student's experiences in terms of the educator's or school's instructional goals. A curriculum may incorporate the planned interaction of pupils with instructional content, materials, resources, and processes for evaluating the attainment of educational objectives. Curricula are split into several categories: the explicit, the implicit (including the hidden), the excluded, and the extracurricular. Curricula may be tightly standardized or may include a high level of instructor or learner autonomy. Many countries have national curricula in primary and secondary education, such as the United Kingdom's National Curriculum. wherever learnersA learner is an individual who is willing to learn and understand new things. Learning is a process of understanding and acquiring knowledge of new things and concepts. An individual can be a learner at any point in time they want. Factors like age, gender, etc., do not come in between the learning of the learner. need to visually read, analyse, interpret and understand visual information. For example, in history and geography, historic paintings, buildings, maps, photographs and images of landscapes all require visual interpretation to gain insights.
Similarly, illustrations and diagrams in books require visual literacy to extend text-based informationText-based also refers to documents that contain only text, such as program source code, batch and shell scripts as well as HTML and XML files. Text-based documents are readable in any text editor and most word processors. and in languages, the semiotics of a culture (the signs and symbols used and their interpretation) can help us read and better understand the functions of a society.
Art educators will encourage their learners to be aware of the visual environment that has been created and teach how to recognise, understand and ultimately use the visual languages that they encounter.
Visual literacy can also include:
- PerceptionVisual perception, which is the ability of the artist to recognize and understand visual phenomena and aesthetic clues, is fundamental in creating and responding to works of art. Several basic visual factors like symmetry, complexity, contrast, curvature, color, and lines can influence aesthetic experiences of simple patterns, but also of artworks. and ConceptionConception means any idea or concept, or a sum of ideas and concepts. Conception is concerned with conceptual and cultural constructs of different forms of art. How we conceive (build our understanding) of art from other cultures, might be significantly different to our own artistic and stylistic paradigms or those of a more familiar culture.
- Art History
- Critical and Contextual Thinking
Applying the study of art, craftCraft can be designed as intelligent making. It is technically, materially and culturally informed. Craft is the designing and hand making of individual objects and artefacts, encouraging the development of intellectual, creative and practical skills, visual sensitivity and a working knowledge of tools, materials and systems. More about craft can be found here and design can cover:
- Research
- Study
- Analyse
- Classify
- Label
- Critique
- Describe
- Explain
- Explore
- Evaluate
- Annotate
- Respond
- Review
- Reflect
- Write
- Draft
- Discuss
- Label
- Appreciate
- Communicate
- Qualify
This can be achieved when using, learning and applying this when ‘meaning-making’:
- Reading
- Writing
- Recording
- Visual Research
- Annotation
- Scanning
- Selecting
- Explaining
- Discussing
- Evaluating
- Analysing – for example, the impact of social, cultural and other influences on the work and practice of artistsPeople who are engaged in a broad spectrum of visually led ideas and activities aligned to the expressive arts, makers and designersPeople who are engaged in the production of functional products, services and systems.
- Understanding the aesthetic of diverse cultures and times can help learners to define their own aesthetic, taste and style.
