Task 2 - Visual Communication And Cultural Understanding

Visual Communication And Cultural Understanding

            Visual communication is any image that is used to communicate an idea, whether it's a sign, poster, drawing, photograph or television advertisement, can be included in the field of visual communications. If you have a creative flare for visual media, you may be interested in pursuing an education and career in visual communications. At its core, visual communications effectively uses images to persuade, entertain, inform and enlighten an observing audience of products, ideas and messages. Graphic designers, advertising designers, art directors and visual artists all utilize various forms of visual media to communicate their ideas to their desired audiences. Modern visual communicators know how to use various types of visual technology to create artistic images that communicate with the public.  (Copyright, 2014)

            Visual communications often offer core classes that illustrate the fundamentals of the field, which may include study in business, conceptual development and communication theory. Additionally, you may concentrate on technology-specific courses that teach you the technical skills involved with creating visual media, such as digital imaging and Web design. Degree programs can give you a well-rounded education through classroom instruction, hands-on studio work and field internships. You may also work to develop a professional portfolio that exemplifies your creative style and technical prowess. Visual communication is prominent in advertising through various visual media, including websites, television and print publishing. Depending on your area of interest and educational concentration, you may decide to pursue a career as an art director, graphic designer, typographer, visual artist, photographer, illustrator or Web designer.  (Copyright, 2014)

                Communication is the process of exchanging information. Communication also a “expression of the in Man and Animals”. (Charles Darwin). Communication have two type it is verbal communication and nonverbal communication.Verbal communication is the process of communication through sending and receiving massages with the use of words. And words is mean a unit of language the carries meaning and consists of one or more morphemes which are linked more or less tightly together, and has a phonetical value. Nonverbal communocation is the process of communication through sending and receiving worldless massages such as gestures, body language, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, appearance, intonations and handwriting. (Baskar, 2009)

            Visual communication means the conveyance of ideas and information in forms that can be read or looked upon. How effective is visual communication such as, it makes everyone understand what is it?, it clearly define us and shows brief view in simple figure.  “A picture is worth a thousand words”. (Juciy Turkey). For example, guess the logo:- 

Figure 1 : guess the logo

            Visual communication is used in various forms in day to day life like advertising, promotions, product placement, endorsements, sales promotion, public relations and trade shows as attention getters. (Baskar, 2009).

Figure 2 : An adversitisement found in Malaysia. A stikers was placed on the high voltage box depiciting that                                                     powerful Duracell batteries were used.

Figure 3 : A creative ad by Mini Cooper placed at the Zurich, Switzerland train station, shows people climbing into or out of the car, when they are actually entering or exiting stairs.

        In visual communication also have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages in visual communication is like transcends language barries, attention getting, ability to pick up information while in passive state of listening, makes everyone to remember whatever carried out, it makes other believable and also trustable. And for the disadvantange in visual communication such as, from long distance, visualisation cant seen, it does not comes in phone line, it difficult to assess people to understand our ideas and innovation, imprecise & difficult to convey complex ideas and often cannot transmit factual information. (Baskar, 2009).

Why is understanding culture important if we are community builders?

         The United States is becoming increasingly diverse. By the turn of the century one out of every three Americans will be a person of color. According to James Banks, more than 8 million legal immigrants came to the U.S. between 1981 and 1990, and an undetermined number of undocumented immigrants enter the United States each year. In addition, the United States includes people of many religions, languages, economic groups, and other cultural groups. (Axner, 2013)

         It is becoming clear that in order to build communities that are successful at improving conditions and resolving problems, we need to understand and appreciate many cultures, establish relationships with people from cultures other than our own, and build strong alliances with different cultural groups. Additionally, we need to bring non-mainstream groups into the center of civic activity. Why? (Axner, 2013)

In order to build communities that are powerful enough to attain significant change, we need large numbers of people working together. If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation. (Axner, 2013)

Each cultural groups has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from. We need a wide range of ideas, customs, and wisdom to solve problems and enrich community life. Bringing non-mainstream groups into the center of civic activity can provide fresh perspectives and shed new light on tough problems. (Axner, 2013)

·         Understanding cultures will help us overcome and prevent racial and ethnic divisions. Racial and ethnic divisions result in misunderstandings, loss of opportunities, and sometimes violence. Racial and ethnic conflicts drain communities of financial and human resources; they distract cultural groups from resolving the key issues they have in common.

·         People from different cultures have to be included in decision-making processes in order for programs or policies to be effective. The people affected by a decision have to be involved in formulating solutions--it's a basic democratic principle. Without the input and support of all the groups involved, decision-making, implementation, and follow through are much less likely to occur.

·         An appreciation of cultural diversity goes hand-in-hand with a just and equitable society. For example, research has shown that when students' cultures are understood and appreciated by teachers, the students do better in school. Students feel more accepted, they feel part of the school community, they work harder to achieve, and they are more successful in school.

·         If we do not learn about the influences that cultural groups have had on our mainstream history and culture, we are all missing out on an accurate view of our society and our communities.

Bibliography

Axner, M. (2013). Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities. Community Tool Box .

Baskar, K. (2009). How Effective Is Visual Communication To Our Youngsters. Slideshare .

Copyright. (2014). What Is Visual Communication. DegreeDirectory.org .