Visual Language: Perspectives for Both Makers and Users - Softcover

Van Den Broek, Jos; Koetsenruijter, W.; De Jong, Jaap

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9490947725 ISBN 13: 9789490947729

Publisher: Eleven International Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

The power of a visual image is determined by a complex array of elements. Anyone who creates a page for a magazine, makes a PowerPoint presentation, designs a brochure, prepares a poster, or dreams up an idea for an infographic is faced with some important questions: Why is it better to position this photograph here rather than there? What background color should be used for a presentation? What is necessary to bear in mind when creating an internet page? Is it better to use a table, a graph, or an infographic as a visual aid? Should permission be sought to use an image for a weblog? These are the kinds of questions that Visual Language will answer. Following an introduction to the subject, the book explains three important theories relating to visual images: Gestalt, semiotics, and visual rhetoric. Using these theories, the book then explores the fundamental elements of visual language: composition, typography, perspective, and color. Additionally, it presents applications from everyday practice: photos, graphs and tables, infographics, web pages, and magazine pages. The combination of theory and practice makes this guide an excellent reference work for both academic programs and vocational studies. *** "Recommended". - Choice, Vol. 50, No. 08, April 2013.

About this title

About the Author

Jos van den Broek teaches science communication at the University of Leiden. Willem Koetsenruijter is affiliated to the program Journalism & New Media at the University of Leiden. Jaap de Jong is affiliated to the program Journalism & New Media at the University of Leiden. Laetitia Smit is head of the department and coordinator of HOVO.

From the Back Cover

The power of a visual image is determined by a complex array of elements. Anyone who creates a page for a magazine, makes a PowerPoint presentation, designs a brochure, prepares a poster or dreams up an idea for an infographic is faced with some important questions:

* Why is it better to put this photo here rather than there?
* What background color should I use for my presentation?
* What do I need to bear in mind when creating an internet page?
* Is it better to use a table, a graph or an infographic for these numbers?
* Do I need to ask permission to use this image for my weblog?

These are the kinds of questions that Visual Language answers.
The book is divided into four sections. The fi rst section introduces the subject. The second part explains three important theories relating to visual images: Gestalt, semiotics and visual rhetoric. Using these theories, in section three the authors explore the fundamental elements of visual language: composition, typography, perspective and color. The fourth and fi nal section presents applications from everyday practice: photos, graphs and tables, infographics, web pages and magazine pages.

Visual Language is intended for anyone involved or is likely to become involved professionally with publishing images: from journalists, text and image editors and makers of infographics, advertisements, exhibitions and magazines to museum staff , communications advisors, photographers, illustrators, typographers and web designers. Because of the multidisciplinary approach adopted by the authors this book will be an invaluable tool for all readers, irrespective of their individual disciplines.

Visual Language combines theory and practice, with assignments at the end of each chapter. This guide is an excellent reference work for both academic programs and vocational studies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Eleven International Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9490947725
• ISBN 13: 9789490947729
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304