VISUAL LANGUAGE

What I understand about Visual Language

 

What comes to my mind when talking about visual language…

Visual Language could be linked towards anything along the lines of fashion, graphic design, art, music (In some cases), packaging, photography, dancing, colour, body language etc…

Otherwise known as ‘visual communication’, this is the art of which should / does instantly get across information, simply through anything but words or speech, to a specific audience. 

 

Visual Language through:

Packaging - 

Packaging is one of the most common use of visual language in our everyday lives. It can be found in shops, on labels, in our kitchens, on our shampoo bottles, branding (weather it’s clothes or a brand of headphones). This is used to captivate the audience, and tempt them to purchase a curtain product. The package should clearly show whats within the packaging; weather it’s food, clothing, or technology. It should instantly give impressions to the buyer of what they should expect to find within the packaging, so for example, if the beans are organic, if the clothing is FareTrade™, and if the type of furniture, or accessory, is more vintage and rough opposed to sleek and classy. Packaging is something that us humans wouldn’t be able to live without. Although it’s a luxury, it is the thing we judge things and products on as soon as we see it. 

This also related to graphic design, as the key point of this, is capturing people’s attention, and then from there, showing what it’s all about, and what the point is.

 

 

 

Body language - 

When you first approach someone, weather you mean it or not, you’ll judge them, instantly. Primark or Jack Wills, baggy or tailored trousers, cigaret or cigar (or nothing for that matter), clean shaven or beard, tall or short, thin or wide, ginger or brown hair. Loud, shy, energetic, quiet. All of these and thousands more all glue together to form one image of that one person.

On an everyday basis, unaware but conscious, we adapt our body language for different situations. Weather it’s for a job interview or a date; confident, dressed smart, proud and successful (but not too cocky), or night out; energetic, chilled out, casual clothing, chatty and loud. We do all of these things to make the best impression of the people around us. Or, on the other hand, we don’t, if you really don’t care about what people think about you.

Fashion could also be related to body language, as it is what people see when they look at your, and build an image of you. 

Fashion (and body language in some ways) is also a way that people can show there personality, and who they are through what they do and wear. So although this isn’t always on purpose, people do like the express what they like, and what they’re into (type of music, living, style, or era).

Another form of body language is sign language. This can be seen as a more literal language, as it literally is communication with those who only have visual speech/sight.

 

Art - 

Art is a huge factor within visual arts, and the whole concept of it all depends on communicating feelings and emotions with the viewers. For example, a genre such as expressionism, takes extreme lengths to show viewers moods by using facial expressions, specific objects, or a curtain dominant colour brightness and contrast. Everything done within art, all goes across to the viewers through their mind and how they decide to receive and think about it. 

 

The power of visual language, and the skill to effectively create something like this, is priceless. Everything you see on a daily basis, weather it’s informing you, telling you something, pulling you in, or trying to sell you something has been made by a graphic designer. The success of making something which works, can be hugely rewarding.

 

Road signs are a perfect example of relying on visual communication most days. The shape, colour, border, and image of which the sign on the side of the road can tell you millions of different hazards, warning, extras, or little pieces of information within a couple of seconds with the slightest glance to the side of the road, your route, way of driving, and attitude can be changed, just by a simple illustration or colours on a sign.

For example; the Apple logo. The one logo, known by most people on this planet, when people see it on a computer, tablet, phone or watch and instantly know who it’s made by, the brand, and what they’re all about. The power of such a simple, small logo can never be over estimated. How it sticks in our mind, and how you unconsciously remember that logo, and make all the links.

 

Some can argue that music is a form of visual art. Although it isn’t visual, the effect that it can have on a person - weather it’s a track from an advert, a ‘jingle’ from a radio station, or some spoken lyrics - could remind someone of a business, time, place, or situation, the same effect visual language should impact the public, or the chosen audience. Music, and ‘sounds’ in general, is also the most powerful way of reminding someone, e-g a song could take someone back to their childhood, a holiday, or simply give them positive vibes. An advertising company could take this is their advantage and use songs which could possibly suggest positive, and happy emotions.

 Although music isn’t visual, in some cases, seeing it can still have an impact. For example, lyrics of a song, or a simple melody on a screen could set the song playing in the persons head.

I’m a person of whom thinks that us, as human beings, would not be able to survive without visual language. Our daily decisions depend on what looks appealing, what is presented well, and what look most reliable, therefore, to make a successful business, to make friends, and simply live through day to day, presentation and visual communication is essential.