Visual communication involves the exchange of messages through images. The basic elements include a transmitter, receiver, message, code, channel, and context. Symbols, signs, and logos are considered images. Throughout history, images have been used for informative, aesthetic, communicative, and expressive purposes. The meaning of an image is made up of its expressive values, theme, and symbolism. Before photography, common techniques to create images included drawing, painting, and etching. Today, most visual messages come from the press, advertising, television, and the internet. Mass media information comes from these sources as well as radio. The main aim of images in advertising is to encourage consumption of products and services. The main difference between television

1. Unit 2 Visual communication
A game for creative people.

2. 1. What is visual communication?

3. Visual communication is the exchange of messages through
images.

4. 2. Which are the basic elements of visual communication?

5. The transmitter, receiver, message, code, channel and
context.
Transmitter Receiver
Channel
Context
Message
Code

6. 3. In visual communication, what are a symbol, a sign
and a logo considered?

7. They are considered images.
“The Eye of Horus”
An ancient Egyptian
symbol
A visual poem by Joan Brossa,
1984, Barcelona.
The alphabet is a group of
graphic signs.
“The Olympic Rings”
The logo of the Olympic Games

8. 4. What have images been used for throughout history?

9. For informative, aesthetic, communicative and expressive
purposes.
Informative purpose
Communicative purpose
“Seated Man”, De Kooning,
1939. Expressive purpose
Aesthetic purpose

10. 5. What aspects of an image make up its meaning?

11. The aspects are: Expressive values, theme and symbolism.
“Large Blue Horses”, Franz
Marc, 1911. Expressive values
Still life by Van Gogh,
1888. Theme
“The Tragedy”, Picasso,
1903. Symbolism

12. 6. What techniques have been used to create images
before photography was invented?

13. Before photography, the most common techniques for creating
images were drawing, painting and etching.
Head of an Infant.
Andrea de Sarto.
Circa 1523. Sanguine
Self portrait of Rembrandt.
Circa 1629. Oil on canvas
Bust of an old bearded man.
Rembrandt, 1631. Etching

14. 6. Today, where do most of the visual messages that
we receive come from?

15. Today, most of the visual messages come from the press,
advertising, television and the internet.

16. 8. From where do we receive “Mass Media” information?

17. From the press, advertising, television, the radio and the
internet.

18. 9. What is the main aim of the use of images in advertising?

19. The main aim is to encourage the population to consume
products and buy services.

20. 10. What is the main difference between television, the
cinema and video?

21. The main difference is that television can be transmitted live,
whereas cinema and video can’t.
A television programme transmitted live.

22. 11. In a television studio, who is responsible for the budget
and the organization of a programme?

23. The Producer.
A Television Producer

24. 12. What is the most powerful means of visual
communication today?

25. Television.