In this exercise I am to identify two or three different examples of 6 types of visual communication; alternative messages, interactive design, authorial content, identity design. information and persuasion. I am then to make notes on the ways these visual images make reference to broader ideas of visual culture.

Persuasion

1. Poster Advertising – Health and Habits

In this advertisement the NHS, a very overstretched organisation, are making a simple point. If you smoke then you are killing your heart, the organ that keeps you alive. The visual image of the heart in the ash tray should be enough to make any smoker think twice and look at the information line about how to find ways to stop smoking. Society is becoming increasingly visual, it is a far more effective approach to show someone a photographic representation of what they are doing to themselves. Intellectually every smoker knows that their habit is unhealthy so taking the same text based approach will not have any new great effect.

2. Moving Image advertising – Quality of Fast Food

This advertisement has used humor (I for one can’t watch it without laughing) to inform viewers that the product used by KFC is ‘The Whole Chicken’. I was torn about whether to use this as an example of Persuasion or Information, I chose to class it as Persuasion because KFC ‘s end goal is to persuade us to become customers.

Using humour and a popular music soundtrack makes it accessible to a wide range of ages, inparticular their target audience of young people.

3. Political Slogans

This Brexit Bus was used as a campaigning tool during the run up to the EU Independence referendum. Slogans such as this are designed to play on the emotions of those who see it and stimulate an emotional response.

Information

1. Furniture Assembly Instructions

This is an example of the instructional diagrams that come with furniture flat-packs. Using a picture guide ensures that language is not a barrier, this will aid the company in terms of global marketing. Picture guides are also easy to interpret and follow.

2. Aircraft Safety Instructions

Aircraft safety instructions are given in pictograph form to enable greater comprehension by passengers. I would assume that this is to meet the challenge faced by different language and education levels. Interestingly my research flagged up an article which showed that they had to be redesigned by non-cabin safety experts as passengers intiially struggled to comprehend the finer detail.

3. Visual Map

This is an example of the kind of map regularly displayed at public attractions. Its simple pictorial form allows people to navigate around various facilities. The use of colour makes it simple to identify a specific theme such as rooms displaying exhibits relevant to ‘Egypt’.

Identity Design

1. Liverpool Victoria Insurance

LV= are an insurance company who have a reputation for excellent customer service. Their logo is purposely designed to resemble the word ‘love’, this is the message which they wish to give their customers. In a marketplace where everyone seems to just be out to take as much of your money as possible, LV= are giving out a message that they will care about their customers, treat them with respect and heart.

2. Apple

Apple, a technological giant with instant global recognition. Rumours say that the bite missing from the apple is a nod to Alan Turing during the code breaking era at Bletchley Park. The logo is simple, dynamic and instantly recognizable. Taken as a guarantee of quality it adorns everything from mobile phones to laptops and tablets.

3. Royal Air Force

The RAF uses an iconic roundel design as it’s logo. Reminiscent of a target and incredibly simple this roundel gets applied to everything from clothing to aircraft and is instantly recognisable. Historically a roundel was used to identify planes a British and more easily discernible from the Germans. Originally the Union Jack was painted on aircraft but this was often mistaken for the Iron Cross (German). In 1914 it was decided that the RAF would imitate the French with the use of a roundel but reverse the colour scheme. This logo is still in use today.

Authorial Content

1. The Week Magasine

The illustrations on the front of the magasine The Week always relate to the news stories on the inside. Uniquely they uses a combination of humour and excellent traditional painting of caricatures to render a unique cover image. Such an approach to cover design ensures that they stand out on the shelves of newsagents and make an impression.

2. Graphic Novel

The covers of graphic novels always give an indication of the story within. Even without previously knowing Bram Stokers ‘Dracula’ we can make some guesses as to the theme of the story from the visual elements on the cover. The themes of black and red lead us towards the horror genre which is reinforced by the religious iconography and the body language of those depicted in this cover montage.

Interactive Design

1. Bandersnatch – Netflix TV series

Massive in pop culture the Bandersnatch choose-your-own-adventure went viral in the winter of 2018. The first of it’s kind this episode of series Black Mirror allowed viewers to partake via their remote controls in choosing their way through the episodes plotline with 5 different endings. It gained a lot of publicity for it’s innovation and for the series it originated from.

2. Computer Games

Computer games are what springs to mind the most in terms of interactive design. Adventures allowing the player to explore a variety of paths to progress along a pre-established game pathway are constantly popular. The choice to kill an established villan or not, where to hide the body, how to infiltrate a building, everything is open to the game player.

Alternative Messages

1. Fathers for Justice

Fathers for Justice are a group of Fathers banned from seeing their children in search of equal rights and access to their offspring. They carry out publicity campaigns such as storming Parliament or gatecrashing Buckingham Palace to raise public awareness.

2. Immigration protests

Alternative placards such as this are becoming more and more popular on mass protests. Other favourites include ‘I dont know why we’re shouting’ and ‘Someone told me there would be cake’. Intended as they are to be humorous, they also have a serious point to make.