Visual Communication

The Line

Lines are the basic element of visual communication used within the design process and final design of visual communication design. The picture above shows the exclusive use of lines while in the second step to the design process called thumbnails. Line is something that easily gives meaning to an idea and makes it reality; this is why using only lines throughout the thumbnail process of design is key to its success, this makes line decisive. Lines communicate and can be used as a vehicle to propel thoughts into clear visual images, this is what gives line direction. Lines can also be connoted into different symbols that carry meaning, giving the line purpose. The colored in boxed items can be symbolic of solid color or a place where images can be placed. This two-dimensional visual element is juxtaposed within these thumbnails by the contrast of the black of the line and the white of the paper, giving the line meaning by showing the structure of the design idea.

Color

Color is a basic element of visual communication used in the design process and final design of visual communication. This image in particular showcases the use of color within a mood board. Creating a mood board is a technique designers use to create a template of the aesthetic of their project. It gives the designer an idea of what kind of mood and overall layout the finished product will be and it is included in the process of creating a design. Color plays a huge role in creating a mood board because color depicts what kind of overall mood the piece will have. The color is depicted in this image as reminiscent of hot summer days, they are also identified as the primary hues red, yellow, and blue. The red can be symbolic of the heat, the yellow can symbolize the sun, and the grey-ish blue can be symbolic of the ocean. These colors are less saturated indicating that the designer wanted to convey a certain feeling of subtlety and softness. Because the colors have a low saturation, the brightness is low as well. Context is important in effectively communicating to the viewer; corresponding with the summer-like and natural images, the three color swatches the viewer can easily interpret what kind of aesthetic the designer is going for with the connotation that each color exudes. Color can denote many different feelings and can also be cultural; choosing the wrong colors for a design can shift the design as a whole into a different tone and lead to bad design. 

Movement

           

Movement is a basic element of visual communication used in the design process and final design of visual communication. This template of a web design is an example of the use of movement within a design. This design in particular demonstrates the implied movement within the layout of the design, the viewers eyes scan from line to line following them through the image, then the picture of the pointing hand and the slanted tree guide the eye back up to the top of the page. The movement of this template is depicted through the placement of elements for the viewer to easily “read” the design in the most effective way. The movement of this template can also be defined by the “left-right, top-bottom preferences” when looking at certain things, the eyes can tend to scan left, down, right and back up. This design is effectively taking advantage of that because it provides clear horizontal lines as well as images along the bottom right hand side of the image to create interest and help the viewers eyes scan back upwards on the image.