Visual Literacy - The language of Design (CoP)

Todays Context of Practice lecture began looking into visual literacy, the idea of being able to read and understand signs by their underlying meanings in society. Visually communicating is a process of sending and receiving. Not only is it important it is being sent to the right people it is also important that it is being understood. Visual communication is reliant on a shared understanding of shapes, signs, symbols, colours etc... For example in the UK the colour red is seen as a warning, we associate dangerous things with the colour red. However in China is seen to represent respect. The audience and context signs are used in really affect the outcome.
The context something is used in is very significant. For example a + can have different meanings in different situations. It could symbolise first aid or a hospital but on the other end of the scale could show religion or even maths. The colouring also affects this, if the cross was white on a green background it definitely implies first aid where as if the cross was put with red it could symbolise the Swedish flag.

Visual Semantics focuses on the meaning behind the symbol, what does it mean in the context it is set in.

Visual Syntax focuses on the language itself without attaching the meanings behind the words. It gives the symbol rules to follow to work.

Semiotics - communication and study of signs and symbols

Certain signs mean certain things, for example whilst on the roads signs in a triangle are warning signs where as circles are commands. The stop sign is in a hexagon and the give way sign in a upside down triangle, these are the only two like it because they become easily recognisable even if the writing is covered up etc..