Visual language
To communicate effectively, the parties to a communication need to understand the language used in the communication; communication can be verbal or non-verbal. Non-verbal communication involves the use of signs, symbols, and gestures, which has some implied meaning to the parties of a communication.
Visual language is the use of visual design whose meanings is known by the parties of a communication, some examples of visual designs are diagrams ,maps, and paintings. For the designs to make sense, they need to be composed to bring out the intended meaning (Marriott and Bernd 32). This paper discusses how visual language can be designed.
Colour
When developing a design, the choice of colour to use will be determined by the intended purpose of the designs. When the design is used for a warning, then complementary colours are more likely to be interpolated by human mind to that effect. For example when designing a sign of an accident ahead, red is used since it prepares the mind for danger. When making paintings for mourning section, harmonious colours.
Depending with the role that a design is expected to play, colours chosen can be warm or cool colours. The most important element to consider in visual language is the mind set and the perception/feeling that a certain colour has on them, then a visual design can be created.
Light and value
The tone of a visual design will be determined by the light reflections that an artistic work has. The depth and the perception that the communicator want to develop in his/her works will be determined by the light and values implement in the works.
Dark surfaces and objects created are meant to show the seriousness of the matter while when visual designs are made on light objects they are likely to create a jovial mood and a feeling of happiness. The choice of the surface forms an integral part in communicating using visual languages. Lights create a meaning and expression; thus understanding the shading that will be effective for a certain design is important (Honeywill, 78).
Pattern texture
The surface that a certain visual language design will be printed on will determine the effectiveness of the language. Printing on tactile surfaces communicates more reality than printing on an implied surface.
When the texture used rhythms with the message to be communicated then the effectiveness of the language is enhanced. For example a visual language to discourage cutting down of trees communicate more effectively if the surface of a falling tree is made to reflect the actual ground found on forests, it may have things like grass coverings or dry leaves.
Different surface can have different meanings on people’s mind, the most important thing for an artist is to understand the meaning and the value that the audience has on a certain surface, then choice of service can then be done effectively (Bonnici 45).
Conclusion
Visual language is a form of communication using visual designs; when creating designs, an artist needs to understand the audience’s perception, meaning, expression and Innate structures in their brain so as they can develop designs that effectively communicate. Artists need to choose the right colours, texture, and shade and tone so as the meaning of their design can come out well and trigger the desired psychological and physical reaction.
Works Cited
Bonnici, Peter. Visual language: the hidden medium of communication. Michigan: RotoVision, 1999. Print.
Honeywill, Paul. Visual language for the World Wide Web. New York: Intellect Books, 1999. Print.
Marriott, Kim, and Bernd Meyer. Visual language theory. Boston: Springer, 1998. Print.