What’s visual language?

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Visual language is a form of communication that uses visual elements as opposed to formal written language to convey a meaning or idea. Graphics, the ability to communicate visually, are considered as important as literacy and math, reading and counting skills. Some people are visual thinkers, they literally think in pictures, using that part of the brain that is emotional and creative to process and make sense of information. Visual communication can find expression in paintings, drawings, symbols or simply lines and shapes arranged for a specific effect.

Art is an example of visual language. A painting or sculpture can convey ideas or evoke specific types of emotional responses. It can also express ideas about historical events, abstract concepts, or simply relate to how certain shapes or forms “work” together or create a certain effect on the mind. Some researchers believe that different parts of the brain respond in unique ways to colors and shapes.

Pictograms and ideograms are types of visual language. Pictograms are images that look like what they mean. They are still used today to communicate information. Many people around the world are familiar with pictograms that indicate things like airports, public facilities, and non-smoking areas indicated by a cigarette in a circle with a diagonal line through it. Ideograms are images that represent ideas and can often be understood without the aid of written language.

Many of the ancient pictographs that still survive are considered art forms. These include cave paintings depicting events such as a hunt, battle or forms of worship. Pictograms and ideographs are still in use in parts of the world that do not have alphabet-based writing.

Visual thinking is considered a right brain activity and is distinguished from left brain activity, which is thought to be linear and analytical. Visual thinkers tend to base conclusions on intuition information rather than reason or language.

Some scholars trace modern alphabets to pictures. The letters are actually ancient images and the words are a series of images. The letters of the modern alphabet are not just phonetic symbols, they are based on ancient religious images and symbols.

Mosaic communication is also part of the visual language. The term refers to music specifically created to enhance the viewing experience of the film. It matches the images displayed on the screen and the music can evoke a sense of dread, fear or other emotions. Most viewers understand the language of musical cues that something dramatic or important is about to happen.

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