VISUAL LANGUAGE

UNIT 1. VISUAL LANGUAGE

Read carefully the text below. 

Purpose of images.

Images can be classified according to whether their aim is: INFORMATIVE, EXHORTATIVE, EXPRESSIVE  or AESTHETIC.

1.       INFORMATIVE PURPOSE. Informative images; identify, indicate describe, or communicate ideas.

• Identifying images symbolizes the philosophy of a company or individual. Their aim is to be

recognized and discerned from others. For example, logotypes, trademarks and flags.

• Indicative images use signs or symbols. They cross language barriers. For example, pictograms indicating directions.

• Descriptive images define places or figures explaining their distinctive parts using a simplified design. For example, maps.

• News images are images from the press that accompany informative text and advertising boards.

2.       EXHORTATIVE PURPOSE. These images aim to convince the receiver to do what the message is interested in advertising.

3.       EXPRESSIVE PURPOSE. The aim is to entertain, to stimulate feelings and emotions to move or motivate us. Examples of expressive images are comics, films, puppets and theatre plays.

4.       AESTHETIC PURPOSE. To arouse admiration and the ability to enjoy beauty. They are images that show the concept of beauty and harmony. Examples of aesthetic images are works of art.

ACTIVITIES  

1. True or false? Correct the false sentences.

1.       A logotype for sports shoes helps to identify the trademark.
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2.       A political map is aim to convince the user of a message.
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3.       A painting by Van Gogh symbolizes the philosophy of a company.
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4.       A comic entertains the readers.
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5.       A pictogram indicating a petrol station is a descriptive image.
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6.       A national flag is a work of art.
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7.       A theatre performance of Romeo and Juliet arouses admiration and the ability to enjoy beauty.
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8.       A detergent advertisement is an indicative image.

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2. Once you have  red this text and completed  the true or false questions,  go to your text book to do the activity on page 17. 

3. Watch this video. 

OLYMPIC PICTOGRAMS THROUGH THE AGES

Now, design a new pictogram of your fabourite sport. Remember to follow the universal code to create pictograms: to cross language barriers, simple shapes, one plane colour . 

Do it on a sheet of paper, A4 size, within a square of  10X10cm side long.