Impact Of Visual Communication on Viewers

"Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak."- John Berger, media theorist, writes in his book Ways of Seeing (Penguin Books, 1972),

A single picture is worth a thousand words and when it comes to capturing the consciousness of your viewers, you want to take full advantage to communicate your message and visual communication, thus, comes into existence. Effective visual effects not only powers up a communication but also boosts engagement with the audiences. For instance, Jacek Utko, a little-known newspaper designer whose redesigned newspaper not only won awards, but also increased circulation of the newspaper by up to 100%. It’s pretty amazing to see how just by adding visuals and illustrations, the newspaper was announced as the World’s Best Designed Newspaper by the Society For Newspaper Design.

If a message is emancipated to the public but no one remembers it, did it really happen? Communication does no good if your audience does not retain it. Studies show that our brains not only process visuals faster, but it retains and transmits much more information when it is delivered through visuals.

Through experience and experimentation, we have increased our understanding of the visual world and how we are influenced by it. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian demonstrated that 93% of communication is nonverbal. People think using visuals.

How do you feel when you look at this picture? How quickly did you feel that way? Can you see how an image could be used to elicit a strong emotional response immediately and impact the viewer? If one tries to textually describe this picture, the emotional reaction would not be as strong and it would take more time to digest the information.

Don Levy’s ‘Cinematic Journey Through Visual Effects’ makes me realize that all of us have probably taken movies for granted. It is pretty amazing how dreams or illusions are created through visuals effects in movies and how they influence and manipulate the audiences to a great extent.  In one of the greatest twist endings of all time, the washed up figure of the Statue of Liberty is seen on the beach of the Planet of the Apes. It is an amazing moment not just on account of the spectacle itself but also for the brilliantly tense build up and pay-off. The film’s ending is successful in manipulating the expectations of the audience.

Visuals are extremely powerful when used correctly to communicate an appropriate message. However, the words ‘used correctly’ and ‘appropriate message’ must always be kept in mind as an inappropriate visual can do more harm than no visual content at all.

A few examples of good visual communication are as follows. Also notice how they impact you as a viewer and how you interpret their meaning.            

Brazil all set to host the 2016 Olympics!

Sport-obsessed Brazil set to host ‘fantastic’ 2016 Olympics in Rio!

Brazilian President Miss Dilma Rouseff, in an exclusive interview for TOI, explained how the country is all set for the 2016 Olympics with exactly a year to go for the same. The president explained that the country has taken extensive steps to deliver on its promise of grandest and most diversified games in recent times. The country is hoping to become a symbol of solidarity through the games.

The generous Brazilian heart leaps when confronted with two of its passions: welcoming people from all over the world and competing with enthusiasm in a superb sporting performance. “We will be lighting up the Olympic flame with our passion for sport and unfurl the flag bearing the five interlocking rings at the magnificent Maracana Stadium, on 5^th August, 2016,” says the Brazilian President.

The preparation process for the games began with investment in most important assets: The Athletes. Another massive investment has been done in sport infrastructure that will reach its peak with urban restructuring of Rio De Janeiro, which is known to be the most beautiful natural landscape for the Olympic games since Ancient Greece. The upcoming Olympic games have strongly attracted investments from Brazilian private sector that has helped in sponsoring building and modernizing new Hotel Network. The President also stated that the monumental legacy of urban modernization of Rio De Janeiro will make the city one of the most beautiful in the world

Brazil, known worldwide for its impressive and diversified landscapes, has been given the honor of being the first South American country to host the Olympic Games.  The country is also known for its tolerance and respect for diversity as they have welcomed different people and cultures with hospitality and happiness.

The people of the country have managed to build one of the most open nations in the world with their creative capacity, affability and solidarity.  The set of values guides their hard work to turn the upcoming Olympics into the best ever world sports festivity. 

The Brazilian President concluded that Brazil is fully prepared in cooperation with the event organizers, to proudly show the world the recent accomplishments of a well-functioning democracy that has committed to reduce social inequalities through economic development and investment. She asserted that it is a collective effort of an entire country and they are waiting to welcome everyone with arms and hearts wide open.