Lecture on Visual Literacy

Introduction to Visuals

• Speaker's background in visuals, influenced by father (architect) and aunt (art postcards).
• Early exposure to art through the National Gallery of Ireland.
• Collecting art postcards enabled understanding of artist progression.
• Importance of visual perception and cognition.

Understanding Visual Literacy

• Definition: Ability to construct meaning from images.
• Not a singular skill, but a form of critical thinking using various skills.
• Established by International Visual Literacy Association in 1969.

Evolution of Visual Communication

• Transition from pre-literate visual communication to the digital age.
• Importance of integrating visual literacy with text in modern times.
• Examples of historical visual communications: cave paintings, stained-glass windows.

Visual Literacy in the Digital Age

• Digital natives vs. "Gutenberg people" who experienced transition to digital.
• Visual literacy as a universal language.
• Importance of visuals in global understanding.

The Visual Perception Process

• 90% of information intake is visual.
• Importance of slow-looking to enhance perception.
• Steps: Look, See, Describe, Analyze, Interpret.
• Visual literacy involves understanding differences in visual signals (e.g., winks).

Importance of Visual Elements

• Elements and principles of art in visual literacy.
• Examples include shape, form, color, etc.
• Tools: The Periodic Table of Visualization Elements.

Visuals and Emotions

• Visual images evoke visceral responses and emotions.
• Impact of visual images on memory and perception.

Need for Visual Literacy Curriculum

• Advocacy for visual literacy across the educational curriculum.
• Visual literacy as integral as textual and computer literacy.
• Visual literacy enhances communication and perception globally.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to enhance visual literacy.
• Visual literacy as a transformative element in life and communication.