Invent Creativity

Visual Literacy – Expand Your Creativity

Posted by admin on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Our culture is extremely visual. Everything from TV, advertising, movies, magazines, architecture, interior design, video games, im sure you get the point…

Visual Literacy is defined “as the ability to understand communications composed of visual images as well as being able to use visual imagery to communicate to others.”

In order to become visually literate, one must practice expressing their thoughts and ideas in visual forms such as drawings (encoding) and translating/understanding the meaning of visual imagery (decoding).

Visual literacy isn’t always easy. In fact some artists make their visual work difficult to understand, and only those truly observant will understand. Show me a photograph, and there is an excellent chance I will be able to interpret the photographers intentions only because of my years of practice and dedication.

Benefits of Visual Literacy

·      Increase of Creative Capacity

·      Enhanced Observational Skills

·      Improves visual represented comprehension (charts, graphs..etc.)

·      Improves Capacity to Develop Powerful Concepts and Solutions

·      Enhances Ability to Think Simplicity

Sure visuals can be complicated, but those that have the most powerful concept are the simplest in form. If you are out to problem solve and need to understand the concept of simplicity, visual literacy is a great way of getting there.

Take a good look at the above image. I shot that image while I was in Wisconsin. I used special lens filters on my camera just to get my intention across visually. Any ideas on what I was trying to portray? Leave a comment and lets see what everyone comes up with. It’s a good starting point.

Those who are creative tend to have a high capacity of visual literacy. Unfortunately many major institutions other than design schools have tested visual literacy, however, I am big believer in Visual Literacy. It helps Problem Solve, and problems are a large part of everyday life. So why not emphasize something so important to everyday life?

Cheers

Mitesh Solanki

Posted in: Brainstorming Techniques, Creativity, Education, Problem Solving, Science of Creativity.

12 Responses to “Visual Literacy – Expand Your Creativity”

1. jane Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

   I dont even know where to start interpreting that image. Perhaps a follow up post on how to go about interpreting visuals?

2. Tustin Says:
   July 16th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

   Mitesh I think its a lost world?

   Interesting post its one of your best!!!

3. gia combs-ramirez Says:
   July 19th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

   This was fun and challenging!

   How about a message for death: “Go to the light.”

4. Bruce Says:
   July 21st, 2008 at 3:34 pm

   Great post Mitesh! I love the sun bursting through the trees as if it has a message for us. I’ve been reading A LOT on visual literacy. I work in technology integration at the elementary level and find ways to increase visual literacy lesson plans because our culture, as you so clearly wrote, is extremely visual. Thanks for the post too!

5. sharad ambulkar Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 3:16 am

   Dear Mitesh

   Very good shot & you are using special lens filters. i love this photo
   sharad ambulkar

6. Karyn Says:
   August 18th, 2009 at 6:33 am

   What a great shot. When I look at your photo I see a spider’s web. It is interesting to read other peoples interpretations of your shot. I would really like to know your intention for this photo.
   Karyn

7. Anna Says:
   November 18th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

   To the image signifies hope ” There is a light at the end of the tunnel”. The trees are dark, ovewhelming / overpowering…but if overcome there will be a rewarding/ inspiring outcome. I’m surious what interpretation you were looking for? What were you trying to express.

8. jc Says:
   May 9th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

   haha…I’m so glad that what I see is what someone else sees..I looked at it and I, too, saw a spiderweb. What were you trying to portray.

9. Somer Tavana Says:
   June 1st, 2010 at 8:19 am

   This is a good piece of content, I was wondering if I could use this piece of writing on my website, I will link it back to your website though. If this is a problem please let me know and I will take it down right away.

10. Velia Flippo Says:
    June 1st, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my very first comment. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this weblog very often.

11. Nickole Schug Says:
    June 5th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    I must say you have a cool post. This hit the spot and then some! Thanks for posting this and sharing it with the world. I’ve just bookmarked your site. And I will check back soon to read your other articles. Keep up your awesome work.

12. Peter Jones Says:
    January 3rd, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    The sun is a single source of light, it provides vision. It does this through untold parallel rays of light. Each with a unique chance to illuminate and shed light on darkness.
    PJ
    P.S. The conceptual framework below may be of relevance to readers here?

    http://www.p-jones.demon.co.uk/

    Visualization resource page:
    http://www.p-jones.demon.co.uk/linksTwo.htm
    Blog: Welcome to the QUAD:
    http://hodges-model.blogspot.com/
    Hodges’ Health Career – Care Domains – Model
    http://www.p-jones.demon.co.uk/
    h2cm: help2Cmore – help-2-listen – help-2-care
    http://twitter.com/h2cm

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