Rune Pettersson

Toward a Cohesive Theory of Visual Literacy

Abstract Despite the fact that to date Visual Literacy (VL) scholars have not arrived at a general consensus for a theoretical organization of the VL field, important conceptual investigations have emerged over the past four decades. In this paper we discuss and synthesize those studies. We then present a first attempt toward a cohesive theory of VL. The main components of the proposed VL theory are Visual Perception, Visual Language (ViL), Visual Learning, Visual Thinking, and Visual Communication. Here we focus on discussing ViL and its constituent parts: 1) ViL exists; 2) ViL is holistic; 3) ViL must be learned; 4) ViL may improve learning; 5) ViL is not universal; 6) ViL often needs verbal support.

Information Design–Principles and Guidelines

Abstract Information design is a multi-disciplinary, a multi-dimensional, and a worldwide consideration. It is not possible to develop firm design rules telling the information designer exactly how to best design a message and develop information sets. Based on research it is possible to formulate several ID-principles and then develop a number of guidelines for the design of effective and efficient information sets. Several principles are labelled as “functional principles.” Guidelines based on these principles assist the information designer to design information sets that are well suited for the intended receivers. However, the information designer will always have to consider one of the main ID-principles: “it depends.”

Visual Literacy and Message Design

Abstract The theme for this 33rd Annual Conference of the International Visual Literacy Association in Eskilstuna, Sweden, is “Visual Literacy in Message Design”. Both visual literacy and message design are broad concepts, each with a long history. Researchers with different kinds of backgrounds have shown an interest in visual literacy. This is also true for message design, which can be divided in several categories. Various areas of design have different objectives and the information materials reach out to different groups of receivers. Visual literacy and the use of images is important in message design. At the same time message design is important in the study of visual literacy. The concepts of visual literacy and message design partly overlap one another.

Gearing Communications to the Cognitive Needs of Students: findings from visual literacy research

Abstract Knowledge of graphic design, information design, visual communication, visual language, and visual literacy might be important for our ability to better produce effective messages - “messages that really work.” In this study eight groups of ID students ranked lists of “information design characteristics,” a total of 50 research findings. These masters students were asked to discuss and rank how they perceive the importance of research findings related to: (1) sender processes, (2) text design, (3) image design, (4) graphic-design, and (5) receiver processes.