I selected this image as a symbol for passion, because I believe that when someone is passionate about something, they have a fire burning deep-down inside of them; a fire in their eyes, if you will. When I commit to doing something, I give my all. I believe that if you are going to do something, then you should do it the right way and give nothing short of your best. One of my favorite quotes is from the legendary runner, Steve Prefontaine. He said, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." I always make a conscious effort to utilize my "gifts" and not leave any room to question whether or not I gave it my all.
2. INNOVATIVE
I selected this image as a symbol for innovative, because I believe that there is risk and reward involved when it comes to innovation. When you dare to do something differently, there is a chance of failure. There is a possibility that your ideas and actions might lead to your downfall. However, there is also the prospect of doing something that lights up the world and leads to greatness. The risk of falling flat on my face doesn't sway me, because the reward makes it worthwhile, especially if the innovation sparks from a true and noble place. I like to light things up!
3. ARTISTIC
I selected this image as a symbol for artistic for a few reasons. First of all, I took this picture when I was in Brussels, Belgium. I love photography. I take A LOT of pictures. I travel quite a bit, so photography is something that I have developed a talent for. Secondly, the image is a video store and features the word 'cinema'. Not only do I love movies, but I am also an actor, writer, director, and producer of independent film. Then, there is just the design element. I love the colors and structural style of the storefront. It's 3-D with graffiti and good, vivid imagery. I can identify with all of these things and I feel that the quality of being artistic is accurately communicated through this symbol.
4. RELIGIOUS
I was raised a devout Catholic and I go to church most Sundays. My spirituality helps guide me in life. My mom has always told me to "live like Christ" and to ask myself, "What would Jesus do?" So, I have always practiced this, and this mindset has helped me through some tough times in my life. The image of the cross is an obvious symbolism of my Catholicism and religious roots. I selected the Celtic cross, because I am Irish Catholic.
5. ADVENTUROUS
I selected this image as a symbol for adventurous, because I think that whenever you do something visceral and exciting that perhaps could compromise your safety and/or livelihood out of a thrill-seeking spirit, you are dangling from the edge of reason and insanity. In the picture, we see a man doing just that; dangling from the edge. I am an adventurous type. I like to try new and different things. Whether it is skydiving thousands of feet into the open air, bungee jumping from a rail bridge, zip-cord gliding across the jungle, running with the bulls, swimming with the sharks, or eating exotic foods in strange lands, I am game! In fact, all of those things appear on my "bucket list" and some have already been checked off. I like to be daring and throw caution to the wind to feel a real sense of excitement. I like to feel alive, even at the risk of death.
Commissioned by Adobe Systems Pty Ltd, Australia
Written by Dr. Anne Bamford. Director of Visual Arts. Senior Lecturer in Interactive Media,
Art and Design University of Technology Sydney
Visual literacy is defined in this study as the "ability to construct meaning from images" (Giorgis, Johnson, Bonomo, Colbert, & al, 1999: 146). Essentially, Dr. Anne Bamford's article focuses on how people can communicate through visual representations. It examines how what we see with the eye is the same as what we see with the mind, which basically implies that our sight enables for enhanced interpretation of concepts and ideas. I think they have a point, because being a teacher, I have to consider how most students hate to read books, but love the movies. There is no mystery behind this. The reason why they enjoy the movies, and TV for that matter, more than they enjoy reading is because it is easier for them to interpret visuals than rhetoric. They can make meaning of the moving pictures in a film with greater accuracy than they can when it comes to the written word; not all students, but many. The study explores the history of visual literacy and how people begin to interpret images and communicate through use of visuals at a very early age; about 12 months old! A one-year-old is capable of deciphering meaning from images that he/she sees. That is incredible! The study also pronounces that these youngsters can tell the difference between images, symbols, and people that are similar, such as parental figures. They argue that a very high percentage of all sensory learning is visual and that we need to read images in a meaningful way since they are so prominent within society. Furthermore, visual literacy is becoming the predominant form of communication between people. In order to be literate, we must be able to develop an understanding of visual semantics. There are certain questions that one might need to answer to illustrate their visual literacy comprehension, such as:
- Who created the image?
- At what point of history and in what context was the image created?
- Who commissioned the image?
- For what purpose was the image created?
- In what context is the image being seen?
- Who is the intended audience of the image?
- In what form)s) of media will the image be seen?
- What has been omitted, altered or included in an image?
- What does the image say about our history?
- What does the image communicate about our individual or national identity?
- What does the image say about society?
- What does the image say about an event?
- What aspects of culture is an image communicating?
If one is able to articulate their understanding of the visual symbols that are shown to them, then they will be productive, communicative, and active members within society. In lieu of society's interdependence on visual expression and interpretation, it makes it not only important for educators to include elements of visual literacy within their teachings, but essential. Bamford includes some different means of introducing the study of visual literacy that might prove fun and rewarding for students and also points out what topics will prove useful in discussion of the discourse, such as issues, information, who (the communicator), persuasion, and assumptions. The article then explores how technology can be used to promote the exploration of visual literacy. Bamford believes that visual literacy is the future and perhaps the only way our voices will be heard in such a picture-centric landscape.
WHO NEEDS WORDS WHEN VISUALS CAN TELL US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW...
1/20/2011 Our first class together was long, but very informative and enlightening! I definitely walked away with knowledge gained and enhanced perspective. I graduated from Rowan University with a bachelors degree in Communication, and it seems as though "visual literacy" has a lot to do with mass media, which is a subject that I really enjoyed during my undergraduate studies. Thus, I believe my expertise in this area will come in handy and I am very eagerly looking forward to what the rest of this semester has to offer!
