The most common tools individuals use to articulate complex and abstract concepts are writing and spoken language, long privileged as primary forms of communication. However, our, explanations of these concepts may be more aptly communicated through visual means, such as drawings. Interpreting and analyzing abstract graphic representations is…

An area of visual communication that might be classified as a "design failure" is the visual presentation of information about "prescription-only medicines" for patients. This information is provided on packaging, leaflets, brochures, labels and websites. The practical issue is that there are problems in convincing patients to…

Graphic design's messages can reach across streets and across the globe; they can bring together countries, communities and strangers for a common cause; they can also serve to divide otherwise amenable neighbors. Design students must fully understand this potential reach and thus the responsibility they have to create tolerant, informed messages.…

College students were surveyed to determine whether they comprehended, identified with, and were motivated by poster messages regarding safer sex, alcohol use, and stress management. Results are presented for males and females, response differences between men and women are discussed. Suggestions for improving effectiveness and eliminating design…

Presents a pilot study that investigates cross-cultural preferences of visual information in primary school children for whom English is a second language. Discusses results in terms of developmental considerations, background of participants, origin of publication, and graphic qualities of representations. (Author/LRW)