Developing an aesthetic theory of advertising, this paper offers the premise that advertising is a ritual, that it provides cultural roles, and that it reinforces people's perceptions of their common experiences. The paper discusses advertising and advertising art as a process that both draws from and is sustained by general culture while serving…

Lines are elemental design devices that provide the primary structure for visual expressions in printed media. Gestalt principles of perception emphasize the role of the viewer, so the energy of the lines and the commercial viability of a particular design depend upon the designer's and photojournalist's understanding of both the viewer's…