Useful Terminology

Question 1

aspects of images or texts which work together to communicate a message

Answer 1

signifier

Question 2

an image that stands for something abstract

Answer 2

symbol

Question 3

an image that resembles the thing it represents

Answer 3

icon

Question 4

a design used to represent an organisation so that the company or organisation becomes associated with the design

Answer 4

logo

Question 5

the author’s arrangement of objects in relation to each other, use of color and contrast, amount of negative space, and use of light and depth

Answer 5

composition

Question 6

the space around and between the subject(s) of an image

Answer 6

negative space

Question 7

natural focal points of images which commonly occur at the intersection of columns and rows when an image is divided into thirds

Answer 7

rule of thirds

Question 8

there is a causal relationship between the signifier and the signified, which means that the image is telling a story

Answer 8

visual narrative

Question 9

the process of making an image meaningful by adding words (or of making words meaningful by adding images)

Answer 9

anchoring

Question 10

a title or brief explanation accompanying an illustration, cartoon, or poster

Answer 10

caption

Question 11

a picture or a drawing

Answer 11

illustration

Question 12

the upper left and right corners of the cover on a magazine or newspaper

Answer 12

ears and teasers

Question 13

statements, questions, or phrases which capture the reader’s attention and lead an article

Answer 13

headlines

Question 14

elements worthy of analysis when a person is the subject of an image such as: smiles and teeth, gaze, position of hands, skin, and torso

Answer 14

body language

Question 15

where the subject(s) of the photo are looking in relation to the camera

Answer 15

gaze