Visual Devices Flashcards
What are some visual techniques?
Allusions , Angles/Lines, Body Language, Colour (Hue/Tone), Composition, Contrast, Salience and Vectors.
What is “Allusions” and it’s effect?
References to other images/visual media, including art, films, pop culture, religious icons, etc. Sometimes in the form of a parody (referencing another image but making it humorous), these usually re-contextualise or “change the meaning” of the original media. To develop meaning by signalling a connection to or awareness of other ideas.
What is “Angles/Lines” and it’s effect?
The ‘direction’ of an image based on the angles or lines within it. Horizontals create a sense of calm, verticals create a sense of structure and diagonals a mood of unease or being off- balance.
What is “Body Language” and it’s effect?
Facial expressions, body language and gestures used to show character’s attitudes, moods or personality. Often focussed on overall body movement and positioning.
What is “Colour (Hue/Tone)” and it’s effect?
Colours are symbolic of different emotions, moods, etc. and are used to evoke corresponding responses in audiences. Purple is a colour of royalty, wealth and luxury whereas red symbolises lust, passion, anger and so on. Also consider how saturated colours are (are they bright and vivid or dull and desaturated?).
What is “Composition” and it’s effect?
What an image is made up of where things are placed, how it is framed, the colour and lighting used, etc. This generally refers to the image as a whole. It helps in pulling the viewer’s eye to one specific point or creating a visual flow from top to bottom
What is “Contrast” and it’s effect?
Placing things that are considered opposite close to each other. Contrasts can be between colours (black and white), sizes (large and small), textures (rough and smooth), etc. to create interest and complexity. One small contrasting colour/size/shape in an image is also usually highly salient because it stands out.
What is “Salience “ and it’s effect?
How much any section of an image draws the viewer’s eyes - the most salient feature of an image is whatever/wherever the viewer’s eyes are first drawn when they look at it. Salience is always deliberate and usually created through contrast, colour, framing and layout.
What is “Vectors” and its effect?
The lines or paths viewer’s eyes follow when looking at an image, usually vectors are deliberately created to lead the eyes to a focal point or important feature. Because we read left to right we tend to follow vectors in the same direction across an image.
