I have seen Killy Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne before during my senior year in High School, but it was still very shocking for me to watch this again. It still amazes me what advertisers put out there. I grew up in a small town, so I wasn't exposed to billboards and constant advertisement, at least not the same type of advertisement you would expect to see in a large city. I did still get exposed to these sexual ads via TV, magazines, and the radio though. Advertising has been around forever and isn't going anywhere. We, as a a society, need to change the way we view and share advertising. In reality though, I just don't see that happening. Our society is too focused on sex, that most of the ads out there today have sex as either a main message or subliminal message. This is deeply troublesome to me, and I really wish there was a way for me to change the advertising world. For now though, we will have to take small steps to change womens' views of themselves. Movements such as the Dove campaign, Special K, Slim Fast and Weight Watchers are some good examples of what women, and men, can use to help motivate this change. Below is a preview of Killing Us Softly 4 for you to enjoy. I would like to ask you all, if you could change just one (1) thing about advertising in today's American society, what would it be and why?
Now that we have have a few classes, and discussed aspects of visual literacy during class, I have decided to see what other people define visual literacy as to help me develop my own definition/theory of it. Below are three definitions that I found to be the most helpful to me. Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading. (Wikipedia)
From justbathroomsigns.com
Visual literacy is the ability to look at visual information with perception. A visually literate person understands how visual elements contribute to the meaning of the whole. (PBS) Visual literacy is the ability to interpret and use design elements of visual texts and to understand how they can be used for particular purposes in specific contexts. (Oxford University Document)
From newworldencyclopedia.org
After reading through this definitions, I have established my own theory: Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, create meaning from, and use visual information and elements to communicate with others the meaning of a whole idea.
I also wanted to find websites and videos that help define and expand the meaning of visual literacy. Visual literacy K-8 is a website for K-8 classroom teachers who are interested in helping children to read and write information, both print and electronic. Visual literacy helps children to learn to read and to enjoy reading! Examples of visual texts include: diagrams, maps, tables, time lines, and storyboard.
I also found a pretty cool wiki that is all about visual literacy. The wiki includes definitions, activities, reasons why to learn about it, and how to use it.
from clevelandsports.org
from otisframpton.typepad.com
dormzy.com
This video is very thought provoking and really made me think about the power of visual symbols and the everyday effect they have on people from all societies.
This video is made for teachers to use in their classrooms to inspire students.
To sum up, I have learned a lot about visual literacy while searching different websites and videos. There are visual symbols EVERYWHERE in our world, and all citizens should know how to interpret this symbols that represent specific people, places, things, and ideas. Throughout this post are some images that I see everyday in my life as a college student at UNI.
From friends-scripts.tumblr.com
From http://local.yahoo.com/info-
45044036-cradles-2-crayons-cedar-falls
I found this video and completely loved it! The video perfectly depicts the important and consistency of visual symbols in the world today, both digitally and in person.
Found at cheyart.blogspot.com
Visual symbols are EVERYWHERE! No matter where I go, I am constantly viewing visual symbols, whether it be on campus (in classrooms, dining centers, etc) or off campus (at stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc). Visual symbols are always affecting my daily life. Some of the visual symbols I see include: road signs (speed limit, yield, stop); religious icons, such as the cross, yen and yang, and menorah; signs in the library that represent food, drinks, or quiet/group areas; musical notes; handicap signs; and the pink breast cancer ribbon.
Found at parafreview.hostiko.com
One visual symbol that I didn't mention yet is a tattoo. I plan on getting a tattoo soon in memory of my Dad, and this is the visual symbol that affects my life most. I have always wanted to get a tattoo, but not of just anything. A tattoo is permanent, and I want it to mean something to me (to represent me as a true visual symbol). I plan on getting my dad's signature along with his birth and death dates tattooed on my upper back to honor what a great man he was. Tattoos are powerful visual symbols because they can represent who a person truly is. Just by looking at someone with a tattoo(s), generally, you can get a sense of who they are. I want my tattoo is show everyone my love, respect, and grief of my dad. Also, my tattoo has personal significance to me, which is why it is such a powerful visual symbol of who I am.
This video demonstrates the power of symbols in the past and present.
Found at flickr.com User: tif_fanny
thegreatoutdoorslandscape.com
In my search of visual symbols, I came across a website that was an online visual dictionary. Merriam Webster Online Visual Dictionary. This website has visuals of words one may be trying to search. This helps me understand visual symbols because it gives pictures and symbols of different words throughout the website. Try it out and see if you can find some interesting symbols that represent who you are!
