This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
About 30 years ago, cameras introduced photography to our daily lives as a communication tool distinct from others. Yet, if we look closely, the phenomenon we call visual communication dates back even further—some even claim drawings were made as far back as 4,000 years ago.
Indeed, drawing can be considered a form of visual communication. For instance, a child who has not yet learned to speak can convey their feelings through a few simple sketches on paper. In this article, we will touch upon the characteristics that distinguish this type of communication from others.
Visual communication employs tools such as graphics, images, and symbols, while verbal communication includes speech, books, and articles. Visual communication is quickly perceived and has high retention in memory. Verbal communication requires time to understand and is easily forgotten. Visual communication is generally comprehensible to everyone without language barriers or the need for translation. Verbal communication, however, often requires translation and sometimes cultural knowledge.
When considering all this, our aim is not to diminish the importance of verbal communication, because without verbal communication, the significance of visual communication might not even exist. Nevertheless, across many areas—from daily life to academia—we recommend using these visual tools, which add color to our work and offer alternative perspectives.
Let us briefly examine the role of visual communication in the 20th century...
A visual representing visual communication. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)
While people were still getting accustomed to photography, new tools such as telephones, graphic design applications, and now artificial intelligence have entered the scene. As a result, those who work professionally in this field may have felt somewhat overwhelmed. In this article, our goal is to simplify the appropriate use of these tools and open a new perspective. Screens of smartphones, smartwatches, televisions, cinemas, and similar products can be considered today’s most widely used platforms for visual communication. Indeed, they now appear to have replaced paper.
Everything from a video to an image seen on social media is nothing but an act of visual communication. What if you wanted to convey the same words, sentences, and meanings you could express verbally, but through visual means instead? Of course, doing so without any text would make the task more difficult. What if you had to do it using only symbols? It is precisely here that we must discuss certain professions...
Those who likely apply this practice daily in countless different ways are professionals deeply engaged in these fields. All are connected to design, including engineering and fine arts. Consider a traffic sign: it delivers a message using only a single symbol. Or think of a billboard advertisement: it is a specially designed visual communication product intended for our immediate understanding and rapid perception.
This form of visual communication may not have existed in this form hundreds of years ago. With technology, visual communication has revolutionized our lives and now occupies a central position. Developing our skills in this mode of communication and integrating it into our own work can open new doors for us.
The reason we discuss this topic so extensively is that we have become as addicted to visual communication as we are to written text. Is this due to our laziness, or has technology truly demanded this shift and guided us there? We do not know for certain; however, we all agree that there are important issues everyone must recognize in this regard.
Traffic sign. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)
Finally, as a graphic designer, I would like to conclude this article by sharing a lesson I learned from some of the challenges I faced while seeking ideas.
While working with one of today’s well-known companies, I was required to create 100 visuals per day for products such as phones, tablets, and computers. These visuals were meant to illustrate certain features of the products. While preparing these, a question came to mind: Perhaps millions of designers like me produce similar work every day, resulting in billions of visual products. Would it even be possible to achieve this through writing—or to write a book for each individual product?
I do not know. But I can say I realized that visual communication has seriously streamlined certain tasks and perhaps helped focus the message through alternative perspectives.
I hope I have provided you with some useful and beneficial information applicable to your own work.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
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