Visual Media and Information

1. Visual media and information – materials, programs, applications and the like that teachers and students use to formulate new information to aid learning through the use, analysis, evaluation and production of visual images.

2. Types of visual media – photography, video, screenshots, infographics, data visualization (charts and graphs),

comic strips/cartoons, memes, visual note-taking, etc

3. Formally and informally produced visual media – visual media produced by formal organizations such as

schools, government, and established media/publishing outfits are considered formally produced. Other visual

media are considered informally produced.

4. Purpose of visual information – the primary purpose of visual information is to gain attention, create meaning, and facilitate retention.

5. Visual design elements - the building blocks or basic units in the construction of a visual image. 

The Design Elements are:

a. Line – describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and can be thick or thin. Lines may be actual,

implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or contour lines.

b. Shape – usually a geometric area that stands out from the space next to or around it, or because of

differences in value, color, or texture. Shape may also be organic.

c. Value – the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in

between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between

values.

d. Texture – the way a surface feels or is perceived to feel. Texture can be added to attract or repel interest to a

visual element. Visual texture is the illusion of the surfaces peaks and valleys, resulting in a feeling of

smoothness or roughness in objects.

e. Color – determined by its hue (name of color), intensity (purity of the hue), and value (lightness or darkness of

hue). Color and color combination can play a large role in the design. Color may be used for emphasis, or

may elicit emotions from viewers. Color maybe warm, cool, or neutral. It plays a major role in our visual

perception, as it influences our reactions about the world around us. It is therefore important to create color

palettes that evoke the appropriate audience reactions. Color has three properties.

f. Form – a figure having volume and thickness. An illusion of a 3-dimensional object can be implied with the

use of light and shading. Form can be viewed from many angles.