Visual Literacy Defined
Visual literacy is a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media. Visual literacy skills equip a learner to understand and analyze the contextual, cultural, ethical, aesthetic, intellectual, and technical components involved in the production and use of visual materials. A visually literate individual is both a critical consumer of visual media and a competent contributor to a body of shared knowledge and culture.
"Visual Literacy Defined," from the ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.
Visual literacy in practice
This module will give you the opportunity to practice the third standard from the ACRL Visual Literacy Guidelines:
"The visually literate student interprets and analyzes the meanings of images and visual media."
What does this skill actually look like in practice in your classroom, in your own research, or in your creative practice?
- Take time to look at the image. Examine the construction, the layout, the materials used.
- What are the visual features of the image? Examine the color, exposure, lines, and movement of the image.
- What is your personal interpretation of the image? What do you think it is about? Is there a message or theme portrayed?
What questions do you have about the image or the creator? Continue your research by finding other resources about the image. The creator's own words or other scholarly interpretations can provide additional context about the creation, intention, and interpretation of the image. You can use this additional information to build on your own interpretation.
