
Visual Communication
From Theory to Practice
AVA Publishing SA
Published on 12. June 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-2-940373-09-3 (ISBN)
Description
The title incorporates contextual essays that explore how cultural theory can be applied to the real-world practice of graphic design, and are discussed by designers such as Neville Brody, Michael Bierut and Joan Farrer. This title helps students to develop sound critical judgment and informed strategies for the conception of new ideas that accurately reflect the current zeitgeist. All arts graduates study cultural theory as a part of their degree courses. This title is a companion guide to this theory; it has been edited to fit broadly into the diverse curricula of art schools and colleges around the world and is tailored for course adoptions.
Reviews / Votes
'If you read this book you will pass all your design studies without even thinking about it!' - Jamie Steane, Northumbria University, UK. 'This book is excellent. It is beautifully presented and well printed. It is going to become a highly recommended book for my students throughout the course of their postgraduate studies ... This book will really help students get to grips with the links between theory and practice.' - Adrian Hickey, University of Ulster, UK. 'Excellent, well informed and lucid book which effectively balances sophisticated and complex theoretical concepts with well chosen and relevant practical examples, serving to contextualise theory in a manner that I would expect to engage students at all levels of undergraduate design study.' - Will Hill, Anglia Ruskin University, UK. 'Introduces a critical framework within which to locate graphic design issues and activities ... I think this is a really good book ... It asks a lot of questions and challenges assumptions. Most students switch off during theory debates - but this puts the debate into context and illustrates arguments well.' - Sallyanne Theodosiou, University College for the Creative Arts, UK. 'I love the way AVA lays out the content in their books. The quality of the books themselves as well as their content have been key factors in my using them as course materials.' - Vanessa B. Cruz, University of North Florida, USA.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Lausanne
Switzerland
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
175 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 299 mm
Width: 221 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
1093 gr
ISBN-13
978-2-940373-09-3 (9782940373093)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2019
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€38.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
AVA Publishing SA
€50.89
The article will not be published
Persons
Jonathan Baldwin is a lecturer in design history, theory and practice at Dundee University, Scotland. He teaches and writes on issues related to popular culture, the media, graphic design and higher education and has experience working as a professional graphic designer and has contributed to many publications and conferences on art and design in higher education. Lucienne Roberts established the design studio sans+baum after a brief period at The Women's Press, hoping to ally a commitment to accessible and engaging design with a socially aware agenda. Roberts' new studio LucienneRoberts+ started at the end of 2006. Roberts was a signatory of the First Things First manifesto, has taught at Yale and the London College of Communication and was a D&AD judge in 2008. She is a regular contributor to Eye magazine and Grafik.
Content
How to use this book
The Theory
Foreword: Isn't design simply all about 'the visual'?
The Practice
Foreword
Chapter One: Communication
Aims of chapter 1
The Theory
Introduction: Even natural processes have explanations
Communication as a process
Semiotics
All design is political: part one
Afterword: No more rules?
The Practice
Introduction
Neville Brody
Michael Bierut
Questions in summary
Chapter Two: Culture
Aims of chapter 2
The Theory
Introduction: Everyday visual communication
What is culture?
All design is political: part two
Style and identity
Afterword: 'Meaningful' is not the same as 'full of meaning'...
The Practice
Introduction
Joan Farrer
Shin Azumi and Tomoko Azumi
Questions in summary
Chapter Three: Conflict
Aims of chapter 3
The Theory
Introduction:
Form versus function: Styling as communication
All design is political: part three
The political designer
Design under threat?
Afterword: Beneath the surface
The Practice
Introduction
Erik Spiekermann
Emmi Salonen
Questions in summary
Design/photography biographies
Bibliography
Index
Credits