Visual Techniques Definition
Angle Refers to the perspective of the The usage of angle can highlight
image and the positioning of the the character's dominance, size
camera
Foreground / Background Areas where the elements in a
visual text are positioned.
Foreground refers to elements
displayed at the front of the
image while the background
consists of the elements behind
it
Body Language Refers to how characters appear
in an image. This can include
facial expression, pose and
gesture
Colour Used to symbolise certain
features in an image or attract
audience attention to a specific
element
Comic Strips Short stories created using
illustrations with captions and
are usually published in
magazines and newspapers at
intervals
Composition Refers to the way that
something is put together or
arranged in the image. The
composition of an image refers
to the lines, shapes, colours, size
and space that are organised to
create meaning or an intention
Contrast Refers to elements of an image
that differ from one another.
Frame Refers to the composition of a
visual text. Includes the
consideration of the depth,
width and height of the object
Purpose
and appearance and can
contribute to emotions
The foreground is used to
highlight the main features of
the image while the background
is used to add more detail and
context to the image
Body Language is used to
analyse the emotions the
characters are feeling through
their facials, pose and gesture.
They are used to symbolise a
certain feature of the image or
to draw attention to a feature.
Comic strips are used to tell a
story through images and words
Composition is used to place all
the important elements of an
image effectively and
harmoniously.
Contrast is used to create
interest and highlight the focal
points of the image
Used to draw attention and
focus to a specific feature
 being represented
Illustration A drawing or painting that
represents an idea. In books,
illustrations illuminate to
emphasise the focus of the
story.
Graphic Novels Graphic Novels are narratives
that may be presented in the
comic strip format and are
published as a book. They also
may be a simple combination of
text and illustrations.
Juxtaposition Refers to elements of an image
that directly oppose one
another. Juxtaposition is similar
to contrast. The difference
between juxtaposition and
contrast is that contrast often
refers to the general placement
of different things while
juxtaposition refers to a direct
side-by-side equal placement.
Lighting Refers to the way light and
shadow are included in an
image
Positioning and Size Refers to where an element is
placed in a text and size refers
to how big or small the objects
are
Reading Path A reading path is the path you
take through a visual text. The
path moves from the most
salient elements to the least
salient elements.
Representation Is how the real world is shown
to the audience of the text
Salience The condition of being
prominent refers to the
importance of a subject with
Illustration is used to convey the
story through a visual take. It is
also used to help the viewers
understand or imagine
something better
Graphic Novels are used to
portray the story with images
and graphic design and
communicate the theme of the
story.
Used to highlight differences
between characters or things in
an image.
To highlight a specific area in the
image and imply something
about the characters
Suggests the significance of a
character or to draw attention
to specific features in the image
Used to guide you through the
image by relating the words and
images together
To let the audience relate to the
real world while looking at an
image
To grab the attention towards a
focal point in an image

Symbolism
Tagline
Triptych
Vectors
Visual Texts
Eating of Parents
-Big Ben and London Zoo in
the background (first panel)
-An angry rhinoceros with
blood dripping down (2nd
panel)
-Include James in the
foreground (third panel)
Visual Techniques
Triptych
other objects. The most salient
object in an image is the one
that grabs your attention the
most
Refers to something that
symbolises a meaning and that
goes beyond the literal.
A short text that is usually
featured on a film poster. It is
similar to a slogan and it hints at
the story
Refers to an artwork consisting
of three related panels side by
side
The lines in a photograph,
painting or image that draw to
the eye to a particular object or
person
Any text that relies on pictures
or images
The Promised Punishments
-Bare cellar
-With rats inside and out
-Black and white for
neutrality and simplicity
Visual Techniques
Positioning and Size
Used to add more meaning to a
visual text and to go beyond a
literal definition
Used to hint at the context of
the picture and convey its
themes it
Used to create a sequence or
show different important
elements of the same subject
matter
Used to draw the eye to a
person or particular object.
Communicate with the audience
through visuals
Looking at the Peach Tree
-James on the bottom right of
the image
-The peach tree taking the
rest of the area
-Color the peach tree area in
bright colours and colour
James in darker colours
Visual Techniques
Contrast
 Body Language Lighting Symbolism
Colour

Sophisticated language
Complex and engaging ideas
How your visuals help create meaning for the story
How those techniques help you capture the ideas and develop the story further