Visual Communication

Visual communication includes visual displays

of information, like, topography,
photography, signs, symbols and designs.

Television and video clips and computer

displays are the electronic form of visual
communication.
1.Body language: Body language is a form of visual
communication, which consists of posture, gestures, facial
expressions, eye movements etc.
• Facial expression: A facial expression is one or more motions or
positions of the muscles in the skin of face. Facial expressions for
happiness, sadness, anger and fear are similar throughout the world.
Proverb says, “Face is the index of mind.”

• Gestures: Gestures refers to visible bodily actions communicate

particular messages which include movement of the hands, face,
eyes, head or other parts of the body.
• Posture: Posture indicates the position in which we hold the body
when standing or sitting. It can help to communicate visually.

• Appearance and dress: Our clothes and dresses provide a good

visual signal to our interest, age, personality, taste and sex. Our
choice of colour, clothing, hairstyles and other factors affecting
appearance are also considered a means of visual communication.
Research on colour psychology has demonstrated that different
colours can evoke different moods.

• Touch: Touch is culturally determined; but each culture has a clear

concept of what parts of the body one may not touch. Basic
message of touch is to affect or control-protect, support and
disapprove [(i.e. hug, kiss, hit, kick)].
 Space or proximity: People often refer to their need
or “Personal space”, which is also an important type
of visual communication. If someone you don’t know
stands too close or touches too often, you will probably
begin to feel uncomfortable.
3. Distance: Distance is also an important type of visual
communication tool. The physical distance between the
people expresses the degree or level of intimacy,
acceptance and comfort.
4. Visual symbols: Visual symbols are also used from
long ago. For example, pigeon, tiger and white flag are
used as the symbol of peace, brave and alliance
respectively.
5. Signal: Signal is use in various situations as the tool
of visual communication.
6. Table, chart, diagram etc: Table, chart, diagram etc.
are used in data presentation.
Presentation methods of visual communication:
There are many ways through which information and
message can be presented. If you want to ensure the
effectiveness of the presentation, you should select the
most appropriate way. Some of the ways of presenting
information are: 
Tabulation, bar charts, line graph, pie charts, pictograms,
maps, diagrams, cartograms, flow charts, visual planning
boards, commuter graphics, Gantt charts etc.
Special Methods Communication
Special methods includes signs. This is the mechanical
type of communication, which includes the use of signal
flags such as used by ships, military salutes, horns, and
sirens. Drums as those used by tribal Africans and
smoke signals as used by American Indians in the old
West.
Also lights such as those used to communicate to
airplanes and jets are a type of communication.
Aesthetic communication takes place
through creative expressions such as playing
a musical instrument, dancing, painting and
sculpturing.
Symbolic communication is the use of
religious, status, or ego-building symbols.