Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Visual Communication

Anything that you see with your eyes can be considered a part of visual communication. The eyes are typically known as the weakest of the senses. They tend to mislead you into seeing something that is not there because your mind tries to fill in the blanks. Visual communication is typically used in a supportive role with other forms of communication such as verbal communication— but can also be independent.

One form of visual communication is the written word. The idea that we can scribble shapes and lines together into patterns and actually understand what they mean is incredible. However, there is a lot more to what is actually written than the words themselves. Most of the inflections and subtleties that can be understood through the spoken word are lost in the written word. The mind will try and fill in the blanks to add your own interpretation— which may not be what the author really meant. I admire people who can write well. These are the people who are very clear in what they say and will guide the reader into seeing what they want you to see.

Another form of visual communication is body language. A lot has been written about how to interpret body language, and I feel that it is very important when communicating with someone in person. However, the visual weaknesses are also present here as well. We may misinterpret the body language that we see, as well as project a false sense of attitude if our body language is not clear.

Understanding the weaknesses of visual communication gives us the opportunity to be more clear in what we say. We also become aware of how we project our meaning through what others see. Through this understanding and awareness we can become more effective in our visual communication with others.

7 comments:

Deb said...

this was awesome. i do need to improve my verbal skills!

Melanie Jacobson said...

This is interesting. Still, I'd have to say that I trust visual cues more for interpersonal communication that I do email just because there so much room to misinterpret if you don't have facial expressions or vocal intonations to help you understand what's really being said.

Mama Wheaton said...

I think in today's technology world there is a lot of miscommunication because how something sounds in print may not be what the person meant.

M@who said...

When you are reading this you really can't tell if I'm YELLING OR JUST ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE CAPS LOCK KEY

Wendyburd1 said...

I have no verbal skills. Zero.

I did take a Visual Communications class...but it was graphic design so doesn't count, how tragic!!

Lori said...

Great post! All these posts you have written on the various aspects of communication are so thought provoking and true.

nonna said...

they are great posts, i agree. i also can admit to not be able to comprehend hardly anything spoken but am great at learning through the written word. i'm also horrible at reading body language, telling if someone is lying to me or pulling my leg.
*sigh*
thanks for reminding me of how guilible i am
lol

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