Visual Elements Study Note #1

Nonverbal Communication

• Gazing with squinty eyes typically shows suspicion or distrust.

Color Symbolism

• Red represents warmth, cheerfulness, and optimism.
• Black symbolizes death, mourning, or power.
• Blue represents calmness, tranquility, and trust.

Visual Elements

• Visual elements are the building blocks of an image, including lines, shapes, textures, colors, and spaces.
• The foundation of all drawings is lines, which can be geometric or organic.

Line Symbolism

• A diagonal line suggests tension, conflict, or dynamic movement.

Symbols

• Symbols are objects or images that represent abstract ideas or concepts.
• The Eiffel Tower is often used to represent the city of Paris.

Composition and Gaze

• Framing in the context of visual elements refers to the placement of objects within a image to create a sense of depth or focus.
• In intimate social distance, subjects are close and large, while in public social distance, subjects are small and distant, and in public distance, subjects are tiny and hard to recognize in the vast setting.
• Gaze contributes to conveying meaning in an image by directing the viewer's attention and creating a sense of connection with the subject.