Understanding and developing Images in a book of poems

Abstract

This paper should explain the complexity of psychology, social(cultural), and other mechanisms in methods for achieving memorable and informative images in print/digital media through the impact on images in the area of Visual Communication, specifically in: Illustration, Calligraphy and Book Design as a whole. Some of those concepts have been applied in my effort to redesign a book of poetry At the Well from Korean Golden Poems, written by Kim So Yeop. We have no choice but to be drawn to images. Our brains are beautifully wired for the visual experience. For those with intact visual systems, vision is the dominant sense for acquiring perceptual information. We have over one million nerve fibers sending signals from the eye to the brain, and an estimated 20 billion neurons analyzing and integrating visual information at rapid speed (Connie Malamed

Visual Language for Designers, p9). Every single visual impulse (perceptual information) contains information about history, style, knowledge, philosophy… Consequently, understanding and designing images (illustrations, photographs, paintings…) involves wide variety of different things: 1. Mastering the knowledge of Art History, Design History and History of Religion in targeted area or social group

2. Knowledge of cognitive psychology and neuroscience – mind development

3. Understanding cultural diversity and semiotic codes in relation to history, trends, and religion, 4. Sociology. Therefore, processing visual information works on a subconscious level. Every person normally interacts with objects in his/hers environment without actively thinking about why and what makes things how they are. Combinations of text, images and ideas now saturate much of the world, promoting corporate consumer capitalism and brand recognition. It is now commonplace for illustrators and designers to be commissioned by corporate organizations in order to persuade customers to buy goods and services by creating and responding to patterns of behavior, aspirations, desires and needs. Commercial artists are now agents of consumption that manipulate signs, symbols and messages to educate, seduce, entertain and inform their specific target audiences.