The first part of the lecture was all about theory and the different variety of them. I found this very useful as I can use different theory methods in my work during my critical analysis. Critical thinking opens up new lines of enquiry, so this means that I will generate lots of research ideas.

Design Theory- Theoretical approach towards understanding design knowledge, principles and practice.

Generative Theory- Describes the ideas that are helpful in the making of graphic design- the concerns of the designer and the audience- expectations and behaviours and the larger communication system or environment.

Critical Theory- Evaluates design as a discipline and practice- It involves world views and frameworks for making judgements about the impact of design within social, historical and cultural contexts.

Models of Communication- Models are mental or physical structures that represent our experience of and knowledge about the world. They shape and organise our perceptions of new experiences and help to make sense of our thought processes.

Graphic Design Models- Define the scope of the work, the types of knowledge our collaborators consider important to the task, and our understanding of the consequences of our decisions and actions.

Graphic Design & Animation- Visual communication design is a creative process that combines the visual arts and technology to communicate ideas. It begins with a message that, in the hands of a talented designer, is transformed into visual communication that transcends mere words and pictures.

Communication design is a vast discipline that encompasses many aspects like animation, graphic design, photography, illustration, user interface and user experience design, logo design, multimedia and print media design.

Part Two

Shannon & Weaver Model of Communication- His mathematical theory of communication described message transmission from a signal source along a channel to a receiver. The signal passed through various types of interferences resulting in some information loss. Shannon’s aim was to reduce noise and improve the telephones ability to deliver a clear message.

Warren Weaver recognised this model as useful for describing interpersonal communication. He was interested in applying models from physical science to the understanding of human behaviour.

Noise: Can be physical, psychological, social, cultural or technical- anything that interferes with, disrupts or distorts the successful transmission of the message.

Emmert & Donaghy Model of Communication- They acknowledged communication always takes place in context, including the communicators themselves, as well as physical, socio-cultural and technological environments through which the message passes.

Communication Theorist David Berlo- Recognised that the message content, the design elements, spacing and structural arrangements, the composition especially times based media, all have implied meanings.

Naomi Klein: Journalist ‘No Logo’: Discusses the proliferation of corporate branding in the 70s and how the logo “served the same social function as keeping the price tag on ;everyone knew precisely what premium the wearer was willing to pay for style”

Adbusters- Reacted to and rejected this manipulation.

Representation

 

French Semiotican Jean Baudrillard: Discusses code from a cultural perspective in his work ‘The System of Objects’

The Treachery of Images- French Surrealist painter Rene Magritte

Overview

These lectures really helped me with understanding the different theories on how audience receive messages. I am particularly interested in the Shannon and Weaver model of communication.