According to the International Visual Literacy Association, a visually literate person is able to "discriminate and interpret the visible actions, objects, and/or symbols, natural or man-made, that he encounters in his environment."(Miller, 1985). This appropriately broad definition implies that visual literacy applies to many different disciplines. "Actions" can be hand signals, the movements of a dancer, or body language; "objects" carrying meaning can be religious artifacts, consumer goods, or threatening thunderclouds; "symbols" can include corporate logos, traffic lights, and directional signs. Consequently, many professionals require at least a basic understanding of visual literacy and its concepts: architects, urban planners, artists, photographers, teachers, advertisers, and those involved in theater, television, or film.
This Pathfinder is intended to assist students at tribal colleges in discovering the concepts and principles of visual literacy and how they relate to art, design, children's literature, and native art. It will help students answer such question as: What is visual literacy? What are the elements of design? How does visual literacy relate to children's literature? How is symbolism used in native art?
I selected only sources that are available free of charge on the Internet. I included a variety of sources, from those that provide only a definition of the term "visual literacy" to those that provide a detailed discussion of the subject and its applications. Where possible I chose interactive sources, and those that include images. To ensure both reliability and longevity, I gave preference to sites that originated from academic institutions, established organizations, or reputable publishers.
I began with a search of the term "visual literacy" using the Google search engine (www.google.com). Many of the sites retrieved provided links to other sites on visual literacy. For the Bibliography I gave preference to sites that were linked repeatedly to other sites, as I felt this indicated a certain approval of the site from the visual literacy community.
I also used other search engines available free on the Internet, including Ask Eric (http://ericir.syr.edu/) and FindArticles (http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/PI/index.jhtml). In most instances my search term was "visual literacy," but in searching for information on symbolism (particularly in reference to native art) my search term was "symbol" or "symbolism."
I evaluated each site according to its source, the language used (scholarly or casual), the use of illustrations, the intended audience, and the links provided.
There is an online version of this Pathfinder available at http://www.gslis.utexas.edu/~vlibrary/edres/pathfinders/atos.
Miller, L. (1985). Thoughts on visual literacy. (Bibliographic essay). Choice, 22 (7), 936-952.
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Style Guide:
American Psychological Association (2001). APAStyle.org. Retrieved 09/25/01 from http://www.apastyle.org/elecsource.html.
Please note: the abbreviation "n.d." indicates the source has no publication date.
1. The Benedict Visual Literacy Collection. (1998). Retreived 09/22/01 from http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/bvlc.htm.
This site defines visual literacy (http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/visual.htm) and includes background and historical information on the study of visual literacy. It also includes instructions on how to search online the Benedict Visual Literacy Collection at Arizona State University. The site also includes a few links to related sites, most of which are included in this Bibliography.
2. Branton, B. (1997). Visual literacy. Retrieved 09/22/01from http://vicu.utoronto.ca/staff/branton/homep.htm.
This is a good but quite simple introduction to some basic elements of design: color, shape, line and texture. The site includes useful definitions of related terms, and links to related sites.
3. Burkhardt, R. (2000). Visual literacy exercises. Retrieved 9/22/01 from http://www.channel1.com/users/bobwb/vlit/index.htm.
This series of exercises is based on the book A Primer of Visual Literacy by D. Dondis (MIT Press, 1973), but it isn't necessary to have read the book to use the exercises. The exercises encourage the reader to examine a variety of objects and images to determine what information the objects contain and how they convey that information.
4. Collegiate dictionary. (2001). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm.
This site includes both the dictionary and the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Thesaurus. Entering "visual literacy" in the search field for the dictionary retrieves an adequate definition of the term.
5. Debes, J., and Williams, C. (1978). Visual literacy, languaging, and learning. Retrieved 09/22/01 from http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/vlhist.htm.
This article provides good background information, particularly on the history of the study of visual communication and visual literacy. It discusses visual literacy and its relationship to body language, sign language, drawing and art, photography, film, and television.
6. Education Resources Information Center. (n.d.). AskERIC. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://ericir.syr.edu/.
This large database provides education-related information on a broad range of topics. Search the ERIC Database to find abstracts of journal articles. All abstracts and some articles are free, but there will be a fee for most articles. Searching the term "visual literacy" without limits retrieves over 1,300 abstracts. Limiting the search to "Full-text ERIC Digests" retrieves three online documents.
7. FindArticles. (n.d.). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/PI/index.jhtml.
FindArticles is a large database of recently published full-text articles that are available free of charge on the Internet. Once retrieved, articles may be printed or emailed. Searching "visual literacy" retrieved 21 articles.
8. Gillespie, J. (1996-2001). Navigation. In Web page design for designers. Retrieved 10/10/01 from http://www.wpdfd.com/wpdsymb.htm.
This Web site is not entirely dedicated to visual literacy, but the pages on designing navigation tools include an interesting discussion of symbols and graphic symbolism.
9. Google. (2001). Retrieved 09/15/01 from www.google.com.
Google may be the most popular and widely-used search engine on the Internet, because of its high rate of accuracy. Enter "visual literacy" in the search box, and select any of the four databases (Web, Images, Groups, and Directory) to retrieve related websites. The Images database retrieves over 300 images from Web sites which make some reference to visual literacy.
10. International Visual Literacy Association. (2001). Retrieved 09/15/01 from http://www.ivla.org/.
The Web site of the IVLA contains information about conferences, publications, membership, and links to related sites. The site includes a large bibliography of print resources. To access the bibliography from the IVLA home page, go to http://ivla.org/news/ and select "Research Documents." Please note that there is no link from the IVLA home page to the IVLA news page. The news page also provides links to other pages and sources not linked to the IVLA home page.
11. International Visual Literacy Association. (2001). Review. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.ivla.org/publications/review.htm.
Some recent issues of the IVLA's quarterly review are available online. Articles include reports on conferences and information about the Benedict Visual Literacy Collection at Arizona State University (http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/bvlc.htm).
12. Jirousek, C. (n.d.). Art, design, and visual thinking. (n.d.). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://char.txa.cornell.edu/zbs/webdocs/temp.htm.
Charlotte Jirousek wrote this interactive textbook to support the course "Art, Design, and Visual Thinking" which she teaches at Cornell University. It contains good detailed discussions of terms and concepts related to visual literacy, as well as a discussion of non-western approaches to art and design. Links include images of native clothing, regalia and textiles.
13. Knupfer, N. (Ed). (1998). Journal of visual literacy. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.ivla.org/jvl/jvlhome.htm.
The journal of the IVLA is published twice annually and is available only in print, but abstracts of some articles are available online. Photocopies of individual articles can be ordered via document delivery services from libraries that subscribe to the print journal. There may be a fee to cover photocopying and postage.
14. Makela, L. (1996). A visual literacy exercise. Retrieved 10/10/01 from http://www.csuohio.edu/history/exercise/vlehome.html.
This is a detailed online exercise using Japanese woodblock prints, designed to teach the reader how to use visual images as aids to study and research. The exercise will take about 30 minutes to complete.
15. NativeWeb. (1994-2000). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.nativeweb.org/.
NativeWeb contains information for and about indigenous cultures around the world. Click on "Search the Site" in the left-hand sidebar and enter a word (e.g., "symbol" or "image") to retrieve a list of print and electronic publications. Select the "Web Sites" option to limit your search to websites and exclude print sources.
16. The On-line visual literacy project. (1998). Retrieved 09/15/01 from http://www.pomona.edu/Academics/courserelated/classprojects/Visual-lit/intro/intro.html.
This site provides a detailed explanation and illustration of eleven visual elements that affect how we percieve or interpret what we see. It is well organized and makes good use of electronic media, including both animation and audio clips.
17. Visual communication, visual literacy. (2001). In The media and communication studies site. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Sections/image04.html.
A list of articles, recommended reading, and links to related sites. All articles are available online, and cover a wide range of topics from definitions of terms to analysis of photographs.
18. Visual Literacy and Picture Books. (n.d.). In Internet school library media center. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/picture.htm
This site provides links to a variety of sites discussing visual literacy and children's literature. It also includes links to websites concerned with visual literacy and related topics, including exercises, organization home pages, and definitions.
19. Visual Resources Association. (2001). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.vraweb.org/index.html.
While not concerned specifically with visual literacy, the Visual Resources Association promotes knowledge, research, and education related to visual information resources. Through its publications and conferences, members take part in discussions on issues related to the study of, access to, and management of images in all media.
20. Woodrow, R. (1997-2001). Analysis of visual images. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.newcastle.edu.au/department/fad/fi/woodrow/analysis.htm.
This is a highly theoretical, academic discussion of the analysis of images found in art and photography.
21. WWW Virtual Library - American Indians: Index of native American resources on the Internet. (2000). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/.
This extensive site includes links to hundreds of sites pertaining to Native North American culture and issues. Click on "Art Related Sites" to view a lengthy list of online exhibits (such as Pueblo Indian Watercolors) that include a discussion of symbols in native art.
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"Visual literacy" is the ability to discriminate and interpret the visible actions, objects, and/or symbols, natural or man-made, that we encounter in our environment. (Miller, 1985). This Pathfinder will help students of tribal colleges find information about visual literacy, including definitions; design elements; visual literacy and children's literature; and symbolism in native art. This Pathfinder is online at http://www.gslis.utexas.edu/~vlibrary/edres/pathfinders/atos.
Collegiate Dictionary. (2001). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.html
The Benedict Visual Literacy Collection. (1998). Retreived 09/22/01 from http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/visual.htm
Debes, J., and Williams, C. (1978). Visual literacy, languaging, and learning. Retrieved 09/22/01 from http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/vlhist.htm
The On-line visual literacy project. (1998). Retrieved 09/15/01 from http://www.pomona.edu/Academics/courserelated/classprojects/Visual-lit/intro/intro.html
Jirousek, C. (n.d.). Art, design, and visual thinking. (n.d.). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://char.txa.cornell.edu/zbs/webdocs/temp.htm.
FindArticles. (n.d.). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/PI/index.jhtml
Burkhardt, R. (2000). Visual literacy exercises. Retrieved 10/12/01 from http://www.channel1.com/users/bobwb/vlit/index.htm
Makela, L. (1996). A Visual Literacy Exercise. Retrieved 10/10/01 from http://www.csuohio.edu/history/exercise/vlehome.html
Visual Literacy and Picture Books. (n.d.). In Internet school library media center. Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/picture.htm
Gillespie, J. (1996-2001). Navigation. In Web page design for designers. Retrieved 10/10/01 from http://www.wpdfd.com/wpdsymb.htm
NativeWeb. (1994-2000). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.nativeweb.org/
WWW Virtual Library - American Indians: Index of native American resources on the Internet. (2000). Retrieved 10/13/01 from http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/.
International Visual Literacy Association. (2001). Retrieved 09/15/01 from http://www.ivla.org/
If you need help or more information, a librarian will always be glad to help you.
If you have questions or comments about this Pathfinder, please let me know:
Prepared by Merilee Atos
for LIS 382L.2
Information Resources in the Humanities
October 17, 2001
Dr. Loriene Roy
UT Austin
Miller, L. (1985). Thoughts on visual literacy. (Bibliographic essay). Choice, 22 (7), 936-952.