Since the advent of the scientific method in the 16th century, the sciences have revolutionized our world. With unprecedented speed in leaving one world-changing discovery after another in their wake, the sciences have grown into what they are today, the empirical study of nearly everything (Timothy Williamson, Doing Philosophy: From Common Curiosity to Logical Reasoning, Oxford University Press, 2018).
Bertolak dari pandangan burung (birds-eye view) Williamson di atas, ‘studi empiris tentang hampir segala sesuatunya’ bertumpu pada salah satu indera manusia yang dominan, yaitu penglihatan (sight).
Ketika saya membuka apps Blinkist hari ini, saya dikejutkan dengan munculnya sebuah fitur baru, yaitu Infografis.
Fitur ini sedemikian menarik dan menggoda saya untuk upgrade subscription type 🙂
Berikut beberapa contohnya yang berhasil saya unduh dari apps nya langsung. (c) Blinkist
Keheranan saya mungkin terlihat ketinggalan zaman mengingat salah satu media massa terkemuka dunia, yaitu The New York Times, sudah mengemas berita dan liputannya sedemikian rupa sejak 10+ tahun lalu.
Berikut beberapa contohnya (FYI: saya berlangganan New York Times digital version sejak beberapa tahun lalu)
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/20/us/2024-year-in-graphics.html
Guna mengonfirmasi ketakjuban saya akan betapa menarik dan kaya akan informasi yang relatif simple to understand ini, saya lalu bertanya pada ChatGPT dan scite.ai, bagaimana cara memahami fenomena ini dari kacamata ilmu komunikasi.
Berikut jawaban, link, dan juga prompt-nya.
Semoga information sharing ini bermanfaat bagi sidang pembaca yang budiman!
Prompt: Give me some insights into the rise of the visual culture and infographics from communication science perspective ever since 2000’s up to now!
ChatGPT’s version of answer:
https://chatgpt.com/c/67963aaf-dfac-800e-bed1-3f8734e498d1
The rise of visual culture and infographics since the 2000s can be analyzed through multiple lenses within communication science. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Technological Advancements
a) Digital Media Revolution: The widespread adoption of digital technology, including smartphones and social media platforms, has enabled easier access to visual content. High-speed internet and advanced graphic design tools made creating and sharing visuals more efficient.
b) User-Friendly Tools: Platforms like Canva, Piktochart, and others democratized the ability to create infographics, allowing non-experts to produce professional-looking visuals.
c) Social Media Platforms: Sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and later TikTok emphasize visuals as a primary mode of communication. The algorithmic preference for visually appealing content further drives its proliferation.
2. Cognitive Psychology and Communication
a) Information Processing: Humans are wired to process visual information faster than text. Infographics and visual storytelling capitalize on this, enabling complex data or messages to be understood quickly and effectively.
b) Attention Economy: In an era of information overload, visuals stand out more effectively than text, grabbing attention within seconds—critical in communication where retention is a challenge.
c) Memory and Retention: Visuals improve recall compared to text alone, which is particularly valuable in educational, marketing, and news contexts.
3. Cultural and Social Shifts
a) Shift Toward Visual Literacy: As visual media has grown, so too has the expectation that audiences can “read” and interpret visuals effectively. Visual literacy is now a key skill for participation in modern communication.
b) Meme Culture: The rise of memes, GIFs, and other visual forms of informal communication highlights how visuals have become embedded in everyday social interactions.
c) Globalization: Visuals are inherently cross-cultural, making them an effective tool for communication in a globalized world, where language barriers are common.
4. Applications in Different Domains
a) Journalism: Infographics have become a staple in presenting data-heavy stories, making them accessible to broader audiences. Interactive infographics have added depth to this.
b) Marketing and Branding: Brands use infographics to distill product features, company values, or trends into shareable formats that align with modern attention spans.
c) Education and Public Awareness: From explaining public health campaigns to teaching students, infographics serve as a pedagogical tool.
d) Politics: Political campaigns, protests, and advocacy often use infographics to communicate key messages succinctly.
5. Challenges and Critiques
a) Misrepresentation of Data: Poorly designed infographics can lead to misunderstandings or intentional manipulation of data.
b) Over-Saturation: The overuse of visuals has led to competition for attention, where only the most innovative or striking visuals stand out.
c) Loss of Depth: While visuals simplify information, they sometimes oversimplify, losing nuance and depth critical to understanding complex topics.
6. Future Trends
a) Interactive and Personalized Infographics: Advances in AI and data visualization software are leading to more personalized and engaging infographics tailored to individual user preferences.
b) Integration with AR/VR: Visual storytelling is evolving with augmented and virtual reality, creating immersive experiences.
c) Data Democratization: Open data initiatives may further fuel the rise of public-driven infographics, enabling citizens to create and share their interpretations of data.
From a communication science perspective, the rise of visual culture reflects a broader shift toward more accessible, engaging, and globalized forms of communication. However, it also raises critical questions about literacy, ethics, and the balance between simplification and complexity.
Scite.ai version of answer:
https://scite.ai/assistant/give-me-some-insights-into-the-rise-of-the-visual-culture-and-in-3nXD2K
The rise of visual culture and infographics since the early 2000s has been significantly influenced by advancements in technology and changes in communication practices. This transformation is rooted in the increasing importance of visual elements in conveying information across various media platforms. The proliferation of digital technologies has enabled the integration of visual communication into everyday life, leading to a hyper-visual environment where images and graphics are essential for effective communication (Yudhanto, 2023; Rose, 2014; Chatterjee, 2023).
Visual culture has emerged as a critical area of study within communication science, reflecting the ways in which visual experiences are embedded in social and cultural practices. This evolution has been characterized by a shift from traditional text-based communication to a more image-centric approach, where visuals serve not only as supplementary elements but as primary vehicles for meaning-making (Rose, 2014). The integration of graphic design principles into science communication has been particularly noteworthy, as it enhances the accessibility and effectiveness of complex scientific information (Estrada & Davis, 2014; Murchie & Diomede, 2020). Infographics, in particular, have gained traction as tools that simplify data presentation, making it easier for diverse audiences to comprehend intricate subjects (Jarreau et al., 2021).
Moreover, the role of visual storytelling has gained prominence in science communication, especially during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Visual narratives have been shown to improve message accessibility and self-efficacy among audiences, demonstrating the power of visuals in shaping public understanding and behavior (Jarreau et al., 2021). This trend underscores the necessity for communicators to consider their target audiences carefully and to refine visual elements accordingly, ensuring that visuals are not merely decorative but integral to the communication strategy (Estrada & Davis, 2014).
The academic discourse surrounding visual culture has expanded, with new journals and methodologies emerging to explore the implications of visuality in contemporary society (Rose, 2014). This includes an examination of how visual representations can influence cultural identity and social dynamics, as seen in studies of regional cultural symbols and their application in visual communication design (“Regional Cultural Symbols in Visual Communication Design”, 2022). Furthermore, the intersection of visual communication with popular culture has been explored, revealing how visual elements shape and reflect cultural narratives (Alhajji, 2023; Hu & Chai, 2012).
In summary, the rise of visual culture and infographics from a communication science perspective highlights a significant shift towards visual-centric communication strategies. This transformation is driven by technological advancements, the need for effective information dissemination, and the growing recognition of the role of visuals in shaping cultural and social narratives. As visual culture continues to evolve, it remains essential for communicators to harness the power of visuals to engage audiences and convey complex information effectively.
References
Liu, W. (2022). Regional cultural symbols in visual communication design. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.25236/ijfs.2022.040514
Alhajji, M. (2023). An examination of the connections between visual communication and pop culture. Migration Letters, 20(S12), 109-130. https://doi.org/10.59670/ml.v20is12.5844
Chatterjee, S. (2023). Vizualizing branding: metamorphosis of advertising, visual strategies and their cultural significance. Vista, (12), e023014. https://doi.org/10.21814/vista.4891
Estrada, F. and Davis, L. (2014). Improving visual communication of science through the incorporation of graphic design theories and practices into science communication. Science Communication, 37(1), 140-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547014562914
Hu, Y. and Chai, X. (2012). Reflection about popular culture in the context of visual communication. Advanced Materials Research, 433-440, 5390-5395. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.433-440.5390
Jarreau, P., Su, L., Chiang, E., Bennett, S., Zhang, J., Ferguson, M., … & Algarra, D. (2021). Covid issue: visual narratives about covid-19 improve message accessibility, self-efficacy, and health precautions. Frontiers in Communication, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2021.712658
Murchie, K. and Diomede, D. (2020). Fundamentals of graphic design—essential tools for effective visual science communication. Facets, 5(1), 409-422. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2018-0049
Rose, G. (2014). On the relation between ‘visual research methods’ and contemporary visual culture. The Sociological Review, 62(1), 24-46. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-954x.12109
Yudhanto, S. (2023). Cultural and communication approaches in the design of visual communication design works. jolcc, 1(1), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.61320/jolcc.v1i1.79-90
