How does text and image contribute and affect the communication?

How text and image work in communication? This is a key point always remained me when i did my design work, but i still not clear of it. Today i have read something about Ferdinand de Saussure  who was a Swiss linguist, Based on theories of Ferdinand de Saussure I will analyse how the message communicate with the receiver. The Swiss linguist, Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) has explored the ideal about how the message created by sign influence the communication. 

 In Saussure’s theory holds that linguistic signs are composed of the arbitrary combination of sound patterns and concepts. It is concrete dimension the concept or signified is its abstract side while the signifier and the signified can be separated, analytical purposes. In other words the sign is composed of two parts one is the physical existence and the other one is the mental concept. The main difference of the communication is at the mental concept. Due to the different culture, environment, background and mood it will change the result of the message.

People with different culture have different understanding of same signs and symbols. For example based on the environment and culture, white as a color represent different things thus it’s outcome of the communication will be different.

                                     

In China white color represents death, thus people wear white color clothes in funerals.In their mind white color is related to something sad. The sad feeling which white color reflects is the mental concept of the Asians.

However, in the Western society white as a color is a symbol of pureness, it has been widely used in weddings and celebrations. Western people have connected it with happiness.

An extraordinary book!

For me traditional reading is reducing in this fast development science and technology period, especially reading book that is written by an unfamiliar word for me. My first language is Chinese I could not focus on a book over 1 hour written by English without image.  I think I am not along, many people prefer to get information though a joyful and easy way. So, that is a duty of book designer should to think about…

Mysteries of Vernacular are a fun and admirable project from Myriapod Productions comprising short animated films about etymology. Each film sketches the history of a word in the form of a story lasting a couple of minutes.

There are to be 26 in total, one for each letter of the alphabet, So far, assassin, clue, hearse and pants have been completed. The animation is inventive, inviting and understated, drawing viewers through an old book whose pages inform and amuse as they turn. I really enjoy this short animation and I think I will buy or read a book like this one if it attached a video explanation … As a Graphic Designer I like we should break 

some traditional simplex rule, we can do any idea lighten out in our mind. I hope I can not only combine design and play together but also make my audience laugh and learn something.