Product Description

Visual Research explores both quantitative and qualitative research methods in visual communication. The latest title in AVA Academia imprint, this book addresses the need for an extensive discussion of problem solving processes in the graphic design field. Fully illustrated with reference to real-life case studies it eschews standard analyses of ‘end product’ artefacts to discuss the relatively unexplored process of design analysis. Examining areas such as audience, communication theory, semiotics and semantics this book is aimed at all creative professionals wishing to explore research methods within visual media design.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75803 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 244 pages

Sherry Blankenship, ICOGARDA Magazine USA, May 05
This book clearly presents research methods used in visual communication that will serve both students and professionals.

Label, (Italian Style Magazine),Luca Ballarini Summer 2005
A rigorous book of theory unable to restrain itself from showing practical examples, combining elegant prose with full-page visuals.

About the Author
Ian Noble is currently director of research and postgraduate programmes within the School of Graphic Design at the London College of Communication. He has worked professionally as an editorial designer and as an educator and design writer.

Russell Bestley is a senior lecturer at the London College of Communication. His work has been primarily concerned with research through education and practice. He is currently undertaking a PhD on the second-generation of UK punk and graphic design.

Customer Reviews

Thought-provoking and useful
This was on the reading list for my course at the London College of Communication, so I thought I'd have a look.

It's a very nicely designed and laid out book (a common feature with this publisher I think). It offers a lot of insight into researching visually - something that I, as someone without an arts background, often find difficult to understand.

It's helped me develop a methodology for research - rather than just jumping blindly into a project and hoping for inspiration and ideas to hit me. This book is all about a structured approach to gathering visual material and analysing it, and using that research and analysis to overcome design problems.

There are some nice case studies to support the book's argument, including a particularly good one by Sarah Backhouse concerning the graphical representation of the passage of time in Stoker's Dracula.

I'd recommend this to anyone who's interested in the process of graphic design, students and designers both.