Rhetoric Neutrality
Kim Nguyen
Module Leader- Martin Devenny
CDI Level 5 C & CS
Module code- 5CTA1011
Critical Analysis The rhetoric of neutrality- Robin Kinross
Discuss the visual rhetoric in graphic design.
Graphic design is a vast industry in visual communication, using information, typography, isotopes, and diagrams as a way to communicate across to its audiences. Through detailed investigations of design and taking on Robin Kinross (1985), claims that the distinction between design for information and design for persuasion “cannot be a clear one” this work will explore the possibilities of visual rhetoric in graphic design.
The term rhetoric is using language for the purpose of persuasion. (Jury, 2004).
Graphic design is seen as neutral as it is all about its function and ‘pure information’, as opposed to advertising, which promotes and persuades. Yet it is a designer’s job to communicate and translate concepts and ideas into visual representations.
These visual representations have a purpose and since these designs have a purpose, it is essentially the rhetorical functions in Graphic design. It could be argued, what is the message that is to be persuaded? But what is the point of having a graphics piece that has no meaning? The message portrayed is hidden by many aspects of rhetoric this does not necessary mean that all persuasion is in the form of brain washing, but a way of reasoning. Whether or not the information had been intended to be neutral, there is always some kind of rhetorical function behind it.
In Robin Kinross the rhetoric of Neutrality, Gui Bosiepe’s theory is an example that although information design is one of the most neutral aspects in information graphic design, purely as it is focused on its objectivity, it is still not free from rhetoric. When presenting information, it has to be clear and easily accessible in order for the intended audience to understand it. Being able to manage and sort out information and communicate to the
Module Leader- Martin Devenny
CDI Level 5 C & CS
Module code- 5CTA1011
Critical Analysis The rhetoric of neutrality- Robin Kinross
Discuss the visual rhetoric in graphic design.
Graphic design is a vast industry in visual communication, using information, typography, isotopes, and diagrams as a way to communicate across to its audiences. Through detailed investigations of design and taking on Robin Kinross (1985), claims that the distinction between design for information and design for persuasion “cannot be a clear one” this work will explore the possibilities of visual rhetoric in graphic design.
The term rhetoric is using language for the purpose of persuasion. (Jury, 2004).
Graphic design is seen as neutral as it is all about its function and ‘pure information’, as opposed to advertising, which promotes and persuades. Yet it is a designer’s job to communicate and translate concepts and ideas into visual representations.
These visual representations have a purpose and since these designs have a purpose, it is essentially the rhetorical functions in Graphic design. It could be argued, what is the message that is to be persuaded? But what is the point of having a graphics piece that has no meaning? The message portrayed is hidden by many aspects of rhetoric this does not necessary mean that all persuasion is in the form of brain washing, but a way of reasoning. Whether or not the information had been intended to be neutral, there is always some kind of rhetorical function behind it.
In Robin Kinross the rhetoric of Neutrality, Gui Bosiepe’s theory is an example that although information design is one of the most neutral aspects in information graphic design, purely as it is focused on its objectivity, it is still not free from rhetoric. When presenting information, it has to be clear and easily accessible in order for the intended audience to understand it. Being able to manage and sort out information and communicate to the
Bibliography: Kostlenick, C, Hassett, M (2003). Shaping information the rhetoric of visual conventions. Board of trustees. Southern Illinois University. Courtis, JK.(2004). Accounting Forum. [Online]. Vol28 (Issue3). Available at http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=125&sid=91998f0a-105b-44e4-8b94-6d3b2cfddded%40sessionmgr113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=bth&AN=16315345 Drucker, J .(1994). The Visible word. The university Chicago Press. Kinross, R. (1992). Modern typography. Hyphen press. Lupton, E. (2004). Thinking with Type. Princeton architectural press. New york Spencer, H.(1969). The visible word. Hastings House McCoy, S. (2011). Mule. [Online] available at http://weblog.muledesign.com/2011/01/rhetoric_is_the_new_grid.php