Message and Meaning (Lecture Notes)

This lecture was based around the many different ways that a Graphic Designer can convey a message to an audience through their work. We also identified ways to correctly get our 'meaning' of the message across.

"The difference between poetry and practical messages is that the latter are successful only when we correctly infer the intention."
                                                      - Michael Rock

As a Graphic Designer, your work is only a success when the intended audience of your work has a reaction to the message you have given them.

Message

• A short communication that is transmitted by words, signals or any other means from one person to another.

Meaning

• This is what the original sender communicates in their message to the receiver, and what the receiver takes from the message. 

Encoding a Message:

This means translating any information into symbols to use in a message to another. A good way to do this is to visualise exactly what the receiver will see, as then it becomes easier to tailor the message to that person. This is the main reason why companies will gather online data from their current or prospective customers. 

Channel:

The way that a message is sent to the receiver is also very important in ensuring the success of the meaning behind it. It is important to remember that while all channels have positive aspects to communicating a message, they are not always effective to everyone you might be hoping to reach.

This lecture was important as it reminded me that there should always be a message to any work that I create, and I should always focus on who the audience are and what would be the best way to reach them.