Word and Image: Advertising

The combination of words and images are significant factors within the area of advertising. When we read a novel, the words themselves communicate a story which individuals are able to mentally and visually grasp. In contrast, the images in photographs carry a stronger effect on the communication between the designer and the viewer. However, when both image and text come together within a single art form, the communication is much more powerful, in that the designer is able to better emphasize his or her idea using visual and textual elements of design. For example, in the advertisement for Levis jeans that was released in the summer of 2010, the image of a man walking up a hill in the country side communicates simplicity and affordability. However, the addition of words provides greater emphasis on what the advertisement was attempting to communicate. Thus, in order for designers to successfully communicate a concept, both the image and text must coincide with one another to establish a connection between the designer and the individual who is examining the advertisement.