The notion of ‘inspiration’.

The notion of ‘inspiration’ derives from constant inquiry, based on research, observation, recording and experimentation.

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little thing, long after you have forgotten everything." - Aaron Siskind

Inspiration can come in the form of almost anything, perhaps that’s why a photographer tends to carry a camera 24/7 to ‘capture the moment’ or why the illustrator of the bunch clutches at his sketchbook doodling with content when recording a word, feeling or image which sprung up from thin air. It’s then developing what u have found and experimenting with it to produce a deeper meaning or concept or even for just pure aesthetic appeal. All artists are inspired by something or someone, take illustrator Phil Dunne for example. (Examples of his work below)

                                                                   
                                                        

His work is so fresh and exciting, and yet his inspiration comes from artists such as Andy Warhol and Picasso but more interestingly he is inspired by his observation of music videos! Director Hype Williams videos in particular attract his attention and when comparing elements of his music video ‘Universal Mind Control’ (Pictures below), ‘Video Phone’ by Beyonce and 'Digital Girl' by Jamie Foxx to Phil’s work, the colour, robotic forms and angular shapes almost dominate Dunne’s illustrations and its apparent where the influence lies in his work.

  

• An understanding and knowledge of ‘an audience’ can enhance and focus the communication.

It’s vital to know the audience your targeting within Visual communication as this will allow you to address people on a level which is personal to them and in turn convey a meaning or idea more effectively. Taking children’s story books for example, the images are clear and colourful to keep the child’s attention and to allow them to visualise quickly what they are reading or what is being read to them.

When applying this concept to an older age range where the message or idea is more serious, the maker consciously presents images or text to us which ‘shock’ or scare us. This method is also used when persuading us to do something or take action because adults are harder to persuade or even manipulate. Below are some pictures which apply.

                                                                    

                                                        

                                                     

Target audience is even more important when distinguishing groups of people, perhaps by their ethnicity/race, financial differences or gender. The images below display this.

         

Communicating to these groups of people is easier than targeting the mass media, although it’s important to distinguish what is acceptable and what is offensive as sub cultures of people would find in certain lights the message or idea behind a text to be insulting and therefore feel they are being discriminated against.  

Understanding your audience is possibly the most important factor when communicating with people.