I began to read through Rob Mills A Practical Guide to Designing the Invisible-Five Simple Steps. Here are a few important touchpoints I got after reading.
A Handy Guide to Designing the Unseen 'Unseen communication' talks about how we can send messages, feelings, and beliefs using more than just words and pictures. There are many methods in design that help us tell our stories better and quicker. Unseen communication is everywhere, often working on a subconscious level, telling more of the story.
“Colour is a fascinating invisible communicator, because each colour has unique connotations. Colours can evoke emotions in people, guide them when used on signs, and hint at specific moods such as romance and fear. The meanings communicated by colours can also vary depending on the culture or context in which they are used. Red for example may connote romance or war, purple wizardry or wealth and white can represent both marriage and mourning”
Reflection
This passage simply explains how colours can speak without words. Each colour has its own meaning. It's interesting how colours can make us feel different things and even suggest feelings like love or fear. The meaning of colours isn't the same everywhere. It can change based on culture or context. For example red could mean love or war, purple might stand for magic or wealth, and white could be for happy occasions like weddings or sad ones like mourning. This shows how important and complex colours are in our lives.
“The real value in Mehrabian’s studies is that it makes us think about how we communicate, and how much is conveyed in ways we don’t always realise or consider. The few examples I’ve outlined are all ways to connect with and communicate to an audience beyond words and imagery. Whether you are a designer, a content strategist or a project manager, understanding invisible communication and its uses can enrich your end product through the power of more effective storytelling. It all comes back to the story”
Reflection
I've learned how important non verbal, unseen communication is. Mehrabian's research shows that there's a lot more to communication than just words and pictures. It's shown me the many ways we can reach an audience and how this can make our message or product better. Above all, it's reminded me that storytelling is key to good communication. Thinking about this, I see the need to include these things in my communication strategy, whether I'm a designer, content strategist, or project manager. This knowledge will definitely improve how I communicate and tell stories in the future.
“A study carried out by the Seoul International Colour Expo 2004 showed that 92.6 percent of participants placed the most importance on the way a product looks when buying things. Another 5.6 percent said how it felt when they touched it was most important. Hearing and smell each drew 0.9 percent.”
