Media and Information Literacy

Text and Visual Dimensions of

Information and Media
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY

Describe the different dimensions of:

• text information and media
• visual information and media
OBJECTIVES

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain the principles in designing text and visual elements
2. Evaluate the impact of text and visual content and forms
3. Design a personal brand or logo using appropriate text and visuals
4. Spread positive and affirming information through visual media.
What’s New
This lesson is the beginning of a series that would
lead you to creating an appropriate multi-media content.
For this part, we will focus on visuals, which is a broad
aspect in media. Remember that conveying valid and
effective content entails the use of the most suitable
visual forms. These two must work side by side to
provide the correct informative experience to your
audience.
Here are four samples of business cards. Identify what is wrong with the design of each
card and suggest ways to improve them.
 Text may be defined as a simple and flexible format of presenting
information or conveying ideas whether hand-written, printed or displayed
on-screen. It is very powerful in disseminating information, providing
direction and giving suggestions. Text is available in different sources,
which may be categorized into two:
1. Formal Example of these are news articles, published books,
newspapers, magazines, advertisements, research works, etc. Formal text-
based materials are created and distributed by established institutions
(such as publishing companies, news agencies, etc.) and go through a
rigorous process of editing or evaluation and are usually governed by
censorship of the state.
2. Informal Examples of these are blogs, personal e-mails, SMS or text
messages, online messengers, social media platforms, etc. They come from
personal opinions or views on different issues, processes, etc.
Text as Visual
• Typeface font, font type, or type) is the representation or style of a
text. A typeface is usually composed of alphabets, numbers,
punctuation marks, symbols and other special characters.
• Fonts in digital format are installed in forms such as True Type Font
(.ttf), Open Type Font (.otf), etc. Fonts convey different emotions and
meaning, and you must be very careful in choosing the right font for
your content. The table below presents the different types of fonts,
their implications, uses, and examples.
Design Principles and Elements

The principles in designing text elements are emphasis, appropriateness,

proximity, alignment, organization, repetition and contrast. Observe how these elements
are presented in each text frame.
Visual information and media are materials, programs, applications and the like that
teachers and students use to formulate new information to aid learning through the use,
analysis, evaluation and production of visual images. The following are types of visual
media:

Photography

Mt. Makiling, shot using phone camera

Video

Kinamulatan
Screenshot
Infographic
comic strips / cartoons
Meme
Graphs / Charts
Visual note taking
The primary purpose of visual information is to gain attention, create meaning,
and facilitate retention, but how can you create a striking visual? First, you must
consider the visual elements, or the basic units in the construction of a visual
image. The Design Elements are:

1. Line - This describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and

can be thick or thin. Lines may be actual, implied, vertical,
horizontal, diagonal, or contour.

Take note that lines provide meaning also. Horizontal lines are more static and calm; vertical lines
command attention and stability; diagonal lines may convey movement; and contoured lines may
evoke turbulence, playfulness, and the likes.
2. Shape - A geometric area that stands out from the space next
to or around it, or because of differences in value, color, or texture.
Shape may also be organic.

Three implied geometric shapes can be found in the picture above: diamond, octagon
and triangle.
Organic shapes, like the eggplant pictured above, are irregular and asymmetrical in
appearance and tends to have curves, as in the case of shapes found in nature.
3. Value - The degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and
white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and
white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.
4. Texture - The way a surface feels or is perceived to feel. Texture can be added to attract or repel
interest to a visual element. Two contrasting visual textures are presented in this picture taken in

Bolinao, Pangasinan: the smoothness of the sea and the roughness of the contorted branches.
5. Color - Determined by its hue (name of color), intensity (purity of the hue), and value (lightness or darkness of hue).
Color and color combination can play a large role in the design. Color may be used for emphasis, or may elicit emotions
from viewers. Color may be warm, cool, or neutral. It plays a major role in our visual perception, as it influences our
reactions about the world around us. It is therefore important to create color palettes that evoke the appropriate audience

reactions.
6. Form - A figure having volume and thickness. An illusion of a 3-dimensional object can
be implied with the use of light and shading.
Principles in Visual Design

1. Consistency of margins, typeface, typestyle, and colors is necessary, especially in

slide presentations or documents that are more than one page.
2. Center of interest – an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is
more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This
can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.
3. Balance – a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be
symmetrical and evenly balanced, or asymmetrical and unevenly balanced. Objects,
values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc. can be used in creating balance in a
composition.
4. Harmony – brings together a composition with similar units. If for example your
composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes, you would stay with those types of
lines and not put in just one geometric shape. (Notice how similar Harmony is to Unity -
some sources list both terms).
5. Contrast – offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition.
Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring
objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.
6. Directional Movement – a visual flow through the composition. It can be the
suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement
and position. Directional movement can be created with a value pattern.
7. Rhythm – a movement in which some elements recur regularly. Like a dance, it will
have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.
8. Perspective – created through the arrangement of objects in two-dimensional space
to look like they appear in real life. Perspective is a learned meaning of the relationship
between different objects seen in space.
Types of Shots
• Extreme Wide Shot / Extreme Long Shot
This reveals to the viewer the world where the story takes place. Through this shot, the
audience must have a feel of the time and place of the story – whether it is morning or
evening, hot or cold, wet or dry, and so on.
• Wide Shot / Long Shot
This shot establishes the character and how he/she is related to the scene. The
characters can be seen from head to toe. Because of its wide coverage, the wide shot
can also be used as an establishing shot. This can also be used as a master shot, which
introduces a new location or scene.
• Full Shot
Like the wide shot, the full shot also shows the character from head to toe, but this time
around, the character is already the focus. Through this, you can clearly see what the
character looks like as a whole or what he/she is doing.
• Medium Shot
The character is seen waste up. This is often used in dialogue scenes, because it is wide
enough to show two or more characters but close enough to show details.
• Medium Close-up
This shot rests between the medium shot and the close-up, with the subject framed from
shoulders up. Through this shot, more body language can complement the facial
expressions to show emotions.
• Close-up
This frames the character’s face and provides emotional clues that cannot be effectively
shown with the medium shot. Other things may be shown up close – shaking hands,
tapping feet, etc,
• Extreme Close-up
This is a tighter frame that highlights the facial features or any subject more. It can be
highly detailed, much more intimate, emotionally heightened, and even uncomfortable to
view.
Camera Angles and Points of View

• Bird’s-eye view
Bird’s-eye view is the name given to the type of shot taken from an elevated point. As its
own name indicates, it offers a perspective similar to that which birds see while flying.
• High angle
A high angle shot is taken pointing the camera down on the subject. As a result, the
subject is seen as vulnerable and powerless.
• Eye level
The eye level shot is considered the most natural camera angle. Capturing the shot at
eye-level offers a neutral perception of the subject. Because it is the way in which we
usually see people, this camera angle can help the audience connect with the subject.
• Low angle
A low angle shot is taken from below the subject’s eye line, pointing upwards. This
camera angle makes a subject look powerful and imposing.
• Worm’s-eye view
The worm’s-eye view camera angle looks at an object or subject from below. It is
commonly used to capture tall elements in the scene, such as trees or skyscrapers, and
put them in perspective. This type of camera shot is mostly taken from a subject’s point
of view.
• Over the Shoulder Shot
Also called OTS or third person shot, this is created by placing the camera at the back of
one character while facing the other character. This is used to highlight the relationship
of characters in a dialogue.
• Dutch Angle
Also called Dutch tilt, canted angle, or oblique angle, this shot is noticeably tilted or
tipped. This is used to signal to the viewer that something is wrong, disorienting, or
unsettling (Lannom, 2020)
Assessment
I believe you are very much aware of the posts in social media
regarding the way learning is taking place in the new normal –
from rants about online classes, exaggerated teaching and
learning styles, erroneous textbooks, etc. Consequently, netizens
have feasted so much on this, and sad to say, some have brought
more negativity to the challenging situation we are having right
now.
This is the reason why for this next activity, you will do a “Positivity
Challenge” and flood the internet with encouraging posts for
students and teachers alike. Here are the mechanics.
1. Create a simple poster with the right visual and text components.
2. To ensure originality, include visuals related to your school, barangay, and/or Calamba City.
3. Make sure also that you or your classmates (or even teachers) are part of the poster. A decent selfie,
screenshot of your class, and the likes, may be used. Avoid outrageous pictures or you might become
an instant funny meme.
4. Incorporate an encouraging message in your post. We do not aim to criticize this time. Instead, we
aim to spread positive vibes about learning despite the difficult times we are experiencing. You may use
either English or Filipino, and make sure you follow the rules of grammar and writing.
5. Post it on social media (FaceBook or Instagram), and make sure you share it also to your local group
pages.
6. Try to work on having as many Likes and Shares of your poster. Let me clear this first: you will not
be graded based on the number of likes. This is not a contest also, and I have nothing to offer but
sticker “hugs” and “congratulations.” Remember that our aim is to spread good vibes through social
media.
7. However, do take note that this serves as one of your performance tasks, and you will be graded
based on how you utilized the principles of text and visual media in your work.
8. For students who do not have the means to do digital arts and connect to the internet, you may just
create a poster using your art materials of your choice and submit it accordingly through the way
devised by your school.
Here is an example. I posted this when Brgy. Canlubang reported its first COVID-19 case
back in April 2020 as a simple reminder that we can overcome all challenges.
 Quiz #4
Multiple Choice. Write the letter corresponding to the correct answer.

1. the meaning of “.ttf”

a. tapered type font b. text type font c. true type font

2. typeface that carries a solid or heavy look to text

a. sans serif b. serif c. slab serif

3. the basic rule in emphasizing a subject in a composition

a. golden ratio b. rule of odds c. rule of thirds
4. a visual design principle that brings together a composition with similar units
a. balance b. contrast c. harmony

5. the visual flow of a composition

a. directional movement b. perspective c. rhythmic pattern

6. a shot where the subject is framed from shoulders up

a. close up b. extreme close up c. medium close up

7. a shot perfect to show the world where the story takes place
a. extreme wide shot b. full shot c. long shot
8. another term for Dutch angle
a. canted shot b. over the shoulder shot c. worm’s eye view

9. a camera angle that makes a subject look powerful and imposing

a. eye level b. high angle c. low angle

10. a shot taken from an elevated point

a. bird’s eye view b. Dutch angle c. eye level
Quiz #4 Answer
Multiple Choice. Write the letter corresponding to the correct answer.

1. the meaning of “.ttf”

a. tapered type font b. text type font c. true type font

2. typeface that carries a solid or heavy look to text

a. sans serif b. serif c. slab serif

3. the basic rule in emphasizing a subject in a composition

a. golden ratio b. rule of odds c. rule of thirds
4. a visual design principle that brings together a composition with similar units
a. balance b. contrast c. harmony

5. the visual flow of a composition

a. directional movement b. perspective c. rhythmic pattern

6. a shot where the subject is framed from shoulders up

a. close up b. extreme close up c. medium close up

7. a shot perfect to show the world where the story takes place
a. extreme wide shot b. full shot c. long shot
8. another term for Dutch angle
a. canted shot b. over the shoulder shot c. worm’s eye view

9. a camera angle that makes a subject look powerful and imposing

a. eye level b. high angle c. low angle

10. a shot taken from an elevated point

a. bird’s eye view b. Dutch angle c. eye level
END