Visual Literacy
ARIS Programme Number: P5-0452
Duration: 1. 1. 2024–31. 12. 2027
UL member:
University of Ljubljani, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
Programme Leader:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barbara Predan
Members of the Research Team:
Prof. Dr. Matej Blenkuš
Prof. Dr. Petra Černe Oven
Asst. Prof. Dr. Magdalena Germek
Asst. Prof. Dr. Petja Grafenauer
Asst. Špela Guček
Asst. Prof. Kaja Kraner
Anja Lavrič, research associate
Asst. Tamara Lašič Jurković
Asst. Andrija Mihailović
Prof. Jure Miklavc
Assoc. Prof. Mag. Marija Nabernik
Asst. Dr. Eszter Polónyi
Prof. Dr. Rado Riha
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomo Stanič
Prof. Dr. Gregor Torkar
Dr. Jan Völker
Programme Description:
Research Programme on Visual Literacy is focused on three main problem areas: in the first, we will investigate the epistemological aspect and philosophical issues of visuality and the culture of visual literacy; in the second section, we will explore established methodological systems and codes of visual communication in science with an emphasis on evaluating the quality of conveying understandable information; in the third, the emphasis will be on researching visual literacy with the aim of developing critical and abstract thinking.
The theoretical foundation of the research, will address questions of cognition, representation, appearance, and interpretation of visuality. The development of visual literacy stems from a long history of rationalizing visual perception and communication in science and art, enabling the reconstruction of the archaeological foundation of knowledge and the aesthetic apriori of a certain period. In contrast, new epistemological approaches have emerged since the second half of the 20th century, questioning the rationalistic premise of historical analysis and highlighting the importance of unconscious knowledge, the unreliability of direct understanding of statements, and the role of discursive practices in the dissemination of social power. Through a philosophical perspective, we will investigate how visual literacy affects our understanding of the world, while also examining the conditions of the democratisation of visual communication.
In the second section, the research will focus on how the development of disciplines has influenced the advancement of visualizing scientific content. By exploring traditional categories of visualization, we will examine changes in the fundamental concepts of visual literacy and build on challenging existing assumptions and creating new methods and systems. The goal of this research section will also be to elaborate on the answer to the question of whether purpose-built artificial intelligence tools can replace visual communication experts, in which cases these tools are effective, and in which cases collaboration with experts is still necessary. Additionally, we will explore the type of education in visual literacy that scientists would need for the successful dissemination of research achievements.
The third framework of research will be based on John Debes’ assumption, who defined visual literacy as a set of competencies that enable a visually literate person to distinguish and explain visual actions, objects, and/or symbols. Since creative use of these competencies is essential for communicating with others, the research in this section will focus on the state of visual literacy in society and finding ways to improve it. At this point, all the fundamental findings from the first two sections will be brought together, meaningfully interconnected, and culminate in recommendations, guidelines, and educational materials with newly developed methods and tools for visual literacy.
Significance for the Development of Science
The programme is designed to illuminate fundamental challenges from various perspectives, both within the realms of art and design and at the intersection with science and in relation to other contemporary social science and humanities disciplines, with which it will engage in dialogue within the framework of this programme. The programme will contribute to critical and analytical reflection on the current role of visual literacy while developing clearer foundational concepts, appropriate analytical tools, and methodological approaches. It will strengthen general visual literacy by establishing guidelines and recommendations for visual literacy education within national curricula, as well as advancing theoretical research and its relevance to numerous scientific and artistic fields. The proposed content of the research programme will also provide an important foundation for fostering the career development of doctoral students by cultivating visual literacy skills for future scientists.
Significance for the Socioeconomic and Cultural Development of Slovenia
The research programme directly responds to complex social challenges, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. It recognises a significant deficiency in visual literacy in relation to reading and digital literacy among the general public and professionals. The socio-economic importance of the programme addresses the challenge of citizens needing to participate responsibly in scientific discussions and decision-making, with visual literacy playing a crucial role. Therefore, the programme will focus on actively and expediently incorporating social science, humanities, and artistic perspectives and bridging the gap between science and art. The goal is to emphasise the role and actual integration of visual literacy in communicating scientific knowledge and its incorporation at all levels of education, particularly due to increased media consumption by young people. To ensure the transferability and utilisation of research outcomes, recommendations, guidelines, educational materials (with newly developed methods and tools), and scientific contributions will be published in open access.
Research Group Results:
Original scientific articles, scholarly monographs and published conference contributions
Černe Oven, Petra; Predan, Barbara (eds.) (2024). Visual Literacy: Theoretical Research, Understanding, Creation and Interpretation of Contemporaneity
[Vizualna pismenost: Teoretsko raziskovanje, razumevanje, ustvarjanje in interpretacija sodobnosti] University of Ljubljana and ALUO, Ljubljana. DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868, https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/zaloznistvo/vizualna-pismenost/.
Tepina, Daša; Grafenauer, Petja. The Hegemony of Capitalism and the Visual Code in Non-Aligned Slovenia [Hegemonija kapitalizma in vizualni kod v neuvrščeni Sloveniji], in: Černe Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868.
Černe Oven, Petra. Visualising Poetry through Constructive Dialogue between Editor and Designer: The Case of Integrali ’26 [Vizualizacija poezije skozi konstruktivni dialog urednika in oblikovalca na podlagi analize primera Integrali ‘26], in: Černe Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868.
Stanič, Tomo. Artistic Language [Umetniški jezik], in: Černe Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868.
Predan, Barbara. Between Emptiness and Substance of Critical Analysis in Design
[Med praznino in substanco kritične analize v oblikovanju], in: Černe Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868.
Germek, Magdalena; Pranjić, Kristina. The Perception of Surrealism and the Potential of its Visual Eco-Epistemology [Percepcija nadrealizma in potencial njegove vizualne ekoepistemologije], in: Černe Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938/9789612972868.
Lašič Jurković, Tamara (ed.) (2024). Echoes of Tomorrow [Odmevi jutrišnjega dne]
University of Ljubljana Press. DOI: 10.51938/9789612973124,
https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/zaloznistvo/echoes-of-tomorrow-odmevi-jutrisnjega-dne/.
Stanič, Tomo (2024). Reproduction and the Masterpiece [Reprodukcija in Mojstrovina], Problemi: Journal for Culture and Social Issues, Vol. 62, No. 3/4.
Stanič, Tomo (2024). The Reality Effect: Notes on Photography I [Učinek resničnosti: zapisi o fotografiji I], Problemi, Vol. 62, No. 7/8.
Stanič, Tomo (2024). The Passions of Appearance: Notes on Photography II
[Strasti videza: zapisi o fotografiji II], Problemi, Vol. 62, No. 9/10.
Berlot Pompe, Uršula et al. (2024). Visuality in the Age of Posthumanism: Environmental Ethics, Ecofeminism, Cybernetics and Digital Humanities in Art and Design [Vizualnost v času posthumanizma: Okoljska etika, ekofeminizem, kibernetika in digitalna humanistika v umetnosti in oblikovanju], University of Ljubljana Press. DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633, https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/zaloznistvo/vizualnost-v-casu-posthumanizma-okoljska-etika-ekofeminizem-kibernetika-in-digitalna-humanistika-v-umetnosti-in-oblikovanju/
Selected chapters:
- Kraner, Kaja – Technological Materialism in Contemporary Fine Art: Some Starting Points, [»Tehnološki materializem« v sodobni likovni umetnosti: nekaj izhodišč] DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633.
- Predan, Barbara – Time for Time and its (Non-)Functioning [Čas za čas in njegovo (ne)delovanje] DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633.
- Černe Oven, Petra – Visual Aspects of Literacy in the Analogue Context: A Review of Selected Historical Materials [Vizualni vidiki opismenjevanja v analognem kontekstu…] DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633.
- Stanič, Tomo – Sign and Signifier [Znak in označevalec] DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633.
- Grafenauer, Petja – Geometrism and Technology in the Painting of Josip Gorinšek (1936–2021) [Geometrizem in tehnologija v slikarstvu Josipa Gorinška (2021–1936)] DOI: 10.51938/9789612974633.
Černe Oven, Petra (2024). “What to do? How design can contribute to a more sustainable society: shifting from fear and powerlessness to positive change”
Keynote lecture, Integrated Design Research Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka,
https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/objava/oblikovanje-in-kultura-prepletanje-navdih-in-vpliv/.
Germek, Magdalena (2025). The Mutual Contribution of Visual Epistemology, Visual Literacy and Eco Fashion Design, Fashion Highlight, pp. 140–146. DOI: 10.36253/fh-3176.
Predan, Barbara; Šubic, Špela (2025): Lap, Janja: Distancing Oneself from a Servile Identity, Journal of Design History, pp. 1–17. DOI: 10.1093/jdh/epaf011.
Černe Oven, Petra (2024) ed. Illustrating the Invisible: Towards an Inclusive Society for Blind and Partially Sighted, University of Ljubljana Press, https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/zaloznistvo/illustrating-the-invisible-towards-an-inclusive-society-for-blind-and-partially-sighted/.
Černe Oven, Petra (2025). Inclusive Design and the Importance of Visual Literacy for Designers Working with the Blind or Partially Sighted, in: Petra Černe Oven (ur.), Illustrating the invisible: towards an inclusive society for blind and partially sighted, Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana Press, 2025. DOI: 10.51938/9789612975920
Nabernik, Marija (2025). Scientific Illustration as a Pedagogical Tool in Interdisciplinary Projects, in: Petra Černe Oven (ur.), Illustrating the invisible: towards an inclusive society for blind and partially sighted, Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana Press, 2025. DOI: 10.51938/9789612975920
Černe Oven, Petra, Marija Nabernik. Scientific Illustration for Blind and Visually Impaired – for a More Sustainable Society and What Design Can Do About It: A Case Study, The Nineteenth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, 25.–27. 2. 2025, LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore, Singapore.
Prezelj, Tim. Presentation of workshops within the Kaverljag Summer School, where participants explore relief printmaking and tactile design, Design Meetup Conference: Wrażliwcy (The Sensitive Ones) – On Design that Connects; 23. 10. 2025, Gallery Podbrzezie, Krakov, Poljska.
Sedmak, Aleš. Međunarodna ljetnja škola Kaverljag – umjetničko-ekološki i obrazovni projekat, Ki – korak naprej, Kreativno središče Kotor, 31. 10.–2. 11. 2025, international conference, Kotor, Črna gora.
Socio-economic Impact: Knowledge Transfer
Blenkuš, Matej (2024). Public Space Objects [Objekti javnega prostora], exhibition and discussion, UL FA, 7. 3. 2024, Ljubljana.
Nabernik, Marija et al. (2024). Illustration as a Visual Language [Ilustracija kot vizualni jezik], rounf table discussion, Pokrajinski muzej Maribor (Loža mariborskega gradu), Maribor, 23. 5. 2024
Černe Oven, Petra (2024). Visual Literacy for Educators – Improving the Learning Experience [Vizualna pismenost za pedagoge], workshop, Center za slovenščino kot drugi in tuji jezik, Ljubljana, 24. 5. 2024.
Petra Černe Oven, Marija Nabernik, Aleš Sedmak, Marine Organisms for the Blind and Partially Sighted, Kaverljag summer school, Dutovlje, 21.–28. 7. 2024.
Družbena trajnost: morski organizmi za slepe in slabovidne, Marketing magazin, MM Hitrice, 28. 7. 2024, https://www.marketingmagazin.si/aktualno/mm-hitrice-196, 29. 7. 2024.
Tadeja Lukanc, [Z znanstveno ilustracijo do slepih], Dnevnik, 30 July 2024, https://www.dnevnik.si/2683356/kultura/vizualna-umetnost/z-znanstveno-ilustracijo-do-slepih/.
Petra Mezinec, [Organizme iz našega morja skušajo približati slepim in slabovidnim], Primorske novice, p. 21, 2 August 2024, https://primorske.svet24.si/plus/7-val/organizme-iz-nasega-morja-skusajo-priblizati-slepi/ (20 August 2024).
[Mednarodna poletna šola Kaverljag: Morski organizmi za slepe in slabovidne], KULturnica, August 2024, Vol. III, No. 8, https://www.uni-lj.si/univerza/umetnost/kulturnica/avgust-2024 (26 August 2024).
STA, [Dela s poletne likovne šole Kaverljag razstavljena prilagojeno osebam z motnjami vida], 10 September 2024, https://www.sta.si/3340595/dela-s-poletne-likovne-sole-kaverljag-razstavljena-prilagojeno-osebam-z-motnjami-vida.
[Odprtje razstave »Kaj gledam, kaj vidim: Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida«], Kultura, RTV SLO, 10 September 2024, https://365.rtvslo.si/arhiv/kultura/175071342.
M. K., [Kaj gledam, kaj vidim: Življenje pod morsko gladino za osebe z motnjami vida],Vizualna umetnost, RTV SLO, 10 September 2024, https://www.rtvslo.si/kultura/vizualna-umetnost/kaj-gledam-kaj-vidim-zivljenje-pod-morsko-gladino-za-osebe-z-motnjami-vida/720619and https://www.rtvslo.si/dostopno/clanki/kaj-gledam-kaj-vidim-zivljenje-pod-morsko-gladino-za-osebe-z-motnjami-vida/720655.
Petra Černe Oven, Marija Nabernik, [Kaj gledam in kaj vidim: Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida], exhibition, Gallery of the Illustration Centre, Ljubljana, 10 September–6 October 2024
[Kaj gledam, kaj vidim], Slovenske novice (STA), 11 September 2024.
[Dela s šole Kaverljag razstavljena in prilagojena osebam z motnjami vida], Primorske novice, p. 9, 11 September 2024.
Melita Kontrec, [Kaj gledam, kaj vidim: Življenje pod morsko gladino za osebe z motnjami vida], MMC RTV SLO, 11 September 2024, https://www.rtvslo.si/kultura/vizualna-umetnost/kaj-gledam-kaj-vidim-zivljenje-pod-morsko-gladino-za-osebe-z-motnjami-vida/720619.
[V Izoli odprtje razstave za osebe z motnjami vida], RTV SLO, 9 October 2024, https://www.rtvslo.si/kultura/napovedujemo/v-izoli-odprtje-razstave-za-osebe-z-motnjami-vida/723754 (20 February 2026).
mar/av, [V Izoli odprtje razstave za osebe z motnjami vida], STA, 9 October 2024.
[Morski organizmi skozi oči in roke slepih in slabovidnih], ObalaPlus, 9 October 2024, https://obalaplus.si/morski-organizmi-skozi-oci-in-roke-slepih-in-slabovidnih/.
Petra Černe Oven, Marija Nabernik, [Kaj gledam in kaj vidim: Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida], exhibition, Gallery Insula, Izola, 10 October–6 November 2024.
Neva Zajc, [Razstava], Aktualno, 14 October 2024, 13:37, radio broadcast, Radio Koper.
BIO28: [Projekt Denton/The Denton Project], student research project and exhibition, Alexandra Midal, Emma Pflieger, Barbara Predan (mentors), Small Gallery of the Bank of Slovenia, Ljubljana, 20 November 2024–4 January 2025. https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/objava/bio-28-projekt-denton/.
[Projekt Denton/The Denton Project], catalogue, UL ALUO, Ljubljana 2024, https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/zaloznistvo/projekt-denton-the-denton-project/.
Institutional and school visits and guided tours of the exhibition.
[Festival hrane za možgane], exhibition, Congress Square, Ljubljana, 12–15 May 2025.
[Na robu teme je svetloba], 6 October 2025, participation of educators in the podcast of the Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Nova Gorica: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VE2R1X2q7y0oPkVEPNJlN.
Pop-up exhibition of tactile illustrations as part of the ceremonial opening programme of the Centre for People with Visual Impairments in Nova Gorica, 15 October 2025, in collaboration with the Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Nova Gorica (MDSS NG).
Presentation of the book Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vključujočo družbo / Illustrating the Invisible: Towards an Inclusive Society for Blind and Partially Sighted, 16 October 2025 at 18:00, Praetorian Palace, Koper. Participants: Dr Mateja Maljevac, Prof. Dr Petra Černe Oven and Aleš Sedmak, academic painter. Moderated by Dr Aksinja Kermauner. In collaboration with the Kaverljag Association and the Institute for Youth, Culture and Tourism Koper.
Exhibition [Kaj gledam in kaj vidim – Morski organizmi za osebe z motnjami vida], 17 October–31 December 2025, Tactile Gallery, Mercator Centre Nova Gorica; as part of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025 programme, in collaboration with the Goriška Museum and the Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Nova Gorica (MDSS NG).
Neva Zajc, [Znanstvena monografija], Radio Koper, Afternoon Programme, radio broadcast, 20 October 2025.
Lea Širok, Pol ure kulture, [Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vključujočo družbo in Projekt Kaverljag: ilustracija za slepe in slabovidne], Radio Koper, 23 October 2025, podcast: https://radiokoper.rtvslo.si/podkast/pol-ure-kulture/173251929/175168188; featuring Petra Černe Oven and Aleš Sedmak.
Exhibition [Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vključujočo družbo. Morski organizmi za ljudi z okvaro vida], within the exhibition “Novembra smo II.”, 12–30 November 2025, UL Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana. More: https://www.aluo.uni-lj.si/objava/novembra-smo-drugic/.
Ana Turičnik, Leon Rojk Štupar, Gaj Kušar – participation in expert guided tours of the exhibition “Novembra smo II.”, UL Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana, 19 November 2025.
[Ko znanost postane otipljiva] – presentation of the scientific monograph Ilustriranje nevidnega: oblikovanje za vključujočo družbo, with a moderated discussion featuring the authors of the texts, inclusion of blind and partially sighted participants, typhlopedagogues and illustrators, as well as an active demonstration and testing of tactile scientific illustrations in 3D print. As part of the Slovenian Book Fair, Writers’ Stage, Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, Ljubljana, 25 November 2025.
Sonja Pungertnik, [Luč v temi], 14 December 2025, radio broadcast, Radio Ognjišče, https://avdio.ognjisce.si/oddaja/ura_2025_12_14_21. @13’40”. Featuring Petra Černe Oven and Aleš Sedmak.
Nedeljska reportaža, Petra Medved, [Taktilna znanstvena ilustracija za slepe in slabovidne], radio broadcast, Radio Slovenija, 11 January 2026, https://prvi.rtvslo.si/podkast/nedeljska-reportaza/96/175188980.
Marija Gombač, [Umetnost onkraj vidnega], Primorske novice, 17 January 2026, article: https://primorske.svet24.si/kultura/knjizna-polica/umetnost-onkraj-vidnega/.
[Na robu teme je svetloba], 9 February 2026, discussion with students involved in the project Ilustriranje nevidnega, podcast of the Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Nova Gorica, https://open.spotify.com/episode/1i5N2RBlQ4MQrpXvGIdYe2.
Petra Černe Oven, [Dr. Petra Černe Oven – rada povezuje ljudi ter širi svojo vizijo in znanje], interview, Razkošje v glavi, Radio Slovenija, First Programme, 14 February 2026, https://prvi.rtvslo.si/podkast/razkosje-v-glavi/1339670/175198296.
ED.VITA Award, national recognition for sustainable initiatives and practices in higher education (NAKVIS, MVZI and MOPE): main prize in the category Research and Innovation, 18 March 2026.
IIID Award, International Institute for Information Design, Vienna, Austria; PERFORMANCE Award in the category Social Affairs, 29 May 2026.
