{"id":20126,"date":"2024-04-03T13:22:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T11:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/?post_type=raziskovanja&p=20126"},"modified":"2026-04-24T19:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:18:35","slug":"visual-literacy","status":"publish","type":"raziskovanja","link":"https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/en\/raziskovanja\/visual-literacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Visual Literacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

ARIS Programme Number: P5-0452<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Duration:<\/strong>\u00a01. 1. 2024\u201331. 12. 2027<\/p>\n

UL member:<\/strong>
\nUniversity of Ljubljani, Academy of Fine Arts and Design<\/p>\n

Programme Leader:<\/strong>
\nAssoc. Prof. Dr. Barbara Predan<\/a><\/p>\n

Members of the Research Team:<\/strong>
\nProf. Dr. Matej Blenku\u0161<\/a>
\nProf. Dr. Petra \u010cerne Oven<\/a>
\nAsst. Prof. Dr. Magdalena Germek<\/a>
\nAsst. Prof. Dr. Petja Grafenauer<\/a>
\nAsst. \u0160pela Gu\u010dek<\/a>
\nAsst. Prof. Kaja Kraner<\/a>
\nAnja Lavri\u010d<\/a>, research associate
\nAsst. Tamara La\u0161i\u010d Jurkovi\u0107<\/a>
\nAsst. Andrija Mihailovi\u0107<\/a>
\nProf. Jure Miklavc<\/a>
\nAssoc. Prof. Mag. Marija Nabernik<\/a>
\nAsst. Dr. Eszter Pol\u00f3nyi<\/a>
\nProf. Dr. Rado Riha<\/a>
\nAssoc. Prof. Dr. Tomo Stani\u010d<\/a>
\nProf. Dr. Gregor Torkar<\/a>
\nDr. Jan V\u00f6lker<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Programme Description:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Significance for the Development of Science<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Significance for the Socioeconomic and Cultural Development of Slovenia<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Research Group Results:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Original scientific articles, scholarly monographs and published conference contributions<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u010cerne Oven, Petra; Predan, Barbara (eds.) (2024).<\/strong> Visual Literacy: Theoretical Research, Understanding, Creation and Interpretation of Contemporaneity<\/em>
\n[Vizualna pismenost: Teoretsko raziskovanje, razumevanje, ustvarjanje in interpretacija sodobnosti<\/em>] University of Ljubljana and ALUO, Ljubljana. DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868, https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/zaloznistvo\/vizualna-pismenost\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tepina, Da\u0161a; Grafenauer, Petja.<\/strong> The Hegemony of Capitalism and the Visual Code in Non-Aligned Slovenia<\/em> [Hegemonija kapitalizma in vizualni kod v neuvr\u0161\u010deni Sloveniji<\/em>], in: \u010cerne Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u010cerne Oven, Petra.<\/strong> Visualising Poetry through Constructive Dialogue between Editor and Designer: The Case of Integrali \u201926<\/em> [Vizualizacija poezije skozi konstruktivni dialog urednika in oblikovalca na podlagi analize primera Integrali \u201826<\/em>], in: \u010cerne Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stani\u010d, Tomo.<\/strong> Artistic Language<\/em> [Umetni\u0161ki jezik<\/em>], in: \u010cerne Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Predan, Barbara.<\/strong> Between Emptiness and Substance of Critical Analysis in Design<\/em>
\n[Med praznino in substanco kriti\u010dne analize v oblikovanju<\/em>], in: \u010cerne Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Germek, Magdalena; Pranji\u0107, Kristina.<\/strong> The Perception of Surrealism and the Potential of its Visual Eco-Epistemology<\/em> [Percepcija nadrealizma in potencial njegove vizualne ekoepistemologije<\/em>], in: \u010cerne Oven & Predan (eds.), 2024, DOI: 10.51938\/9789612972868<\/a>.<\/p>\n

La\u0161i\u010d Jurkovi\u0107, Tamara (ed.) (2024).<\/strong> Echoes of Tomorrow<\/em> [Odmevi jutri\u0161njega dne<\/em>]
\nUniversity of Ljubljana Press. DOI: 10.51938\/9789612973124,
\nhttps:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/zaloznistvo\/echoes-of-tomorrow-odmevi-jutrisnjega-dne\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stani\u010d, Tomo (2024).<\/strong> Reproduction and the Masterpiece [Reprodukcija in Mojstrovina],\u00a0Problemi: Journal for Culture and Social Issues<\/em>, Vol. 62, No. 3\/4.<\/p>\n

Stani\u010d, Tomo (2024).<\/strong> The Reality Effect: Notes on Photography I [U\u010dinek resni\u010dnosti: zapisi o fotografiji I],\u00a0Problemi<\/em>, Vol. 62, No. 7\/8.<\/p>\n

Stani\u010d, Tomo (2024).<\/strong> The Passions of Appearance: Notes on Photography II
\n[Strasti videza: zapisi o fotografiji II],\u00a0Problemi<\/em>, Vol. 62, No. 9\/10.<\/p>\n

Berlot Pompe, Ur\u0161ula et al. (2024).<\/strong> Visuality in the Age of Posthumanism: Environmental Ethics, Ecofeminism, Cybernetics and Digital Humanities in Art and Design<\/em> [Vizualnost v \u010dasu posthumanizma: Okoljska etika, ekofeminizem, kibernetika in digitalna humanistika v umetnosti in oblikovanju<\/em>], University of Ljubljana Press. DOI: 10.51938\/9789612974633,\u00a0https:\/\/www.aluo.uni-lj.si\/zaloznistvo\/vizualnost-v-casu-posthumanizma-okoljska-etika-ekofeminizem-kibernetika-in-digitalna-humanistika-v-umetnosti-in-oblikovanju\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Selected chapters:<\/p>\n