visual literacy

noun

1. the ability to apprehend or interpret pictures or other visual images.

Word History and Origins

Origin of visual literacy¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“I find it powerful,” Vicario says, “because he’s an artist who has been at this for about 40 years who has a visual literacy and ability to illustrate his particular view of the world through this format. It’s very satirical — in a way it reminds me of part Mad magazine and part political cartoons. You get an immediate visceral reaction. It’s completely present and of-the-moment and unlike anything we saw.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I think it’s a lack of visual literacy on the part of, in this case, the military,” said Fred Ritchin, a former professor of photography and imaging at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and dean emeritus of the International Center of Photography.

From New York Times

Educators call this “visual literacy,” and while it refers most directly to the creation and reading of images, it extends more broadly to understanding communication and interaction.

From New York Times

This week’s mini-episode finds Prudence visited by Anna Hetherington, who has a doctorate in Renaissance art history, wants to teach visual literacy to the world, and is pretty obsessed with her dog Wilson, sweetened condensed milk, and her friends.

From Slate

Prudence is joined this week by Anna Hetherington, who has a doctorate in Renaissance art history, wants to teach visual literacy to the world, and is pretty obsessed with her dog Wilson, sweetened condensed milk, and her friends.

From Slate