Visual communication is the art of communicating ideas through carefully chosen images combined with precisely scripted text. For over 40,000 years, human beings have been trying to improve its communicative effectiveness—which is why it is fascinating and difficult profession to teach. Positioned at the center of human activity, it has demonstrated the power to shape thought, influence beliefs, encourage social behaviors, inflame emotions, incite action and turn myths into accepted truths. Today, the purpose of visual communication is to communicate ideas, promote action, clarify and organize information, and visually interpret abstract ideas. Under its umbrella are the professions of graphic design, advertising, publication design, package design, information design, exhibit design, web design, motion design and social media design. Practitioners—usually called graphic designers or just designers—are expected to be quintessential renaissance people.

Collaboration with Archives and Special Collections

Bracken Library’s Archives and Special Collections is a rich resource for graphic design education. Professor Christine Satory began actively pursuing integration of primary sources from the department with a student who was passionate about typography. Studying the Archives and Special Collections’ treasure trove of Frederick Goudy’s preliminary type designs, led to a nine-month student collaboration with Archives and Special Collections resulting in a hand-bound book on Frederick Goudy’s life and type design.

This experience with Archives and Special Collections staff led Professor Satory to develop collaborative design exhibitions displayed in Bracken Library. Titled “Archetype: Future Designers Inspired by the Past,” these exhibitions challenged all our visual communication majors to use the Archives and Special Collections material as inspiration for their designs. While these exhibitions were a step closer to the goal, they did not allow for guided critical analysis and reflection that is possible in a class.

Three years ago Professor Satory had the opportunity to develop a studio design course with materials from Archives and Special Collections embedded at the center. Collaborating with Archives and Special Collections staff, Professor Satory wanted students so inspired that they embraced the working methods and personal characteristics modeled by historical designers.

This digital exhibit showcases Ball State University Students work and their influences from Archives and Special Collections.