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A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
The images used within the piece are just as important as words. They can be used to support words or in lue of words.
Images can be created by you, by a photographer or by an illustrator. You can use existing images
or have an image created. Images, like words, can grow out of any of the creative seeds germinating
from the brainstorming. Images can be simple, complex, diagramatic, documentry, emotional, big or
insignificant. Even no image--just a broad stroke of colour for example-- can be interpreted as an image in the right
context. But if the image does not re-inforce the message or move the communication along, its not worth the paper
its printed on.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a good measure for evaluating the pictures effectiveness
within a communication. If it replaces the needs to say those thousand words, it does the job for what it was intended
for.If you have many photos on a page however, you may be trying to say many things at once. Imagine 6 photo's
and 6000words on a page (1000 words for each image). Thats clearly too much information for one page.
As you brainstorm, you will find it difficult to decern what part of a concept would be devoloped through words and
what through images. Metaphor, opposites and puns can be created all through images as easily as through words.
These decisions come out of your vision and aproach. Pictures of course come in many forms. We dont need to
review those here; instead, we needs to discuss how you can implement creativity more effectively by intergrating
image into the comunication.
Lets start with a scenario:
You are working with an illustrator or photographer.
Your basic decisionon who you use and why is largely based on style. The visual style that the image maker
use is consitent with the message you are trying to communicate. How then do you work with a person to facilitate
a creative result.
1.Learn and understand the working style of the imagemaker. Some creative proffesionals work best when given
total freedom. Some need a bit of direction to bring them closer to the message. Interview them, listen to how they
talk about thier work, and get a feel for thier stregths and weeknesses.
2.Integrate the imagemaker into the creative process as much as possible. Respect the artist; the image are half of the
piece. Your information will be beneficial to him/her, and thier ideas can be woven into your product,
thereby benefiting you.
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