- Examine the visual media content, details, metadata, textual information, and relationships with other images 
- Determine the subject of visual media
- Identify information gaps and formulate questions


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- Review associated image information
- Explore the contexts of an image
- Examine the various components of the visual media
- Corroborate your analysis


How to Interpret Meaning of Visual Media

"ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education", American Library Association, October 27, 2011. http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/visualliteracy (Accessed July 13, 2021).

ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

Interpreting Meaning of Visual Media: Review Associated Image Information

- Develop an understanding of the visual media creation context (temporal, geographic, economic, political, social, cultural)
- Consider how the creation context affects intent and meaning, and consider how that can change over time.
- Examine the design choices made by the creator of the visual media (composition, elements, framing, etc.)
- Determine the intended audience, and consider how the audience along with the interpretation can change over time.
- Examine the choices made around any social and cultural identifiers


Interpreting Meaning of Visual Media: Explore the Contexts

- Examine the aesthetic and pictorial elements (color, line, style, etc.).
- Determine the methods, materials, techniques, or any technologies that were used
- Work out if the visual media is original work
- Inspect visual media for any form of alteration

Interpreting Meaning of Visual Media: Examine the Components

- Discuss your analysis of the visual media with others
- Consult expert opinion regarding the visual media analysis
- Integrate analytical methods and viewpoints from any relevant fields of study

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