1: As discussed in class, please provide three reasons why visuals are important to web content. Please ensure you go into detail for each time(6 Marks)
- Visuals Stick in Long-term Memory:
Visuals are very important parts of web content for several reasons. First, visuals have a strong impact on memory. Where information is presented with relevant images, our brain is able to store this information easily in long-term memory. This is simply the reason that our short-term memory can only be capable of holding a small amount of information, which is generally processed in words, and the tendency to be forgotten is high. On the other hand, visuals are imprinted directly into our long-term memory, where they stay for a long duration. For instance, according to Dr. Lynell Burmark, an idea or concept not attached to an image is easily lost. Supporting this, studies show that people remember 65% of visual information even after 3 days, compared to just 10-20% of written or spoke information.
- They Transmit Messages Faster:
Secondly, visuals are processed by our brains much faster than text. According to the Visual Teaching Alliance, our brains can view images and process up to 36,000 visual messages in an hour in just 13 milliseconds. This is to say that we get the ability to collect information by which we can get an idea of a visual scene in less than 1/10th of a second.
One of the highest importance points of web content is that it gives support to the opportunity of quick and effective message delivery. In particular, for example, when you explain complicated information, an infographic or a chart can get the idea across much faster than a paragraph of text.
- Visual greatly improve comprehension.
Visuals greatly improve comprehension. It helps break down complex information into easier-to-digest pieces and helps one learn up to 400% more effectively. when visuals are used correctly, they can help viewers understand and remember the content easily. For example, if one is given a text to read, graphic organizers help to improve reading comprehension and performance.
- Visual Cues Trigger Emotions
Visual are powerful in the triggering of emotions, this emotional engagement highly affects the information received and remembered by the viewers. For example, the jewelry business tells an anniversary collection on Instagram. if it is just “gift your loved one a ring on special occasions,” then they demonstrate by way of an image of a couple celebrating an anniversary and fitting a ring on their partner’s finger. This is a very heartwarming, touching image that gets personal with people. It does not reflect jewelry but a part of love and commitments for a lifetime, touching the feeling of warmth and love. This is surely a picture that will be remembered by the audience. When people think of this moment, it is not the ring that comes to their mind but the emotions and the story of the ring. Therefore, this approach is stronger than plain text, as it can draw emotions from the audience, which usually leads to the better remembrance of both the brand and the message.