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Introduction to Visual Communication in the Age of Social Media: Conceptual, Theoretical and Methodological Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Uta Russmann

    (Department of Communication, Marketing & Sales, FHWien der WKW University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication, Austria)

  • Jakob Svensson

    (School of Arts & Communication (K3), Malmö University, Sweden)

Abstract

This thematic issue of Media and Communication focuses attention on the shift towards visual images on social media as well as the transformation of visual communication which has occurred within the online ecology of social media platforms. The sharing of images is becoming an integral part of the social media experience today, and given that social media platforms are the prime locus for sociability—at least among young people in the West—this shift towards visuals arguably transforms how we relate to each other and the world around us, as well as how we perceive and construct our sense of self. For researchers, this raises conceptual, theoretical and methodological challenges. This thematic issue presents six articles as well as a book review on visual communication in social media focusing on developing a conceptual apparatus and precise definitions of objects and practices of study as well as contributions that address and discuss the methodological challenges as well as their potential solutions. The idea was to synergize research from a wide variety of communication-related disciplines on this rather new topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Uta Russmann & Jakob Svensson, 2017. "Introduction to Visual Communication in the Age of Social Media: Conceptual, Theoretical and Methodological Challenges," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 1-5.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v5:y:2017:i:4:p:1-5
    DOI: 10.17645/mac.v5i4.1263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Åsa Thelander & Cecilia Cassinger, 2017. "Brand New Images? Implications of Instagram Photography for Place Branding," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 6-14.
    2. Katie Warfield, 2017. "“I Set the Camera on the Handle of My Dresser”: Re-Matter-Ializing Social Media Visual Methods through a Case Study of Selfies," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 65-74.
    3. Maria Schreiber, 2017. "Showing/Sharing: Analysing Visual Communication from a Praxeological Perspective," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 37-50.
    4. Mona Kasra, 2017. "Digital-Networked Images as Personal Acts of Political Expression: New Categories for Meaning Formation," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 51-64.
    5. Laura Kerslake & Rupert Wegerif, 2017. "The Semiotics of Emoji: The Rise of Visual Language in the Age of the Internet," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 75-78.
    6. Karin Liebhart & Petra Bernhardt, 2017. "Political Storytelling on Instagram: Key Aspects of Alexander Van der Bellen’s Successful 2016 Presidential Election Campaign," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 15-25.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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