How visual Communication leads to positive image?( A2Z of Image Management)

Hi Everyone,

Here I am with my 22nd post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. Visual Communication is the key to manage positive image. As you all know Image Management is all about developing your inner strength and at the same time reflect them on the outside through appearance. While reflecting the inner strength outside one needs to create powerful first impression with stronger visual communication through appearance.

Verbal communication depends on words and sound. Nonverbal communication occurs through sight and touch. It is silent, visual communication, an immediate and important communication skill that plays a major role in everyday interaction. Call it what you like, your visual image, personal appearance or self presentation communicates to one and all within view, as well as to yourself. You cannot NOT communicate! Your clothes make a statement without saying a word. Your clothes speaks before you do.

By its very presence, the visibility of clothing is accessible to others. Purposeful or not, this allows clothing to make statement, to project or reflect message about the wearer and the situation, occasion or activity. There is no such thing as neutral appearance.

For example, in her book, The Language of Clothes, Allison Lurie explains, “Long before I am near enough to talk to you on street, in the meeting, or at a party, you announce your sex, age and class to me through what you are wearing, and very possibly give me important information or (misinformation) as to your occupation, origin, personality, opinion, tastes, sexual desire, and current mood. I may not be able to put what I observe into words, but I register the information unconsciously, and you simultaneously do the same for me. By the time we meet and converse we have already spoken to each other in an older and more universal tongue. “

There is something called as universal elements of visual image. These three distinct elements combine to create personal appearance or the visual image and the message to be perceived :

Clothing including accessories
Grooming including body hygiene, hair, slim, nail care and makeup
Body language, including figure out body type, personal coloring, posture, eye contact, facial expression, gestures, manners and etiquette.

Together ,these elements create a unique and memorable image of you, either as a first impression or an image that comes immediately to the minds of those who know you. Impression formation based on assistance is automatic and instantaneous. We form impression and make assumptions or judgements in seconds.

Semiotics is the science is signs. Clothing functions as a system of signs. Specific characteristics, traits or design details in clothing serve as signs, symbols, cues or clues to make a statement, to communicate a message. The meaning of specific clothing cues depends on the meaning of the total outfit. Any and every detail speaks out, although the meaning of the be unclear and the interpretation may be inaccurate.

For example, some individuals may wear a Geek cross to symbolize religion belief, others however, may wear a necklace with these symbols out of pure aesthetic interest.

Clothing and image cues are not static but ever- changing. The specific statement message or meaning changes according to, the characteristics cues or combination of cues, the people involved, the social context or the historic period in time.

Many people do not even notice non verbal cues, do not understand them and therefore do not value them. This lack of awareness in called Dyssemia. Different people notice different cues depending on their background, and historic position in time. Until you have a need, an interest or need to know, your may miss the cue.

Learn to read or listen to what a person’s nonverbal image cue are saying, then compare with their verbal words. You are looking for harmony, agreement or consistency between the two. Research reveals that when there is a difference between what we say and how we look, people tend to believe the image cues, not the words.

Something called the halo effect occurs when one or a few noticeable cues create a bridge to the assumption of additional cues, positive or negative. The greater the difference in dress and grooming the more contrary the impression formation.

The best you can’t be a fake or phony. You don’t have to create a façade or pretend to be someone you are not. You have got to be yourself and project or reflect the real you. You may simply have to be yourself more consciously , purposefully and continuously that you have been in the past. A successful image is an invitation to become acquainted with the person inside.

This post is part of#BlogchatterA2Z challenge.

To read my previous posts checkout here A ,B ,C ,D ,E, F, G, I, J.K ,L,M,N,O, P, Q, R, S, T , U