The Effect of Visual Culture Theory Based Graphic Design Education on Students’ Visual Perception

Abstract

The aim of this study was to enable graphic design students to improve their visual literacy through visual culture, and to read and critically evaluate images. It also seeks to answer the following question: Were students able to learn about visual culture theory in the course of the study? The design of the study is experimental. The participants of the study were 16 third-year students drawn from Gazi University’s Faculties of Education, Fine Arts Education, Art Education, and Graphic Arts during the second semester of the 2014-2015 academic year. Research participants were selected through a purposive sampling method followed by a convenience sampling method. Since the study was conducted without a control group, a quasi-experimental model composed of a single group was used. The students’ ability to create a poster was considered when selecting the group of participants for the experiment. Data for the study was collected by means of an achievement test. A t-test was used in the analysis of this achievement test to determine whether there was any significant difference between pre- and post-test results. The study concludes that there was a change in the students’ visual perception and their development of points of view.