An investigation designed to increase the understanding and utilization of visual expression is undertaken. The book examines the basic visual elements, the strategies and options of the visual techniques, the psychological and physiological implications of creative composition, and the range of media and formats included among the arts and crafts. A variety of methods of composition and design are suggested to expand the means of human interaction. Toward this end, the author seeks to construct a basic system for learning, recognizing, making, and understanding visual messages that are negotiable by all people, not those just specially trained. The nine chapters deal, respectively, with: 1) the character and content of visual literacy; 2) syntactical guidelines for visual literacy; 3) the basic elements of visual communication; 4) the anatomy of a visual message; 5) the dynamics of contrast; 6) visual techniques; 7) the synthesis of visual style; 8) the function and message of the visual arts; and 9) visual literacy: how and why. (Author/PB)