An action research on visual literacy focused visual design studies

There are many new types of literacy have emerged to understand and give the meaning of the new world in which the visual images flow rapidly. Visual literacy has an important place in acquiring necessary critical perspective to understand the sub-messages that are hidden inside the images, targeting consumption habits, political views and beliefs in the new order of the world in that both media and art are rapidly producing and consuming visual images. Visual literacy should take its place as a course in schools in order to provide to the students necessary critical view to understand the fictions of the reality, deceptions and visionary fictions hidden in images. This research is an action research that evaluates how contemporary art approaches can be utilized in order for teacher candidates in the field of visual arts to acquire the visual literacy skills required to create artistic designs that include visual culture inquiries and visual communication skills and reflect their critical perspectives. Designs of students include reviews on cultural references and social problems. Critical theory, art criticism methods, constructivist approach, interdisciplinary and collaborative learning are utilized on organizing the action plan. The students have referred to popular culture and the consumption culture that comes with popular culture, and have made aesthetic inquiries to contemporary art works. As a result of the data analysis acquired in the research, the main themes of "Visual Literacy Awareness", "Associating Design with Visual Literacy" and "Discovering Visual Literacy Through Criticism" are emerged. As a result of the research, it has been found that the use of contemporary art approaches as a method helps teacher candidates achieving visual literacy awareness and critical perspective.