Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to Researching with Visual Materials by Gillian Rose

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book covers so much of everything, that it is basically just a huge literature review referring to many other sources on visual research methodologies (from imagery as a method to imagery as data and everything in between). Very academic. Very structured, though not an instruction on how to do the research. I didn't find it particularly helpful (or interesting), but it does introduce a very specific terminology, broad bibliography, and some other hints for further research.

I am a postgraduate student with a decade of professional experience in visual communication, and I would say this book strikes a note somewhere between MA and Ph.D.; also might be useful for those researching visuals in their professional practices (scenographers, advertisers, designers, creative directors, artists, etc) and aiming for a greater depth, but again - only as a starting point for further reading.

P.S. if you buy it, buy the 4th edition, as it is updated with additional chapters about the digital era.

View all my reviews