Lecture: Message and Meaning

 

“The difference between poetry and practical messages is that the latter are successful only when we correctly infer the intention.”
-Michael Rock

communications are only successful when your audience react in a certain way.

Message - a short communication
Meaning - what the source or sender expresses. what the receiver infers from the current context.

Sender: (encoder, designer)

• translate information in to symbols that represent ideas or concepts.
• to improve; mentally visualise the communication from the receivers point of view
• is the message urgent? is immediate feedback needed? is documentation required? inside or outside?  =  choose an effective channel

Channel: (medium of transmission)

• each medium has its own strengths dependent on situational effectiveness 

'are we sleepwalking through our waking state or wake-walking through our dreams.'-waking life

Kurzgesagt; German company that produce information films

Receiver: (decoder)

Conclusion:

• without feedback the sender cannot confirm that the receiver has interpreted the message correctly.