Balancing Effective Visual Communication and Anti-Stereotype in Women’s Empowerment Visuals

Abstract

Visuals have been increasingly preferred as a means for advocating for feminism. Visual content creators with such ends design visual content in particular ways to attract and create resonance with female audiences. However, in doing so, visual creators may be contributing to the social construction of “female”, potentially undermining their efforts. The current study provides an explanation of the components of effective visual communication and anti-gender stereotypes, identifies their connection and a dilemma for visual creators, and suggests possible solutions as to how to balance the two. There is no one solution that is capable of solving the problem entirely, and the efficacy of the solutions varies based on the particular visual communication method and/or the circumstances and viewpoint of the affected group, indicating the necessity for customized approaches.