Conference paper
Visual Analysis Of Children Books Illustration As a Psychiatric Therapy
One of the most acute urban problems is the emergence of psychiatric problems caused by the acceleration of daily routine. These psychiatric problems not only suffered by adults, but also children. These children generally have a problem called B.L.A.S.T. (Bored, Lonely, Angry-Afraid, Sad, Tired). To overcome this problem, there are a number of ways, including reading. Since 1802, Benjamin Rush, the father of United States psychiatry, recommends reading as part of therapy for patients with mental disorders. This therapy also applies for children by adding more illustrations wihin the books. This study analyzed three illustrated books that read by children in Indonesia from ages 7-13 years. The Illustrations analyzed by Roland Barthes's semiotic approach, to get conclusions regarding how illustration have a positive psychiatric therapy impact on children. The finding and results based on semiotic approach that, books mentioned above have the potential to overcome of B.L.A.S.T. because it contains two functions, education and entertainment. This assumption supported by theoritical view of psychologist Jean Piaget, things that educate and entertain are two important elements as a therapy for many kinds of psychiatric problems.
Keywords: Children, Illustration, Psychology,Semiotics, B.L.A.S.T
