Frozenism: Conceptual Visual Language for Social Impact [A Methodology that Uses Visual Art to Evoke Empathy and Inspire Social Change]

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The accelerating impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, glacial retreat, and species extinction, have underscored the urgent need for effective communication of scientifically validated environmental threats to the public. Designers and artists, whose roles increasingly extend beyond commercial objectives, bear a social responsibility to engage communities and to contribute to raising awareness of these issues. This study explores the potential of visual communication, through the conceptual framework of Frozenism , to symbolize environmental crises and to foster deeper public understanding and engagement. Drawing upon empirical data related to global warming, such as urban flooding caused by rising sea levels, the reduction of polar ice masses, and the extinction risks facing species like polar bears, —the natural cycle of ice (formation, stasis, and disappearance) is reinterpreted as the triadic concept of Frozenism : Protection (to keep, to preserve), Stillness (to lock, to hold), and Death (to stop). By transforming complex scientific information into abstract visual metaphors and conceptual imagery, this approach develops a visual language that makes environmental issues more accessible and emotionally resonant. The findings indicate that the poetic and symbolic visualizations inherent in Frozenism facilitate intuitive comprehension of environmental threats while encouraging reflective engagement. This method transcends conventional data dissemination by fostering emotional connections and shifting public perception, thereby promoting more active participation in addressing ecological challenges.