A Study on the Visual Elements of Posters in Autism Exhibitions Based on Theory of Emotion

With growing public interest in autism, exhibitions showcasing autism-related information and content created by individuals with autism have become significant educational platforms for fostering understanding and support. This study, based on emotion theory, explores how visual elements of autism exhibition posters—such as color, form, and layout—enhance visitors' emotional empathy. The subjects of this study are eight exhibition posters from art museums and autism charities in China. Using SD semantic analysis, the study quantifies the impact of visual elements on three levels of emotional communication and validates key design elements through multiple regression analysis. Results show that form and line increase viewing motivation, color significantly influences emotional experience, typography improves information delivery, and overall mood fosters emotional empathy. Future autism exhibition poster designs should focus on unifying visual elements, meeting emotional needs, and enhancing appeal and experience to further promote public understanding and support.