The Architecture of Visual Persuasion

Felix Frank, historian and visual researcher, in his study, surrounded by books and camera equipment.
Felix Frank – Historian & Visual Researcher.

Tracing the architecture of visual persuasion – from prehistoric cave paintings to the algorithmically driven narratives of the 21st century. My work is fundamentally driven by one question:

How do the stories we visualize define the way we act?

We do not live in a world of pure information; we live in a world of abstractions. Since the dawn of time, humans have visualized their environment to make it navigable and meaningful. Today, these visual frameworks have become our primary reality. I investigate why we base our societies on these abstractions and how the mechanics of storytelling – from classical propaganda to modern AI – shape our perception of what is possible and what is true.

Key Research Areas

01 // Historical Framing: The Construction of Reality

A bucket wheel excavator is operating in the rhenish lignite mining area
Fig. 1: Bucket-wheel excavator operating in the rhenish lignite area. (Screenshot from “Schätze unter deinen Füßen, 1961)

My research investigates how corporate media and industrial film have fundamentally shaped modern society. Using the history of large-scale industry as a lens, I deconstruct how visual narratives were used to legitimize massive environmental interventions. This “Aesthetics of Feasibility” framed industrial expansion as a cultural necessity. Understanding these historical patterns is crucial for navigating our current ecological and technological discourses.

02 // Digital Visual Rhetoric: Algorithms and New Persuasion

In the digital realm, I examine how Social Media and Artificial Intelligence are revolutionizing storytelling. Algorithms do not just “show” content; they architect our perception of reality. I question the traditional view of “propaganda” and explore its role as an inevitable structure of modern communication. My focus lies on how these automated visuals redefine our collective memory and individual agency in an age of digital saturation.

AI-generated visualization of algorithmic information patterns.
Fig. 2: AI-generated visualization of algorithmic patterns.

03 // Symbolism and Practice: From Insight to Action

Images are more than illustrations; they are vessels for memory and catalysts for action. As a scholar-practitioner, I bridge the gap between theory and cinematic production. I apply these principles to craft more effective visual narratives, aiming to improve how we communicate complex ideas. Whether in an academic visual essay or strategy consultation for businesses, the goal remains the same: using the deconstruction of the visible to build better, more conscious stories.

Selected Publications & Projects

01 // Academics

  • 2026 // PhD in History (Candidate) – Focus: Visual Rhetoric and the Construction of Industrial Narratives (RUB).
  • 2017 // Master of Science – Industrial Archaeology and Industrial Culture (TUBAF).
  • 2013 // Bachelor of Science – Prehistoric and Historic Archaeology (CAU Kiel).

02 // Conferences & Presentations

  • 2021 // Workshop: Werksfilm, Gebrauchsfilm (Bochum) – Industrial Cinema as a source for Visual History.

03 // Selected Articles & Reviews

  • 2025 // Review: Stahl im Film. Ein Medium der Unternehmenskommunikation. In: Filmblatt (87), Babelsberg.
  • 2024 // Review: Kohlezeit. Eine Global- und Wissensgeschichte. In: Werkstatt Geschichte (89), Bielefeld.
  • 2020 // Article: Das rheinische Braunkohlenrevier im Industriefilm. In: Geschichtskultur Ruhr (02/2020), Essen.
  • 2017 // Photography & Text: Zwei deutschlandweit einmalige Studiengänge. In: Industriekultur (3), Essen.

04 // Science Communication & Impact

  • 2023 // Specialization: Science Communication: Making complex research accessible.
  • 2021 // Specialization: Journalistic Communication of Academic Topics.

Further Reading & Related Links

For a full academic record, feel free to [view my CV here]. You can also follow me on YouTube or join the conversation on Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you!