Design as paratextual elements
In the concept of paratext, originally associated with books and literary interpretation, the main “text” becomes visual through supporting material. These framing elements, supplied by editors, printers, and publishers, contextualize and affect the text’s interpretation and reception. Paratextual material includes not only the surrounding cover, title, front matter, and footnotes, but also formatting, typography, and external promotion.
In short, the paratext is everything other than the text. Text, the main body of piece of writing that is distinct from other material such as notes, or appendices, includes something (a story, movie, or idea) that can be examined or explicated. With this broad reading of text, the paratext includes the concept of hypotext, earlier text that served as a source for the current text.
A few pages from my thesis: Mediating Messages; a Paratextual Approach to Design
