Visual Pranks can incorporate concealed messages - referenced from the book : 100 ideas that changed Graphic Design,Pg.93,idea No.43, Authors : Steven Heller & Veronique Vienne
Rebuses are basically a Pictorial image representing a sound . There are famous Graphic Design artworks that have the usage of Visual Communication but this time let's say it is a Visual Prank of Communication, a Concealed Prank. Rene Magritte's famous painting Ceci n'est pas une pipe can be a Riddle & a Rebus at the same time, not to forget that Rene uses an image of a Pipe and not a Pipe - distinguishing these two is the interesting part .
The famous IBM logo, using a rebus to describe it's sound
The IBM logo represents the International Business Machine, at some point or another the Graphic Designer Paul Rand changed the sound of the original logo to an outstanding composition . Apart from confusing the viewers it had an interesting role of play, as it all made sense once you've gotten the idea behind it - Speaking out the word IBM stand for I-Eye, B-Bee & M-Original M from the IBM company. Paul took the advantage of using riddle by designing illustrations.
The famous I Love NY (1977) a rebus by Milton Glaser
The word Rebus comes from the Latin ' by things or ' made by things ' and this shows exactly the term to prove it . The power of combining Letters & pictures together can form a rhythm .
"If Glaser had signed a royalty agreement, he would be probably the richest graphic designer on earth" referenced from the book : 100 ideas that changed Graphic Design, Pg.93, idea no.43, Authors : Steven Heller & Veronique Vienne
"If Glaser had signed a royalty agreement, he would be probably the richest graphic designer on earth" referenced from the book : 100 ideas that changed Graphic Design, Pg.93, idea no.43, Authors : Steven Heller & Veronique Vienne
References :
https://meritcoba.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/the-treachery-of-images-this-is-not-a-pipe-19482-1.jpg - Ceci n'est pas une pipe
http://beachpackagingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Paul-Rand-eye-bee-M-poster-1981.jpg - Paul Rand IBM Rebus
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/newyorkschool-141109114821-conversion-gate01/95/new-york-school-50-638.jpg?cb=1415533779 - ILNYC
https://meritcoba.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/the-treachery-of-images-this-is-not-a-pipe-19482-1.jpg - Ceci n'est pas une pipe
http://beachpackagingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Paul-Rand-eye-bee-M-poster-1981.jpg - Paul Rand IBM Rebus
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/newyorkschool-141109114821-conversion-gate01/95/new-york-school-50-638.jpg?cb=1415533779 - ILNYC