Week 1 - Directional Symbols

A symbol is 'a sign that has no connection between the sign and what it means. It relies exclusively on the reader having learnt the connection between the sign and its meaning'

+ a symbol does not work if there is any doubt to what it is

++ we can store 2000 images but over 50 000 words and we are constantly reading and seeing new ones

• visual clues
• understanding culture
• reading and seeing
• a good symbol should work in any culture with someone who can read and someone who cant
• symbols can have 2 messages

[ANALOGUE] - continues, you experience something - it moves on

[DIGITAL] - something you break down ie. letters

iconic sings - have a meaning, symbolic eg. photographs

iconic words - POW!, smashed! (humans make 41 sounds)

semantic - danger affiliation

pseudo writing - abbreviating eg. txt msging and I <3>

>pictograph - object/action, oldest symbols, we draw what we want to explain

>phonogram - sound mark

>ideogram - concept/ idea

In-class exercise Week 1

[TANGRAM] ;The tangram is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat shapes, called tans, which are put together to form shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape (given only in outline or silhouette) using all seven pieces, which may not overlap.

Far left: Flower in pot, Top right: Tow truck/ute, Bottom right: Kettle with Steam, Top middle: Fish, Bottom middle: Action figure

This exercise led to a different way of thinking. At first it was a challenge but after some time the shapes began to flow quicker and i was able to see figures in a more creative/child-like way.

Directional Symbols

Exit Symbol: Directing people the safest and easiest way to exit in case of an emergency

Walking path: Symbol letting people know it is safe to walk on the path provided

Crossing: Symbol directing congestion to a safe place of crossing

Walk: Symbol directing people that its safe to walk to the other side when lit

Stand left: Symbol directing people to stand left when on an escalator to prevent hold ups