Signs and it’s Forms
A sign is anything that creates meaning. It’s anything that can be used to represent something else.
The Parts of Signs:
- Signifier — the form of a sign. The form might be a sound, a word, a photograph, a facial expression, etc.
- Signified — the concept or object that’s represented. The concept or command to stop, a warning of the wet floor.
- Interpretant — the sense of what’s actually communicated, what the audience makes of the sign.
The Categories of Signifiers:
- An Index shows evidence of what’s being represented. A good example is using an image of a footprint to indicate foot.
- An Icon has a physical resemblance to the signified, the thing being represented. A photograph is a good example as it certainly resembles whatever it depicts.
- A Symbol has no resemblance between the signifier and the signified. The connection between them must be culturally learned. Numbers and alphabets are good examples. Exclamation marks are also used to express surprise, astonishment, or any other such strong emotion which must be learned and it usually becomes associated with the concept it represents over time.
Okay!
To start with the reflection point on Iconic Representation, I stopped at the few places to take photos of the signboards without making much thinking about where I could find because I know where the signs are placed since It is in my unconscious memory due to my everyday commute. That's the power of Icons, yeah.
While taking photos, I realized that all the signs are placed purposefully. It's not a random placement of signboards at some height and at someplace with lights or with fancy colors.
For example,
Priority signs are used in public places to refer to prioritize the people who need it more.
The sign is placed at the human eye level near the elevator. Since the icon signifies the object that’s represented but the supporting text interprets the actual sense of the sign.
Emergency signs are used in public/residential/commercial/production places to refer to use in case of a fire emergency.
The sign is placed at the human eye level near the service core of the building. The representation is simple and direct. Resemblance icons work best by showing the hose to indicate the location of it, but the idea is to communicate that the hose supplies water to use in case of fire.
Navigation signs are used in public places like malls/offices to refer to show the mode to reach the next floor.
The signs are placed hanging from the mall ceiling of about 4 m from the ground level. In the crowded mall, shoppers don't have visual access to the signboards at the eye level. At a high level, these navigation signs are visible from a very long distance helps people in the way finding.
Prohibited signs are used in public places to refer to prohibited actions.
The placement of the sign(D) in the mall escalator is in the bottom/top access of the escalator which is perfect view zone because that is when/where one looks away from the phone and watches the step to climb on/down.
Closing Thoughts
Creating Icons are simple but not easy!
To support this changing world, simplicity and harmony are key visual elements that people needed rather confused with the complication which makes them think but people want to stay focused on their flow. It should be the best problem solver with meaningful text. It should be functional, contextual and visually pleasing. Clean and accurate with chosen style.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to become an expert in UX Design, Design Thinking, UI Design, or another related design topic, then consider to take an online UX course from the Interaction Design Foundation. For example, Design Thinking, Become a UX Designer from Scratch, Conducting Usability Testing or User Research — Methods and Best Practices. Good luck on your learning journey!
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