Re: From abstract to concrete visual representations

Gunnar and Jose
 
Thanks for the discussion and links. I accept Gunnar's point about symbolism being more widely illustrative and representative than photographs. Although with symbols depicting more neutral subjects then photographs might still have their place, e.g. road signage with frogs or dear? 
 
There are clear research indications that the brain would respond more rapidly to graphical formats linked to colour and 3D shapes, which could still be subject neutral - do either of you have any thoughts or links about usage of colour and 3D imagery in design as opposed to the simplicity of black and white? 
 
Elizabeth
 

________________________________

From: [email protected] on behalf of Jose de Souza
Sent: Tue 26/08/2008 14:18
To: Discussions about information design
Subject: InfoD-Cafe: From abstract to concrete visual representations



Dear Gunnar and Elizabeth,

Just to add some visual references in this rather text-based discussion.
The effects of abstract/concrete representations of human faces has
been adventurously explored by Scott McCloud. I think it is worth
checking his "big triangle of iconography":

http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~mfram/Media/0505-UC-triangle-all.jpg
http://www.scottmccloud.com/inventions/triangle/triangle.html (for a
brief explanation)

Enjoy it,

Jose'


2008/8/26 Swanson, Gunnar <[email protected]>:
> Elizabeth,
>
> One of the interesting ironies of Modernist design ideology is the appeal of photography (as mechanical, devoid of personal mark making, thus neutral) during a quest for the universal. (Maybe Swiss leadership in the movement was what caused the confusion between neutrality and universality.)
>
> As has been pointed out here, airport symbol signage is culturally charged, but photos would be even more so. In my decades of producing graphic design, one of the hurdles I've lost hope of leaping is the human tendency to expand and contract analogies. A photo meant to mean "student" becomes "male student," "frat boy," "science geek," or whatever. A pictograph of a baby may read to someone as "baby" but a photo of a baby is always one particular baby at one particular time.
>
> A women's bathroom with a reductive skirt may run afoul of kilt and lavalva wearers' assumptions but gender segregation and, for that matter, bathrooms are cultural anyway. But a photo of me on a bathroom door wouldn't say "men" to much of anyone. Even if context made it clear that this was a bathroom and the image was informational, the echos of doors that said "white men only" would be loud to many. To others, the image of a shaved head guy with a goatee might mean "beware of perverts hanging around the stalls."
>
> Even if you searched stock photography for the "everyman," who/what would that be? The world is already full of signs that (perhaps inadvertently) read "Republicans only" to me. (I grew up in Orange County, California, so they never slow me down.) The image of someone in chinos and tasseled shoes wouldn't say "This place is for you" to me.
>
> Gunnar
> ----------
> Gunnar Swanson Design Office
> 1901 East 6th Street
> Greenville, North Carolina 27858
>
> [email protected]
> +1 252 258 7006
>
> at East Carolina University:
> +1 252 328 2839
> [email protected]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] on behalf of elizabeth.lomas
> Sent: Mon 8/25/2008 12:55 PM
> To: Discussions about information design; Discussions about information design
> Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: Typeface for wayfinding
>
> I was interested to read the discussions about typeface for wayfinding and the spinoff on signage more generally. Recent psychology research has shown that the more connections within the brain are stimulated then the quicker recognition kicks in. Therefore real images, i.e. a photograph of a real baby (with texture, form and colour) will be more likely to invoke a quicker response. Can anyone tell me whether any articles have been written on this from a design/signage persepctive?
>
> I would also be really interested to be pointed to some key works on colour in design. I am a PhD student looking at the design of information communication system.
>
> Grateful for any pointers and/or discussion on my first point.
>
> Elizabeth Lomas
> University of Northumbria
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: [email protected] on behalf of Swanson, Gunnar
> Sent: Fri 22/08/2008 12:50
> To: Discussions about information design
> Subject: Re: InfoD-Cafe: Typeface for wayfinding
>
>
>
> re: http://www.fontshop.com/features/newsletters/aug08b/index.html
>
> Conrad is, of course, right on with his comparison to Leroy lettering. If Barry Deck gave us template lettering done by a drooling fool (was that really almost twenty years ago?) then Daniel Utz has given us an ideal of the dead-but-not-forgotten Rapidigraph world.
>
> I think it's a handsome typeface. The forms are even and smooth but their combination is not. That produces an almost sweet clumsiness that might be endearing but could, in many contexts, be irritating.
>
> I wonder about the "ideal for wayfinding" and "quick recognition" claims. I'd have to spend some time and do some experimentation but if bets have to be on the table, I'm guessing no on both.
>
> I joined in the symbol mockery but, for the most part, they are recognizable to anyone who can read the current common symbols such as the AIGA/DOT symbols common in the US. Anyone who calls them "universal" in the fullest sense, is a fool but Adolph Loos' famous Papuans rarely visit airports. (When they do, I suppose they'd need to follow a tour guide with an intricately tattooed flag.)
>
> The second to the left on the top pedestrian walkway sign had me stumped until I noted the context of the bicycle path sign. I'm still not sure about the one with Mr. Clippie in a hurry on the lower right. Other than that, they are as clear as signs for bathrooms, baby changing stations, and hotel availability ever are and perhaps as clear as they will be.
>
> The various "universal" symbol signs don't functions as Esperanto and don't try to. They are a pidgin. Inarticulate and not always precise but easy to learn for a broad range of people. They are not universal or all-inclusive--ideals never reached much of anywhere (and perhaps rightly so.) They are just minimally exclusive.
>
> My favorite symbol to mock in the AIG/DOT series is the "no food or drink" negated cup and hamburger one. I claim that it means "no thanks. Just the fries." (In case you don't know what I'm talking about but http://www.xpress-signs.com/images/OSHA/symbols/SYM_55.gif is similar.)
>
> Gunnar
> ----------
> Gunnar Swanson Design Office
> 1901 East 6th Street
> Greenville, North Carolina 27858
>
> [email protected]
> +1 252 258 7006
>
> at East Carolina University:
> +1 252 328 2839
> [email protected]
>
>
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous
> content by the NorMAN MailScanner Service and is believed
> to be clean.
>
> The NorMAN MailScanner Service is operated by Information
> Systems and Services, Newcastle University.
>
>
>
>
>
> This e-mail is intended solely for the addressee. It may contain private and confidential information. If you are not the intended addressee, please take no action based on it nor show a copy to anyone. Please reply to this e-mail to highlight the error. You should also be aware that all electronic mail from, to, or within Northumbria University may be the subject of a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and related legislation, and therefore may be required to be disclosed to third parties.
>
> This e-mail and attachments have been scanned for viruses prior to leaving Northumbria University. Northumbria University will not be liable for any losses as a result of any viruses being passed on.
>
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
>
> Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:
>  [email protected]
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit:
>  http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe
>
> For all Information Design matters:
>  http://InformationDesign.org <http://informationdesign.org/> 
>
> Problems? Write to:
>  [email protected]
> ___________________________________________________________________
>
>



--
José Marconi Bezerra de Souza
PhD Student
Department of Typography & Graphic Communication
The University of Reading

Member of the Society of Technical Communication

___________________________________________________________________

Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers:
 [email protected]

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit:
 http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe

For all Information Design matters:
 http://InformationDesign.org <http://informationdesign.org/> 

Problems? Write to:
 [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________

--
This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous
content by the NorMAN MailScanner Service and is believed
to be clean.

The NorMAN MailScanner Service is operated by Information
Systems and Services, Newcastle University.

___________________________________________________________________

Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: 
 [email protected]

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit:
 http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe

For all Information Design matters:
 http://InformationDesign.org

Problems? Write to:
 [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________