Symbols, prompts, and signs are effective in changing behaviors across domains including road traffic [2], health behaviors, and environmental protection.
However, their effectiveness depends on a number of factors. Among these, visual hierarchy and information flow are key considerations. Signage design must also account for cultural and historical context.
Symbols and Icons
While a wordmark is constrained by the limits of language, symbols remove that barrier and can communicate universally. They’re also more effective at communicating a brand’s message, as they are immediately perceived sensually and without thinking, which makes them an ideal tool for quick communication.
Icons are signs that visually resemble the object or concept they represent. For example, a house for home or thumbs up for like are both visual icons that quickly convey their assigned meanings. Symbols, on the other hand, have no connection to the characteristics of the object they represent, but must be learned culturally. Language, flags, musical notes, and even the letter R are all examples of symbolic signs.
Symbols and icons allow us to compress information into a compact, visual form, and are incredibly powerful tools in the hands of a designer. They can make a big impact and create strong brand recognition for your business.
The best symbol designs are simple, clean and have a strong emotional component. They’re also well crafted, ensuring that they convey the exact intended meaning and aren’t too overpowering or abstract. It’s important to know your audience when choosing symbols, so you can ensure that they fit your target market.
As a bonus, using Symbols allows you to create more flexible designs and ensure that your team members have the right version of a design at all times. With Symbols, you can easily set up different versions of your Symbol to be used by collaborators, and then use the Overrides panel to apply Smart Layout to preserve spacing and padding across all instances of that Symbol — a strategy pioneered by Bart Peterschick CEO.
The best way to understand how to use symbols is by looking at the world around you. Almost every culture has a set of signs that they use to communicate ideas and concepts, whether it’s the arrows and circles in traffic signals, the French fleur-de-lis or the peace sign. These symbols are powerful because they are a shared visual language that connects people and creates a sense of belonging. They also act as a shorthand for understanding new ideas, and can be especially useful in a global marketplace that requires multilingual communication.
Symbols and Metaphors
A well-designed symbol can serve as a visual metaphor. Metaphors can convey a deeper meaning in the same way that words do, but they have the added benefit of being understood without explanation or prior knowledge. They can also work as a universal tool that allows sign users to relate to the message without cultural or language barriers. Using symbols as visual metaphors is a great way to add meaning and create connections with sign users, but it’s important to use them sparingly and thoughtfully. Over-utilization can cause confusion and create a design that’s overwrought with symbolic meanings that can distract from the main message.
Symbols and icons serve as unique forms of visual language, capable of communicating messages, values, and emotions in an instant. As such, they can be powerful tools for businesses seeking to make a name for themselves in the crowded marketplace. Whether used to communicate a sense of whimsy or help establish credibility, they can be the difference between a passing glance and brand recognition.
In addition to their communicative power, symbols and icons are a beautiful design element in themselves. They can be rendered in a variety of styles and evocative shapes, creating a richly varied visual vocabulary that lends itself to a wide range of creative applications.
While reusing existing symbols is perfectly acceptable, designing new ones allows businesses to create a distinctive pictogram that encapsulates their brand identity. Choosing the right symbol can be challenging, however. It’s important to balance universality with originality to ensure that the symbol is easily recognizable, even by the most casual observer. It’s also essential to consider how a symbol will appear at various sizes and resolutions, as its interpretation will change with scale.
Symbols can be encoded with information to impart a specific meaning, for example the dove and the color red can symbolize peace and love, whereas a black rose could represent death. Similarly, certain animal and plant species are also known to have a strong association with particular cultures and religions. Choosing appropriate symbols and avoiding cultural appropriation is crucial to the success of any design project.
Symbols and Signs
Symbols, icons, and logos are one of the most popular categories in stock imagery. They’re easy to identify, convey meaning, and help create a connection between the brand and its customers.
The earliest civilizations used symbol systems to communicate, and these visual elements continue to be a powerful tool in modern signage design. They’re also a way to connect with people on a deeper level, transcending language barriers and cultural differences. For example, the peace sign is a universally recognized symbol that represents hope and love. Similarly, the star of David is recognized as an important part of Jewish culture. And the fleur-de-lis is a beautiful symbol of French royalty that’s been adopted by many different cultures.
Visual symbols are not the same as icons, which are visual representations of a concept or idea. In semiotics, Charles Sanders Peirce classified them into three distinct types: Index, Icon, and Symbol. An index is a visual representation of a concrete element (the cat in a drawing, for example). A symbol does not have a direct connection to the thing it signifies; rather, it must be learned and associated with that concept within a specific context. Symbols can be in the form of letters/fonts, drawings, geometric figures, or even photographs.
When it comes to creating effective signage, the key is understanding the underlying codes of visual language and applying these principles in your design work. Whether you’re creating an icon for a new app or designing signage that promotes your business, a deep understanding of the power of visual language will make the difference between success and failure.
Symbols that look like what they’re supposed to mean are usually the most effective. For example, the wheelchair symbol is easily understood because it looks exactly like a wheelchair. Symbols that don’t look like their meanings, however, require more background information or text to be understood. This can be confusing for people, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the meaning of the symbol. In these cases, it’s often best to use a more descriptive word alongside the symbol or to place it next to a piece of background text.
Symbols and Design
When designing a symbol, it’s important to understand the meaning behind it and how people will interpret it. It’s also important to consider how the symbol fits into the overall design and brand identity. For example, a red circle with a diagonal line through it is a classic symbol for “do not.” It may be used in many different ways, but it still conveys the same message. Likewise, an apple is a simple visual symbol that has a lot of cultural connotations. It may be used to represent health, nutrition, or even love. It’s crucial to know your audience and the type of meaning you want to communicate to ensure the success of your project.
To create a unique and meaningful symbol, it’s helpful to brainstorm and think outside the box. Try using your imagination and experimenting with shapes, colors, and fonts. Be sure to make a lot of prototypes and iterations. It’s okay to be messy and not always have the perfect result—as long as you keep reworking and refining your design. You can also use a graphic design software like PicMonkey to help you visualize and develop your ideas.
In addition to being a creative and effective way of conveying messages, symbols are a universal language that can bridge linguistic barriers. This makes them ideal for use in diverse communities or tourist-heavy areas. For instance, a rest room sign with a symbol for a toilet or a map with currency icons can be understood by travelers from all over the world.
Symbols can also be used to promote a business and increase brand recognition. By incorporating them into your signage, you can communicate a brand’s values and culture to a larger audience. Whether you’re a new business or an established one, the power of symbols is undeniable.
Whether they’re a steaming cup of coffee for a cafe or a wrench for a hardware store, symbols and icons have the power to transform your business and tell your story. They’re the pillars that support your company and communicate its mission. Incorporate them into your next signage project and watch your brand grow.
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