Symbols and icons are fundamentals of visual communication. We all look at an object, and our minds interpret it into meaning. It is important to remember that our perceptions and biases will differ from those of others, which is why collaboration and comparison are significant assets in any graphic design project.
Tasks
- This task requires a group of people to work together, ideally in a class, but it can also be done in pairs. Below is a list of 20 activities. Quickly sketch ten icons for each activity, and select your strongest to present to the others. Astronomy, athletics, baking, camping, caving, cooking, climbing, cycling, drawing, fishing, gaming, gardening, music, painting, photography, reading, sailing, sewing, swimming, and writing.
- Exchange and analyse your drawings. Compare and contrast the interpretations of each icon. Extract interesting shapes and details. Add your notes from this conversation to your drawings in the form of annotations and sketches.
- Using these findings, collaboratively redesign the icons as a set. Each person should take one icon. If there are not enough for your group size, add your own.
- Additional task: Consider the audience of your icon set. Without changing the meaning of each icon, develop them to appeal to the following target groups:
- Specific customers: e.g. people who work in the financial sector.
- Local marketing: e.g., a new local community book club.
- Demographics: e.g., women ages 18-25 in education.
- Customer needs: e.g. hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Lifestyle: e.g. people who identify as punks and anarchists.
- Customer preferences: e.g. people who want to minimise their environmental impact.
- Lifestyle: e.g. jet-setters and luxury holidaymakers.
- Culture: e.g. willingness to pay, e.g. people with a high disposable income.
- Interests: e.g. people interested in art and design.
- Values: e.g. people who want more inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
- Behaviour: e.g. people who use social media as a status-seeking platform.
Automatic Ad Middle Of Content
This assignment is taken from the book Graphic Design School.