Symbol Systems

Introduction / Overview

Design and application of graphic systems in the production of visual communications within frameworks of theories of communication and signs.

Contents

Gerd Arntz (1900– 1988) was a German Modernist artist and graphic designer. His symbols and icon work is of great importance to the world of visual communication. His symbol signs are drawn with preciseness and a wonderful feeling for dimensions. As a politically engaged artist and designer, Arntz depicted social miscarriages in the world in wood and linoleum cuts. His simple and direct style was very suitable for use in image statistics, as developed together with the social scientist Otto Neurath

(1882–1945) the famous ISOTYPE sign system. During his long career, Arnzt created over 4,000 coherent, powerful and legible symbols and figures, of which we can still see the influence all around us today.

Analysis Paper: Gerd Arntz & Sigsn + Symbols ISOTYPE

Gerd Arntz Analysis Paper

Gerd Arntz participated in visual representations and movements that demonstrated art through expressionalism and constructivism. Arntz’s graphic style displayed characteristics that would embark primitive or political affirmations, and demographics representations in a simplistic fromat. Arntz created over 400 Isotype pictograms and visual signs. Arntz wanted to simplify images rather than demonstrate exact figures. He wanted to focus on the beauty of simplicity rather than the “distraction of detail.” Arntz’s intent was for the images to provide and connect the relations; “-the text can be limited to key words instead of sentences. Although Otto demonstrated symbols that were virtually illiterate that stemed from socialism, the simplicity of these images are characterized in a universal format that is used as inspiration for other artists today.

Selected Symbols

Why you selected these symbols

The reference I chose to visually represent was quoted by William Shakespeare,” Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we often might win, by fearing to attempt.” I chose to simplfy this phrase/quote “Thoughts can betray our actions.” I pondered on many quotes and sayings but I wanted to challenge my design peers and have this be a little complex. I admire the bold line weights with these images. I chose this quote because of the complexity and allow the audience to ponder the significance of its meaning. The simplicity of the images and its overall visual representation contrast with the meaning of the quote.

Gerd Arntz Rebus Statement

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we often might win by fearing to attempt.”- Shakespeare

Our thoughts betray our actions.

Project 1: 5 Human Senses Symbol Family Project Description

Peter Megert (1937– ) in Berne, Switzerland. He was educated at the Kunstgewerbeschule there in Berne. He also pursued his education in France and the United States. He studied design planning, communication, graphic production and filmmaking at the Ohio State University. IIn 1968, invited by Paul Rand, Megert became the advisory graphic designer at the Westinghouse Corporate Design Center in Pittsburgh. In 1970, he was appointed professor of visual

communication design at Ohio State University. in 1970, he was appointed as a professor of visual communication design at Ohio State University. Megert received three federal awards for design excellence in Switzerland, twice for one of the best Swiss posters of the year.

Students of the Autumn Semester course, Intro to Visual Communciation Design (DSGN 3103) honor him and his many contributions by undertaking his famous 5 Human Senses assignment.

5 Human Senses Symbol Family

For this assignment, our class was divided into two sections. Each student got the opportunity to randomly seclect a noun or a verb. While each student was still required to visually represent the five human senses, we each had to eastbalish a

While I was assigned a verb, I chose to compose multiple iterations in order to select the intended graphic style. I first created my symbol set with the intentionality of representing tasting, smelling, touching, seeing, and hearing. I composed thse iterations through a stylistic and systmeatic

5

Human Senses Symbol Family Sketches + Iterations

5 Human Senses Symbol Family Refinements + Color Studies

5 Human Senses Symbol Family Complete Symbol Family

5 Human Senses Symbol Family Root / Determinant Strategy

After completing my full set of the five human senses, I was assigned the category of Pediatric reflief to apply to set for additional visual representation and apply to real-world scenarios. I chose the hand/touch as my final symbol due to the simplistic and seamless appeal that embodies a straighfroward strategy. The circular motion of the hand incorporates contrast and inner dimension and texture within the hand.

5 Human Senses Symbol Family

Determinant Symbols

I experiemented with mutliple concepts and iterations. I also composed different concepts for some of my other symbols of the five senses to gather an alternate perspective on the intended application.

5 Human Senses Symbol Family Wayfinding Application

Project 2: Implementing, Promoting + Education Project Description

Our second project involved the development of a comprehensive symbol system. Included is the symbols’ promotion, implementation and education for a brand organization/institution. It focused on the research, process methodology, symbol grid/logic, legibility/scale, user comprehension testing, writing and demonstrating possible applications.

One of four different client projects were assigned to each student (through lottery):

• Wexner Center for the Arts

• Franklin Park Conservatory

• Whole Foods Market

• Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks

I was assigned Franklin Park Conservatory for this assignement. I designed a symbol set based on some of the collections displayed at the Franklin Park Conservatory. For an overview, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden and conservatory located in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and Dale Chihuly artworks. Along with creating my eight categories, I continue to expand my research and created two additional symbols to add onto my set.

My reference categories were the following:

- Palm House -Community Garden

-Desert Biome -Gift Shop/Plant Store

-Daylily Graden -Blooms and Butterflies

-Ornamnetal Grass

-Bonsai Collection

-James Turrell Light Raiment 2

Implementing, Promoting + Education Refinements + Color Studies

Implementing, Promoting + Education Complete Symbol Family Color

Implementing, Promoting + Education Pattern + Process

I composed four different patterns using a variety of symbols from my set fo conclude the proper intentionality for my final composition.

Carter Teal / Franklin Park Conservatory

Carter TEal / Franklin Park Conservatory

Carter Teal / Franklin Park Conservatory

Implementing, Promoting + Education Pattern + Application

I composed two different patterned bags. The two shopping bags are displayed in two visual representations, through mock-up templates for a 3D depiction and digitally- rendered in 2D.

Conclusion

This final project includes verbal documentation as DSGN 3103. This document provides an overview of my of compositions and process work thoughout this semester. I obtained a great deal of knowledge with symbol systems as well as a new knowledge on visual

My final poster is composed with all of the symbols i my symbol set as well as making my color pallete and overall poster with an aesthetically pleasing appeal.