Designing and selecting symbols and Icons

Symbols and icons used for the pubic will be different than those used for a specific group such as an occupation or organization. Icons and symbols should:

• Be designed with the user group in mind.
• Be effective as a representation of a specific action, idea or object.
• Make use of standardized symbols and generally accepted meanings of certain colours and shapes whenever possible.
• Use simple, uncluttered designs.
• Not use the same picture for more than one meaning.
• Be easy to understand if aimed at the general public.
• Be tested with user groups and checked for unintended meanings (especially cultural).
• Take into account the viewing angle, viewing distance, and vision characteristics of the user group.

Exercise:

The following safety icons were created by the US Department of Homeland Security in 2002 as part of a $100 million advertising campaign to inform American citizens how to respond to specific events that might occur during a nuclear, chemical or biological terrorist attack. State what you think they mean. Do this exercise very quickly – these are icons you read when there is an emergency!