VISC 304
Pictograms for the Parks!
In recent years, there's been a push to make national parks more accessible while ensuring responsible use. However, putting this into practice presents challenges. One way to enhance access is through thoughtful visual communication design. The increasing interest in outdoor activities has attracted a diverse range of visitors to our parks. This surge in visitors has worsened management issues like overcrowding, emphasis on day use, urban development nearby, and the need for nuanced communication strategies due to differences in language, culture, experience, and socioeconomic status.
Park managers typically rely on limited communication tools, including indirect methods like maps, signs, and brochures, as well as direct interactions. While two-way communication is usually more effective and preferred by visitors, constraints like budget, staffing, and language barriers may make it impractical. Therefore, effective one-way communication tools are crucial for addressing these management challenges.
One such tool is signage featuring pictorial symbols, commonly used in recreational and public settings to convey information universally. Symbol-based signs are especially useful because their meaning can be intuitively understood, even by individuals encountering them for the first time, and visual reinforcement can influence visitor decisions. However, symbols can be interpreted differently, lacking the clarity of spoken or written communication. The effectiveness of graphical symbols hinges on their comprehension and the clarity of their design.
The design question we are exploring in this final project is how might the design of a set (10) of pictorial symbols (or pictograms) visually communicate more effectively and universally in a campground setting.
Symbols List:
Bear Spray Recycling
Self Guided Trail
Campfire Ash Disposal
Watch for Falling Rocks
Food Cache
First Come First Serve
Hiking on Uneven Surfaces
Firewood
Campground
Fire Grate
Steps:
Brainstorm ideas for new pictorial symbols that address identified communication challenges.
Sketch initial concepts and refine them based on feedback
Create digital prototypes of selected pictorial symbols, exploring different visual styles that enhance clarity and universality and creating a system of visual language to apply across your icon set.
Iterate on designs based on user feedback and usability testing results.
Finalize designs based on feedback from testing!
SCHEDULE:
4 / 18 / 24
IN CLASS
Brainstorm ideas for new pictorial symbols that address identified communication challenges.
HOMEWORK
Sketch initial concepts and create mood board of various graphic inspiration for your mark making.
Bring in 3 icons sketched in at least 3 different visual styles (9 total). Print out to pin up. Print both large and small sizes.
4 / 23 / 24
IN CLASS
Review initial sketches, mood board and
stylistic exploration
HOMEWORK
Make refinements based on feedback and sketch the rest of the set of the set.
4 / 25 / 24
IN CLASS
Review refinements and 10 pictograms in process.
HOMEWORK
Create digital prototypes of all icons and work on defining and applying a consistent visual language across the set.
4 / 30 / 24
IN CLASS
Review refinements and 10 pictograms in process.
HOMEWORK
Create digital prototypes of all icons and work on defining and applying a consistent visual language across the set.
5 / 2 / 24
IN CLASS
Review review refinements and 10 pictograms in process.
HOMEWORK
Pictogram set due. PDF uploaded and printed out for Sophomore Review.