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Sign & Symbol Computer Graphics & Design 1
Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
4th July 2005
Silpakorn University, Thailand
Dr.Surapong Lertsithichai, Ph.D.
Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University
Pongpan Suriyapat
IT University of Göteborg, Sweden
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Sign & Symbol
What is Sign ?
What is Symbol ?
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Sign & Symbol
ÍÔËÂѧ ¡èÍ ??
Where's the toilet !?!
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Sign & Symbol
ÍëÍ !!
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Sign & Symbol
Global Language
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Sign & Symbol
Communication
Basic human survival skill
Means of expression for mutual understanding (global words)
Vocal or verbal communication (red indian)
Represent and store information
Condense information and meaning: Signs and Symbols
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Where?
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Sign Definition
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a
fact, condition, or quality (Webster)
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire,
information, or a command: gave the go-ahead sign
(Webster)
Signs can take the form of words, images, sounds, odors,
flavors, acts or objects
Anything can be a sign as long as someone interprets it as
'signifying' something - referring to or standing for
something other than itself
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Basic Signs
Square
Triangle
Circle
Arrow
Cross
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The Square
Characteristics: closed, boundaried property, protection,
floor, ceiling, earth’s surface
On a corner: disquieting, yield attention (traffic sign
backgrounds)
Oblong (rectangle): lose neutral status, directional
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The Square
Plane / Protection Closure Attention
Information Caution
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The Square
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The Triangle
Characteristics: closed, relate to horizontal or vertical
reference line
Vertical triangle: horizontal movement, left or right
Horizontal triangle: horizontal base conveys stability or
permanence (warning), reversed triangle conveys
aggression or prohibitness
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The Triangle
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The Circle
Characteristics: closed, eternal recurrence
Meanings:
- Going around, cycle
- No beginning, no ending
- Towards center or radiate outward
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The Circle
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Creating Signs
Simplify the Form
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Creating Signs
Combination of basic sign elements
- Same forms
- Different forms
- Open/ Closed forms
Outline and Solid
- Thickness of lines
- Swelling and shrinking
Positive and Negative
- Indication of form, absence of form
Patterns
Volumetric
- Perspective
- Shadowing
- Optical illusions
Colors
- Distinguishable, memorable (Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green,
Orange, Brown)
- Color psychology (warm/ cold, abstract meanings)
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Creating Signs
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
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Samples
Announce Caution Warning
Should / Must Do not
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Symbols
Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or
convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible
(Webster)
A printed or written sign used to represent an operation, element, quantity,
quality, or relation, as in mathematics or music (Webster)
An object or image that an individual unconsciously uses to represent
repressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses: a phallic symbol (Psychology)
A mode in which the signifier does not resemble the signified but is
fundamentally arbitrary or purely conventional - so that the relationship must
be learnt (e.g., language in general, numbers, morse code, traffic lights,
national flags)
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Types of Symbols
Figurative Symbols
- Fauna (animals)
- Plants
- Human form (whole or parts)
Objects, elements of nature (i.e., tools, sun, clouds, etc.)
Abstract Symbols
- Cross
- Signs symbolizing movement
- Overlapping, interweaving, knotting
- Sun signs
- Stars
- Geometric forms
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Samples of Symbol
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Assignment
3 Signages for Samurai / Ninja : Using the elements below
inversed use or substractive are allowed.
Sample
30 Mins.
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Assignment
3 Symbol represents : What students said......
45Mins.
