SIGN TYPES
NUTRITION FACTS LABEL: INDEX + SYMBOL
The nutrition facts label is indexical . The label is communicating to the user the actual contents of the food, specifically to the food within its package. Additionally, the structure of the label itself is essentially a small index. It is an index of the breakdown of different nutrient facts specific to the food within the package. The index contains information like Calories, Fats, Cholesterol, Sugars, Carbohydrates, Fibers, Proteins, Vitamins and more. The label also highlights elements of the food that are not directly reflective from looking at the food itself. To further the idea, more symbolic elements can be found within this label through the words used to describe the different elements we call “Nutrients.”
HANDICAP LOGO: SYMBOL + ICON
The handicap logo could be both symbolic and iconic. Iconically, the handicap logo is connected to the idea of disability through its depiction of a person in a wheelchair. Symbolically, we have learned to associate this icon with those who have disabilities or areas of restricted use. The repetition of this sign creates a learned association towards the symbol being reflective of it being areas only for those who possess the icon. Iconically the logo is perceived as a figure in a wheelchair. This chosen quality used to depict the icon is not reflective of the current definition to which we define one with a disability/disabilities. This icon has established an assumption for our society that in order to be disabled, you need to be wheelchair bound or unable to walk. While it can be viewed as symbolic and iconic, and technically the icon helped establish the symbolic qualities, the icon can be derogatory and unreflective of the logo’s true nature.
STOVETOP TEMP. CONTROL: SYMBOL + ICON
I found the stovetop temperature control to be symbolic. The dots, numbers and words “Hi” and Lo” are symbolic of different levels of heat. Using “lo” and “hi” as our heat extremes, symbolic of the words low and high, the numbers and dots in between are symbolic of heat levels varying heat levels. One would assume the 1 and 10 were replaced with “Lo” and “Hi” since numbers 1-10 have no correlation to heat. Additionally the temperature control knobs are symbolic to us via convention. Using an oven is a learned or self taught behavior, maybe a little of both. Ovens vary in design, so one user may not be as familiar with this particular interface as they would be with their own personal one. Small icons of the stovetop are depicted to help the user identify which control adjusts which burner. The dual burner uses a icon with one circle and then another with two, to determine which side of the knob associates to which burner.
