Design as Conversation: the Signs

“Design as a Conversation.” I interpreted this idiom as saying that design is the bridge between the creator and the viewers. Without verbal language, a design should tell the viewers the story that the designer wants to deliver. In other words, I believe that design is a very strong tool for people to communicate with each other over the society.

The designs I’ve found which apply the usage as conversation are the signs and icons that appear almost everywhere in our lives. The design of signs is essential because the functional purpose. There is no verbal exchange between the sign and the reader, but there is still conversation between the designers and the receivers. The road signs and the restrooms signs are good everyday examples.

First, the function and responsibly of the road signs are to let the passengers and cars know their direction and warn them of environmental conditions. The design is usually very simple, with basic but representative shape and form of an object. For instance, when there is road construction, the sign may portray a pile of rocks and a shovel. Or, the curved lines always appear on the signs when warning the driver of upcoming loops or winding roads. Furthermore, the color choice for the signs is also a important element. Red and yellow are often used because they are highlighting colors and stand out from the surround environment, easily attracting people’s attention. To create conversation, designers use very basic elements to send out the message of importance so that the receivers can easily comprehend what the sign is communicating, and respond to it. This action in between is a well applied interaction and conversation. Without verbal language, the designer has successfully organized a dialogue

Another very useful design which hosts a conversation is the restroom sign. Apparently, the restroom signs convey gender. The importance of the restroom signs is that it helps people across the country. Although some frequent travelers may speak or have learned more than one language, there are still people traveling among countries for work, business or other propose, who don’t know another language well. Consequently, the restroom signs in the airports, restaurants, hotels or other public places are play a very important role in directing people. Pointing out a very simple and clear message, it saves people time, words, and is very convenient to foreigners. At this point, design becomes a globalized communication tool, and has a vast impact.

The design of signs is part of iconography; it looks simple but requires much social knowledge and design skills; it uses very basic elements to build up a very powerful and convinced concept. This concept will become a non-verbal conversation between almost every single person who lives on the earth. By experiencing this application of icons and signs frequently, the conversation of design will be passed on and on.