OUGD405 - Symbol Development (including critique)

Having received feedback via critique that featuring symbols on the Pedestrian Crossing leaflet would enhance the design identity and provide greater balance between information and visuals, I set out to sketch the symbols using a layout pad.

Required Symbols: 

• Pedestrian - representative of pedestrians
• Large and Small pedestrian - School crossing
• Steering wheel - representative of motorists
• Bicycle - Potentially for Toucan crossing alongside pedestrian 
• Horse - Pegasus crossing
• Pelican - bird used in reference to crossing
• Puffin - bird used in reference to crossing
• Toucan - bird used in reference to crossing

My aim/objective is to design effectively simple, cohesive and relevant symbols that will work in unity with the plans for the overarching visual language of the leaflet whilst providing visual information from which the target can create and establish memorable connections to each crossing. 

Step One

Firstly, on a layout pad, using a pencil I drew out basic representations of each required symbol, including a more dynamic-look pedestrian. 

Step Two

On a new layer, I carefully traced and filled all black information before scanning in to Adobe illustrator and creating vector shapes of each symbol.

Step Three

With vector shapes created, I then tided any edges and (where appropriate) applied colour; Colour was necessary in signifying each representative bird. Cohesion is ensured via the use of previously selected colours/tones/shades - White, Pantone Process Black C and Pantone Yellow C. I also used the existing pedestrian shape, duplicated, rescaled and then merged to produce my own version of a school sign.

Step Four - Critique

With a range of representative symbols now in my design arsenal, I looked for feedback on the designs. This follows:

What are your thoughts on these symbols, are they successful and why?

• The limited colour palette gives consistency to the symbols so you can tell they are a set.
• They're effective because they aren't complex. Just simple shapes and lines.
• Even though they're similar, they're different enough to clearly show each crossing singularly.

Can you identify each bird individually? First a simple yes or no until everyone has answered, followed by explanation.

Yes or No

• No
• Yes I think so
• Yes

Explanation

• I knew they were all birds and related to the crossings but I didn't know which was which. Thats why its good that you're having them on the leaflet, because it will teach people who don't know and help them make the connection.
• I think the small white one is the Pelican, the long-beaked one is the Toucan and the small-beaked one is a Puffin.
• Yes, thats right.

Are they any suggestions on improvements for the symbols?

• I think the shapes/sizes of the symbols are too different, they need outlines.
• Try putting each symbol into a circle so they're more cohesive and uniform.
• Definitely need to be in circles.

Step Five

After receiving the above feedback, I put each of the representing symbols into yellow circles for a vibrant surround that maintained cohesion whilst ensuring the symbols were easily seen, making them ready for integration into the established visual language.

Top row from left to right: Zebra, Pegasus, School.
Bottom row from left to right: Pelican, Puffin, Toucan.