Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Iconcity
jewelry, or craft objects, we can see some common
features characteristic for these products' design
- we look for iconcity of these products. Iconcity
of a complicated product or its detail may help
memorize and learn how to use this product. We
may discuss the iconicity of the design products,
such as furniture or appliances. We may analyze:
Designing commercial or public display, such
as billboards, posters, or placards involves the
use of signs, symbols, and icons, is collectively
called signage. A designer looks for visual short-
cuts that are powerful and effective. In semiotic
terms, iconcity is meant as powerful icons; hence
a notion of scissorness. For example, a designer
may look for an icon showing the essence of the
meaning related to scissors. Iconic references
may refer to the product's own form, color, mate-
rial, the metaphorical likeness to another form,
its stylistic belonging to similar forms (such as
period styles, fashion styles, and role models),
and the product's belonging to a special envi-
ronment (kitchen, office). Iconicity in product
design may relate to a whole object or its details,
with possible features such as naive simplicity,
high-tech qualities, decorativeness, or designer's
subjectivity (Vihma, 1992). Design with powerful
icons can help memory and the learning of using
complicated products.
See Figure 1 for examples of iconic objects.
It we try to redesign the shape of scissors and
still produce an ergonomic tool intended to provide
comfort without stress or injury, we may end up
going back to its original shape in order to avoid
blisters. When we look at some items of ceramics,
• What are the product's own form, color,
and material?
• Does it have a metaphorical likeness to
other form: does it 'pretend' to be some-
thing else?
• What style does it have (period style, com-
pany's or designer's style)?
•
Can we see that this product belongs to a
special environment (such as kitchen or
office)?
These ideas have been adopted in product
design. For example, in the Apple company en-
sures that the design of the connectors does not
allow to plug them in the wrong way. Ecology
and preservation ideas are also included in the
design concepts. For example, keyboards for Mac
computers are often made from the material that
was cutout from the monitor to make an opening
for a screen.
Figure 1. Examples of iconic objects (© 2012, photographed by A. Ursyn. Used with permission)
