OUGD501: Context of Practice 2 - Practical (Primary Research Symbols)

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Signs and Symbols:

Whilst out and about in Leeds I have been taking photos of the different signs and symbols used to represent something and direct people to amenities. I wanted to do this to look at the similarities and differences between each symbol. 

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M&S

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Wagamama:

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The Light Car Park:

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Mijas Car Park - Spain, Malaga. August 2013.

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Tesco

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Leeds College of Art

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Mrs Athas Leeds

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I have found that all symbols are different depending on the place their are. For example, the M&S toilet signs are much more detailed than any other symbol, I think that this is a reflection on the target audience who will be looking at the sign. The specific placement of the sign was a toilet with a joint baby change unit in the children's section of M&S, a contrast is the symbol on the door of the toilet in the women's department, this is a clear example of how a symbol is changed depending on who will be viewing it. 

Mrs Athas cafe does not use a symbol to represent the different toilets, they use old photographs as their target audience would probably engage more with it. The car parks are very interesting because they use the same symbols, this is interesting because they are both several hundred miles away from each other, this links to Otto Neurath's plan to develop a global language that will be recognised internationally.