Logos, Icons and Descriptive Graphics

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Logos, Icons and Descriptive Graphics

• Jessica Kubik
• 385E Information Architecture and Design I
• October 12, 2004

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A Brief History

• Symbols are the most enduring form of written
  communication, whether phonetic or ideographic.
• They are part of what is known as Iconography.
• Iconography goes back to the Stone Ages, as early
  as 35,000 BC.

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Logos

• A combination of characters and/or graphics
  creating a design used to identify a company.
• Used as identifiers, whether it is inside/outside
  of a building, in ads, or more recently found on
  the web.

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Logo implications

• A logo signifies the image of a company.
• Often placed in the upper left-hand corner of a
  web page.
• Usually a link.

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Examples of Logos
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Icons

• Icon comes from the Greek work Eikon, which means
  an image.
• Communicate across languages and cultures.

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Two categories of Icons

• Symbols associated with objects, where the visual
  image is preserved.
• Symbols which once had visual associations that
  have since vanished and now represent syllables
  or ideas.

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Icon implementations

• They can successfully compliment textual labels.
• A familiar icon is processed more quickly and
  easily than a text link.

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Disadvantages of Symbols and Icons

• Can be more limited than text.
• Sometimes can be ambiguous.
• Avoid using icons for complex ideas.

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Ambiguous icons
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Descriptive Graphics

• Maps
• Buttons
• Thumbnails
• Browser icons

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Maps combine use of logos and icons
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Interactive Maps
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Conclusion

• In conclusion, logos, icons and descriptive
  graphics can be very helpful in conveying the
  message you want to get out.
• Avoid ambiguous symbols and complex ideas.
• Take advantage of using them in designbecause
  they are graphic, they can make a website more
  appealing.