Study Task 2 - Objective Symbols for Subjective Words

Making the subjective word an objective symbol

Obscure

Definitions

-        Not discovered or known about, uncertain

-        Not clearly expressed or easily understood

-        Keep from being seen, conceal

Mark making exploring overlapping lines which would block and obscure what is beneath. Using the idea of redaction, I took this further and explored the idea of blacking out sections which would completely conceal content. Something that is obscure is more intensely questioned, this idea is reflected in the manipulation and reflection of the ‘?’ symbol. Using scales to reflect the idea of weighing something up and being uncertain, however trying to come to a conclusion. A square acts as a boundary, which provides protection (Frutiger). When combined with an element inside, such as a dot this creates the impression of a ‘hidden’ element which we can see.

‘Q’ is unlike any other letter in the alphabet and has a formation which is quite unique which I thought made it an obscure letter to experiment with through cutting and rearranging. Negative space ‘hides’ part of the letter distorting its appearance. Frutiger said that a ‘x’ acts as a barrier, this I think could also apply to a diagonal line. By using a diagonal line through the centre of a circle, which acts as a holder of space, this creates the idea of the diagonal line concealing the space behind it. By creating long extensions on both the top and bottom of the ‘Q’, it has created quite a wide symbol which would stand out when compared with other glyphs and when used in conjunction with text, making it obscure and distinct.

By adding another extension to the ‘Q’ it has begun to look like a capital ‘R’ meaning it is a morph between two letters and therefore making it less clear as to what it is. By fracturing the circular elements within the ‘Q’ by making them more square and arranging them so they are off centre, this I think gives a harsher feel to the form whilst creating disturbance visually. These could also function as brackets, perhaps for interesting or obscure information. The outer lines on the third symbol highlight the inner shape and create a sense of movement around it. This is supposed to reflect a small movement which looks tentative and uncertain.

Symbol exploring the idea of elements falling. The angle of the ‘surface’ and the curved form of the elements create uncertainty as to how they will react when they ‘hit’ the line.

Further development of symbols 

The use of Adobe Patterns meant I could use my initial marks and symbols to create more symmetrical signs which could be developed digitally. From the images created through this process I was able to image trace the results and manipulate these, as well as use the pen tool to manually draw around interesting aspects making more precise designs.

An off centre dot within a space creates disturbance (Hoffman).

To reflect the sense of escape in the symbol, the colour green was used because of its association with fire exits and movement. By making the angle so it was lower than 20 degrees, this made it sharper, evoking a sense of danger (Frutiger). This creates a sense of warning and urgency which would encourage people to move quicker. By adding an extension to make it an arrow this increases the importance of moving in the direction.

Triangles are used as directional signs on the horizontal (Frutiger). In this design two triangles point in on themselves which creates confusion making the sign obscure.

Angled edges further enhance the sense of movement and direction and create a flowing transition from the ‘space’ into the outside ‘space’. This creates a more flowing and dynamic feeling of movement from one place to the next.

The symbol is impactful and bold which creates a sense of importance and alarm. The use of red and yellow combined with black create a sense of danger. By placing a square on its corner this creates alarm in the viewer (Frutiger). By placing my symbol within it this amplifies the sense of anxiety for the viewer. A dot radiates most when in the centre of a space (Hoffman). By replacing the dot with the symbol, could this work in the same way? An off-centre symbol creates disturbance for the viewer and creates a feeling of anxiety.

The symbol has a cloud like appearance, this is further emphasised when it is put centrally inside a space, making it look like it is floating. The use of a thin line makes it look light and the choice of white on black means it will hold itself on the background (Hoffman). However, the use of such a thin line means it is not completely clear or defined and looks quite delicate, creating the feeling of an uncertain presence.

The ‘x’s’ in this design are thick and sharply angled creating an aggressive feeling. A fire like appearance is created by the red and yellow outlines creating a feeling of anxiety and danger.

The combination of red and black create a warning sign evoking a sense of danger . The use of triangle on its apex creates an active feeling which makes the viewer take notice. By placing the symbol off centre this creates a disruptive feeling for the viewer.

The use of thin lines makes the symbol less noticeable and makes the viewer look closer to understand it creating an obscure sign.