No Smoking Sign

 

This sign is universally recognized as a no-smoking sign. It is displayed in areas where smoking is prohibited. The design of this sign allows viewers to distinctly understanding that smoking is not allowed, regardless of what language they speak or what country they are in.

The sign is aligned so that the cigarette is in the middle of the sign, and a circle with  a slash is centered around the cigarette. This draws the eye immediately to the cigarette. The sign is in the shape of a vertical rectangle which is typical of most signs. It allows adequate room to display the sign's message. The sign also has balance, where the picture is equally distributed on the sign. 

The color scheme of the no-smoking sign is a simple, eye-catching scheme of red, black, and white. The black and white are neutral colors and red is a bright primary color. The use of a white background allows the attention of the viewer to focus on the red circle and the black cigarette. The color red often signifies danger or a warning and lets the viewer know not to smoke.

The sign is arranged so that there is a flame just above the end of the cigarette, indicating it is lit. The end of the cigarette is typically to the left, and the lit part of it is normally to the right. This allows for consistency from sign to sign. The sign uses a directional to indicate the picture beneath it is not allowed. This directional is the slash moving from the top left of the circle to the bottom right of the circle.

Visual Literacy with speed limits sign

Speed Limit signs shape are rectangles.The layout of the sign is as the following. The speed limit is the middle of the sign so that it's easy to read.

The colors are important. They use black and white. They outline the sign with black and the words and number is black. They fill in the rest with white so that it can be read. The arrangement of the sign is that it is vertical so that when people read the sign its easier to read that if it was horizontal.

Why is Consistency Important?

Consistency is when something is used or viewed the same way by many different people. This is important because it creates a common understanding among people in different environments. For example view the signs below:

Even though each sign is found in a different country and written in a different language, they are all understood to mean stop. We know that they mean stop because of the octagonal shape and red and white color. This demonstrates how important consistency is around the world. It allows people to go to other countries and travel safely because they can recognize the meaning of the sign and avoid traffic issues.

What is Visual Literacy?

Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. It is based on the idea that pictures can be "read" and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading.

This is a common example of visual literacy in our lives. Whenever people see this sign it is understood that we should watch for pedestrians crossing the street. The color yellow is understood to indicate caution and to slow down because it is predominately used in traffic lights. It is a bright color that immediately attracts the attention of the observer which allows the sign's message to be noticed easier.

There are a couple different components that make up visual literacy.

•  Layout: This is composed of alignment, shape, and balance. 
• Alignment is the adjustment of an object in relation to other objects. 
• Shape is a geometrical description of the part of that space occupied by the object.
• Balance is a state of equilibrium or equal poise; equal distribution of weight or amount.
• Color: This is composed of color schemes, color wheel, and color appeal/meaning.
• Color scheme is a planned combination of colors. 
• A color wheel is a circular diagram in which primary and usually intermediate colors are arranged sequentially, so that related colors are next to each other and complementary colors are opposite. 
• Color appeal/meaning is used to create a design that is aesthetically pleasing and catches the attention of the viewer. 
• Arrangement: This is composed of proximity and directionals.
• Proximity is nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.
• Directionals are aimed at indicating a specific direction and providing guidance.