Introduction:

Visual representations (as graphical symbols) can be used effectively as a communicative interface where it concerns human interaction with a public facility; especially in matters of identifying and denoting the various functions (of a given public facility); and which constitute a part of environmental directional signage. It is always desirable that the communication of information issuing from these interfaces is not misleading or confusing; it should, on the other hand, be revealed as fast as possible. In other words the information must be communicated properly, efficiently and conveniently.

The use of visual representation seems appropriate for the above mentioned requirements. Apart from obviating the need for having to 'learn' any convention (except where the semiotic category of 'symbols' is being used as a representation), there is additionally the merit of accuracy of image-recognition and the speed of image processing - factors that definitively favour the case for visual representations (as against the use of texts) when used for the above purpose of communication . There are, however, limits to which visual representations can communicate a message conveniently. First of all, not all information that has to be communicated can be accurately represented by a representation. Secondly, the same representation could give rise to varying interpretations. A given representation could also change its meaning depending on the context in which it is being viewed. Further, in a pragmatic sense; the skill and accuracy required to reproduce a representation could lead to problems. However, in spite of the above handicaps posed by the use of visual representations, we still need to consider the felt-need for an alternative language that communicates adequately across language barriers and across illiteracy. We realise also that if one were to consider the advantages of visual representations, simultaneously keeping in mind their limitations, we could possibly use these attributes to critically define the characteristics of such a representation. Over and above, it is hardly necessary here to emphasize the overriding need for such a mode of communication to restrict itself in terms of a simplicity of visual statement, which allows its meaning to be conveyed in an easily identifiable way
.
Page 1   Page 3: