Assignment 03
Signs & Symbols

A system is a series of decisions that creates a complex pattern of relations. As graphic designers, we can rely on a system to create consistency across form, meaning and message.
Create an icon set for the concepts “Start” and “Stop”. Your icons should be designed on a 10×10px grid and scale up to 20x20px grid in their final form. These icons should share common stylistic attributes and feel like a family.

1. Start
Begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space.
(of event or process) happen or come into being.

2. Stop
Cease to happen.
Cause (an action, process, or event) to come to an end.

Materials
Pencil
Sharpie
2 copies of Icon PDF


Instructions
Round 1, 30 minutes (Concept & Symbol): Sketch 30 versions of each concept on a 10x10 grid. Try to vary your icons symbols so no two are alike. Consider how these two icons can work together to illustrate the concept (or, their visual syntax). Use the grid as a guideline to create consistency with scale and spacing. Consider thinking of the grid as binary: Is the pixel on (filled), or off (empty).

Hang work, 5 minutes. Crit, 15 minutes.

Round 2, 60 minutes (Style & System): Choose one set that is working best and design your icons on a 20x20 grid. Create a consistent scale and style across your set. In devising the system, you will be responsible for setting your own logic for a complex pattern of relations. This could be as simple as using rounded corners, or as complex as using strokes, fills, gradations (or half pixels), etc.

Hang work, 5 minutes. Crit, 30 minutes.


Learning Outcomes
1. Introduction to grid
2. Introduction to concept
3. Introduction to form
4. Introduction to system
5. Introduction to style



Background
Icons are different than letterforms. An alphabet is a writing system where glyphs stand for sounds in a spoken language. Understand that icons represent something less abstract as a glyph, they have inhernt meaning. In class we discussed the fundamentals of icon design. We will use these terms to evaluate your icons.

Concept—A concept is an abstract idea representing the type and fundamental characteristics of some set of objects. In terms of graphic iconography the concept is what you need to communicate to the user.

Symbol—A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship.

Style—Style is considered the visual details in which an icon is rendered. This can be fill style, line weight, round corners, color, size, etc.

System—A system is the consistent details that carry from one icon to the next. How are the stylistic details executed across the set, and what is the underlying grid or scale relationship the icons follow.









1. Full Icon Set for Cisco by Iconwerk Link
2. Material Design Icon Grid Link
3. How to Design an Icon Set: Simple Checklist for Graphic Designers Link

This has been adapted from an assignment given by David Reinfurt at Princeton University. Thank you.