This image is a pictograph of the instructions for the use of a hand-dryer that I found in a bathroom. If you want your hands dried after washing them, it shows that you need to push the button and warm air will dry your hands. This past week we've been discussing and reading about hieroglyphics, pictographs, and the early forms of communication and these instructions are similar to them. On the first day we say pictures of cave drawings that were essentially instructions for hunting. They showed where to put your spear to take down a certain animal. These instructions made me think of those cave drawings, only they are just showing you where to put your hands to dry them. I chose this image because they reminded me of those drawings and also just the fact that it's something that is used often. As far as the design goes, it isn't really attractive, but I feel that it gets the idea across that pushing the button will turn on the dryer and the air coming out will be warm by the red waves coming down on the hands. It's not pretty, but it's functional.
Every time I look at those hand dryers I think of the Facebook bumper sticker that says bacon dispenser. But I do think that it is a good image of simple drawings showing the public how to use the device. Even though the hands are just floating in mid air.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that color helps identify the meaning of this message. If the 'air waves' were black would the meaning of the message be interpreted in the same way?
ReplyDeleteI think that if this image was on something else, there could be a completely different meaning. It's funny how red squiggly things are intended to mean warm air. What would happen if you push the button and a dragon pops out, blowing fire in your face? Never know I guess,.. just stick to paper towels if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly correct when you said that this isn't pretty, but it's functional. Like the golden rule- function before form. I would be pretty pissed off (no pun intended) if it took me an half hour to 'read' an elaborate pictograph message describing how to dry my hands. Maybe the hands could be more natural looking instead of screaming 'hey i just used the pen tool to outline these hands!' but we all get the point.
I agree that the pictographs work well in communicating. The red works because it represents heat. The elementary pictures are simple, yet they do hold important meaning for the public. They remind me of petroglyphs.
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