ISOtype and Pictograms

ISO- International Organization for Standardization
http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm

ISOtype is a term that is used to describe a set of graphics or visual elements that do not need words.  Any street signs you see with those funny looking people with circular heads are ISOtype.  They are a standard system used to convey meaning without reading.  The real question is, are we conditioned to know that this means "pedestrians" because we are accustomed to seeing this visual or is it really a universal symbol?

The user does not want to think, only to understand.


A really great example of international communication design are the Olympic Pictograms.  Since nearly the beginning of the Modern Olympics pictograms have been used to signify the different athletic events.  I was lucky enough to go to the Olympics Museum in Laussanne, Switzerland, where the Olympic Headquarters is stationed.  I also did a project on the pictograms in a design class 2 years ago.

The pictograms are first, communicated to hundreds of language using strictly abstract human graphics.  And second, very unique to each olympics.  There are a team of designers who make the pictograms their own for that cities hosting of the olympics.

For more information go to:  http://en.beijing2008.cn/63/32/column212033263.shtml