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AIGA - American Institute of Graphic Arts: Symbol Signs

In a book published by the American Institute of Graphic Arts and titled Symbol Signs: The complete study of passenger/pedestrian-oriented symbols developed by The American Institute of Graphic Arts for the U.S. Department of Transportation, all relevant background information on this project can be found. Besides defining the relevant messages, an inventory of symbols found in 28 systems from all over the world was set up. The selection of the concepts to follow was based on an individual evaluation by an AIGA experts committee regarding three distinct dimensions, and group discussions to arrive at a joint decision. Then a D.O.T. advisory committee reviewed the recommendations and determined how to proceed. After AIGA examined these responses and some further decisions, Roger Cook and Don Shanosky developed the designs, which were reviewed and redrawn until consent was reached. The graphical symbols that evolved from this work can almost be seen as some kind of international standard, as they are being used all over the world.

Below a selection of pictograms of the AIGA study on symbol signs. Including two amendments the system now covers 55 referents.

Public Services, No 10: Stairs Public Services, No 9: Escalator Public Services, No 18: Information Public Services, No 14: Toilets Public Services, No 15: Nursery Orientation
in buildings
Public Services, No 20: Air Transportation, Airport Public Services, No 23: Bus Public Services, No 25: Rail Transportation, Trains Concessions, No 27: Car Rental Public Services, No 26: Water Transportation, Ships Transportation
Public Services, No 1: Telephone Public Services, No 2: Mail, Post Office Public Services, No 3: Currency Exchange, Bank Public Services, No 4: Cashier Public Services, No 6: Lost and Found Services
Processing Activities, No 36: Baggage Check-in and No 37: Baggage Claim Public Services, No 8: Baggage Lockers Cart Processing Activities, No 35: Ticket Purchase Processing Activities, No 38: Customs Baggage, Tickets, ...
Concessions, No 28: Restaurant Concessions, No 29: Coffee Shop, Snack Bar Concessions, No 30: Bar, Cocktails Concessions, No 31: Shops Concessions, No 32: Barber Shop, Beauty Salon Concessions
Regulations, No 42: Smoking Regulations, No 49: Fire Extinguisher Regulations, No 47: No Entry Regulations, No 48: Exit Public Services, No 5: First Aid Others

Copyright © AIGA - American Institute of Graphic Arts

The pictograms of this sign system are available on paper as well as in electronic format from the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) or the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers (SEGD) at a minimum price and free of copyright! However, registering these symbols as trademark or design can be a copyright infringement.

 

 

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