Cloakroom

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Checkroom, Coat Check, Coatroom, Wardrobe, Garderobe

Category

Public Facilities, General Information

Message / Function

To indicate the location of facilities, where coats, bags, and and other personal things can be left temporarily

	Source	Description
	Tern	Coat hanger, bag and hat
	CNIS	Coat hanger, bag and hat
	ISO 7001	Coat hanger, bag and hat
	Eco-Mo Foundation	Coat hanger and bag
	EJP	Coat hanger and case
	X'67	Coat hanger on rail
	Erco	Coat hanger
	WO'72	Coat hanger
	O'64	Coat hanger
	PC	Coat hanger
	AIGA	Coat hanger
	Carbon	Coat hanger
	CGN	Coat hanger
	BS 8501:2002	Coat hanger
	UIC	Coat hanger
	TCRP	Coat hanger
	DB 2017	Coat hanger

Discussion

The collection above indicates that there seems to exist a clear visual stereotype for the message Cloakroom or Checkroom: a coat hanger. In several pictogram systems one or two elements were added to avoid confusions with Dressing / Change Room, but care has to be taken to get to close to the image content of the referent Lost and Found. In addition the AIGA Symbol Signs Committee also proposed that the hook should face to the right to avoid confusions with a question mark.

In our research we discovered that there is only very limited test data available:

In a Japanese study to propose domestically unified graphical symbols based on scientific methods, the pictogram variant labeled as Eco-Mo Foundation proved to be well comprehensible with a comprehension score of 74.0 (Eco-Mo Foundation, 2001).

Recommendations

AIGA Symbol Sign No 7: Coat Check

As handbags often are not left at the wardrobe, we recommend using a pictogram similar to the version proposed by AIGA.

Furthermore we recommend comparing this variant on basis of a Comprehension Test with pictograms showing a characteristic hanger as used in a checkroom and add additional elements like a hat or a bag differing from typical women's handbags to clarify this subject and support or correct this recommendation.

Tests of pictograms of referent Cloakroom, Checkroom, Coat Check

Eco-Mo Foundation (2001): Test data of public information symbols in Japan - Procedure for the testing of public information symbols by the Study Committee. ISO: ISO/TC 145/SC 1 N 329.