Market

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Mart, Marketplace, Market Place, Street Market, Farmers' Market, Produce Market, Producer Market, Bazaar, Souk

Category

Commercial Facilities, Concessions, Travel

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of a market or marketplace

	Source	Description
	BTA 1989	Parallel projection of market stall with striped roof extended as awning with scalloped edge flounce
	BS 8501:2002	Parallel projection of market stall with table and striped sunblind
	Avanti PUM	Frontal view of market stall with scalloped edge flounce, apple and fish displayed
	DER	Two human figures at market stall with scalloped edge flounce
	Parks Canada	Horizontal line below frontal view of upper part of human figure plus basket with apple, below scalloped edge flounce
	Ecuador	Frontal view of human figure standing next to market stall, both under parasol
	Bolivia	Two market stalls, each with human figure and below parasol
	Stadt Wien	Side view of parasol in outline, leaf below
	SADC	Two apples in front of water melon or pumpkin, cut citrus fruit on top behind
	France IISR	Side view of basket with several products
	Stadt Wien	Side view of parasol
	Stadt Wien	Side view of parasol in outline

Discussion

While no single visual stereotype can be found, one specific detail is part of many pictograms: some kind of element, like an awning with scalloped edge flounce or a parasol with a display below, representing a typical market stall. While a few renderings show just an empty market stall, others have a noticeable focus on products sold and some just present these or a basket with some products. Using renderings of a parasol, as shown at the bottom of the table above, seems not to be the best choice, as such renderings are also used to indicate the location of a Beach in some regions.

We could not find any specific test data concerning graphic symbols for Market in our database, but there is some information concerning comprehensibility of one pictogram available: since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-2-010: Marketplace displayed above must have reached a comprehension rate of 80 % or higher, as this variant does not have the status Retired and does not have to be accompanied by a supportive text message.

Recommendations

Due to the fact that almost no data concerning comprehensibility of pictogram variants is available, we recommend to collect more pictograms, and to conduct research using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending one or several pictograms. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs.

Tests of pictograms of referent Market

Parks Canada (2007): Parks Canada Identity Program: Exterior Signage; Standards and Guidelines - Version 1. March 2007.