Reflections on Everyday Icons I see
I ask this question a lot when i work on user interfaces. To me, an icon is a symbol and a pattern that has a meaning. Nielson Norman Group talks about the importance of icons and how they communicate meaning by definition and visual representation of an object, action or idea.
As an architect I have a sense of empathy for every space I’m in and tend to observe the mundane things around me as well. I also now tend to notice symbols, signage, icons and patterns around me given my new love for experiential design. These Icons are everywhere. When you turn on your coffee machine, when you sit in your car, when you turn on your computer, when you pick up a remote control, these icons are everywhere. They are so powerful and effective in communicating concepts and information with and without words. These are like humans with gestures and it always makes me wonder how something so small can be so powerful in communicating.
Icons are deep rooted in society and we don’t seem to think twice about how we use them to operate daily. I think I tend to also make assumptions about some everyday things like the on and off button on appliances or switches on switchboards or throwing away cartons in recycling without ever second guessing.
Everyday Icons
I think the architect in me allowed me to notice and find icons around me at home.
Temperature control in a refrigerator:
This is a good example of icons that get paired up with text. Unique icons like this tend to get paired with text so its meaning can be conveyed to the user. By doing this, users are also able to understand what that dial is and how to use it without needing to look at a product.
Electric Stove Icon:
Typically the stoves have icons indicating the burner it is associated with. The hatched circles indicate the location of the burner in use. It’s a good example of how an icon that is standard in an industry becomes recognisable to users when operating all similar devices or appliances regardless of its brand.
Icons on an amazon box:
Ive noticed this icon on boxes with items that fragile items come in. These boxes will usually have at least two icons on them- one that will tell you how to dispose the items in the box and on that indicates how the box must be oriented (up) because the items are fragile. I find these two icons pretty self explanatory and the lack of text going with it is not confusing at all.
Icons need Labels
For me even thought here is lesser and lesser ambiguity in icons we see everyday, providing text labels to clarify what the icon is always helps. I notice this mostly in the digital space, where as in physical products we touch and use- they are mostly non existent. This is definitely something worth exploring and understanding as to why product designers don’t consider accessibility.
