An Exposition to Undergraduate Graphic Design Students Via the Pictogram Project

Abstract

It can be said that, using the same language for everyone on earth is a big dream to witness. But from an angle, graphic design is partially making this dream come through. The best way to perceive all the things around is visuality, which has a big role on the relationship between human and outer world. Before we speak, we communicate with viewing. Graphic design is visualizing language of concepts. As graphic designers, we are speaking with concepts and dealing with symbols. In general, it helps to communicate without using the verbal language. This is what called picture writing or pictogram in graphic design language, mainly used to communicate in visual language. The most important point about pictograms are, they are universal and thus, they break the boundaries of verbal language. At this frame within the graphic design project course, for sixth semester students designing a serial of pictogram project was given. At the first step of the project the students are supposed to choose a subject and try to find the answer of "What do I have to say with my project?" As they are looking for the answers, a detailed investigation and search about the subject matter is done. At this step the concepts about the source of the massage and content about the subject are defined. By this way students are loaded with information about the topic and become ready to the next step. Next step is about visualizing defined and chosen concepts. So that the question "How do I have to say my massage in my project?" is answered by that way. The aim of this project is to develop student's ability of loading messages to visuals. Meanwhile semiology, usage of signs and symbols, and the interaction between them are examined.