Icon, Index, & Symbol

Group: Jen Rogers, Jen Pearce, Anne Hornung

Icons, indices, and symbols are various kinds of signs though they are often confused or used interchangeably. The following examples should help clarify the differences among them.

Icon –

This is an icon because it is a recognized visual representation of a gas pump. The pictorial representation is directly related to the concept.

Works for Icon since it is universally recognized as sign of Los Angeles and movie making.

The danger: electricity sign is an icon because the visuals are clearly demonstrating a universal warning to beware of electrical consequences.

Index -

This is an index because it is providing information for the viewer. In this case, the viewer would come to the conclusion that the escalator is to the right.

Works for index example because definitely shows meaning through illustration.

This duck crossing sign is an example of an index because it is informing the viewer to be aware of the potential presence of ducks and ducklings. It can be assumed that the driver should try and avoid them, even though it does not directly say so on the sign.

Symbol -

The swastika is a symbol because its visual form is not a logical, direct representation of what it stands for. The swastika has cultural significance and experience has taught people to associate it with racist German Nazis and WWII.

This works for symbol example as it does not have a direct logical connection to what it represents but has been learned as luck, Irish, St. Patricks Day, etc.

The rainbow is a symbol of gay pride. Rainbows have nothing to do with homosexuality, but the image has become associated with it.

(All images are linked to their source)

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