DESIGN ASSIGNMENTS:
SYMBOLIC & NON-SYMBOLIC COMMUNICATION, LAYERS OF MEANING

PLAY WITHOUT WORDS

Create signage for a playground using only symbols, no words. You'll need to make a sign for each of these conditions:

• This playground has a gate that automatically locks when it gets dark, that is, when night falls.
• There is a girls' bathroom and a boys' bathroom.
• There is a high, spiral slide that only kids over 2 ft. tall can use.
• No food is allowed in the playground.
• No dogs are allowed on the swings.
• No jumping is allowed off the Pirates' Tower.
• You turn on the water fountain by pressing a metal bar.

To be understood by kids, the symbols must be simple. You may only use 2 colors on a third color background. (White is a color too.)

CUSTOM CALLING

Create a cell phone specifically designed for a particular person. The phone should have no words on it, only symbols.

All elements of the design should be tailored to that person's career, favorite past time, or current ID, i.e. new mom, baseball fan, clown, florist, ice cream lover, film director, artist, fisherman, etc. You can choose one or think of another.

Your phone must have at least:

• a readout screen
• a set of numbers
• power on / off
• send / receive
• 3 speed call buttons (fireman would have dispatcher, new mom would have baby sitter)

The customizing can include:

1. shape of the phone
2. shape of screen
3. shape of buttons
4. patterns and textures of all elements
5. symbols used for all non-numerical functions

The customizing creates layers of meaning to endear the device to its owner.

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