In an application with many features, we might see various icons that represent different features. These simple and delicate representations help the users understand the purpose of the feature in different ways. Some icons use physical objects to make help users make associations, some icons visualize the content of the feature. However, these ways of conveying information through symbols have existed for tens of thousands of years.
Comparing early writing and modern iconography, there are many similarities between these two expressions, which means the modern iconography could be an evolution to the early writings, just like what Von Petzinger believes that “early system of communication through abstract signs as a precursor to the ‘global network of information exchange’ in the modern world.”
The Light Icon
In Adobe Lightroom mobile app, the light icon is used to adjust the lighting of the image. From looking at the icon, the symbol of the sun helps the users able to identify the feature easily. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the symbol of the sun also shares the meaning of light. Since the sun is the largest light source from ancient times to the present, the sun is a common metaphor for light. Although the light icon in Lightroom stands for lighting functions of pictures, the message that both Egyptian hieroglyphics and modern iconography want to convey is “light”.
The Auto icon
Without looking at the icon, the user might get confused with the feature by just looking at the text “Auto”. But from looking at the icon, we can guess the feature might be beautifying the picture since it consists of a picture and stars. In Sumerian cuneiform, the symbol of the star also means shine, which is similar to the interpretation of “beautifying”. Compared to the other two writings, there are “multiple stars” in Sumerian cuneiform, which can tell why we relate to “beautify” or “shine” when we see many stars.
In summary, it is interesting to compare two expressions from different time periods. When I was comparing the symbols, I realize human understanding and learning ability on iconography. Furthermore, a small icon can express more than a word. Like the Auto icon, sometimes image expression can better convey meaning than the text, also saving screen real estate. Learning the history of iconography made me see the power of UI/UX design.
Source: 40,000-Year-Old Symbols Found in Caves Worldwide May Be the Earliest Written Language
