It was a profound step in history for human beings to transfer their thoughts into communicable mediums. During the prehistoric period, our ancestors interpreted what they saw and orally transmitted information in a written format that could be traced back to the beginning of 3200BC. Back in the early Bronze Age, around 3200BC in ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used hieroglyphics as formal writing. Egyptian hieroglyphics are usually identifiable as the terms most often used are figurative and symbolic. An Egyptian determinative does not represent sound, instead implying meaning and is one of the techniques used by ancient Egyptians in writing to help them read without any phonetics. Representation of a form or representation of an entity is often a direct means of communication.
Our sensation gives us a purpose to construct something through the process of learning and understanding. We begin to visualize sensations, and iterate on images to refine them. Through refining our images, they become symbols that communicate sensations in a clearer manner. If we can observe young generations as infants, we can easily figure out that, as ordinary human beings, we are born with the ability to feel. Even though children are unable to detect unknown threats, it is abundantly evident that they have high mental processing skills. For most people in the world, through our perceptions, we begin to embrace and conceive knowledge innately.
As seen in the image above, the image of the object reflects its meaning. Take the BOOKS app in the Apple system as an example, viewers or readers can easily understand the icon when it appears. These images or symbols are conveyed by the interpretation of objects and sensations around us. Hence, these objects and sensations can be illustrated to become symbols and icons.
Referring to the image above , I found it fascinating to see the same context behind different Egyptian hieroglyphics. The right image is easier to write than drawing the entire human body, like the left icon. However, they both represent force. People coming up with the right image are able to find a reasonably centered point, making it easier, and making it simpler. In addition, smart ancient Egyptians use the tools in their hand as a mark of authority. When most designers are creating icons, they display tools instead of actions like the search icon shown below in the BOOKS app. The magnifying glass icon is a representation of the search process.
Sensation plays an important role in observing, creating, imitating, and recording information in design. Nevertheless, throughout the growth and development of human history, we need to consider everyone’s needs. The written format and language are no longer limited to groups of people, similarly, designs will offer better service to all.
Good analysis – I especially like how you talk about the Egyptian showing the body with tools to imply action and how we currently use tools as metaphors for actions.
My opinion is the same as yours. The similarity with real objects will make it easy for users to understand what the icon wants to express.
I completely agree. We start to develop these critical understandings at an early age. That’s why iconography is so universal since we can gather simple shapes into their metaphor.