Following the guidance and searching through articles here are some well known symbols and visual metaphors that are easily recognisable:-
This was designed by an Art and Design student in April 1970 as a sponsored contest for the first Earth Day. I thought I would start with this symbol as Earth Day 2020 is celebrated this week (22nd April).
Keeping with conservation theme the oak leaf symbol of the National Trust and Woodland Trust. Once the visual metaphor is well established it is adapted into various colours and themes .
Not all metaphors are new. Some have been part of culture throughout the centuries This especially applies to religious symbols of the Christian cross and fish. The dove representing peace perhaps appears modernised:-
Charities have developed many visual metaphors to support others in their concerns:-
Above is the pink ribbon (1979) for breast cancer awareness. The access symbol in blue (although not a charity is included here ) designed by a Danish student (1968). The green and white emergency exit sign is seen in most public buildings (1970’s Japanese designer).
Metaphors are sometimes used by other organisations eg. the pink ribbon has since been reproduced in other colours to represent other causes.
A further charity metaphor that comes to mind is the Red nose for comic relief (1985).
Most people would also acknowledge the Red poppy for Remembrance (Royal British Legion).
Above is the Royal mail crown and British lion. Coat of arms go back centuries and hallmarks can be considered synonymous with visual metaphors. Perhaps Country flags can be included. Here is the three legged Isle of Man:-
The highway code is almost a complete booklet of visual metaphors. As I started this exploration with a “green” theme, it seems appropriate to complete it with the sign for electric vehicle recharging points. These no doubt will become more visible in the next few years. And I just had to include the Michelin man (tyres) :-
I have never really thought about the nationality of the designers for many of the visual metaphors I am familiar with. So it is a surprise to discover the exit sign is a Japanese design and the access sign, Danish. It is a reminder of how global and inclusive this visual language is and how they are part of everyday life. They are clear and helpful to relate to.
The only difficulty I have is identifying what is a symbol, emblem, logo, brand identity, code, trademark, icon etc. however on reflection these can be interchangeable.
Thinking from a global perspective I am now choosing from the given phrases to create a drawn visual list of objects and subjects which could be used to symbolise them. Currently in 2020 there is a great deal of economic uncertainty so I am choosing “Economic catastrophe” .
To help with this process as advised I make a spider diagram around the phrase to generate other words which will bring visual connotations:-
The visual metaphors above which I have generated give indication of “economic catastrophe” eg downward trends, premises to let and closing down. Unsold signs and dole queues. I thought it would be interesting to represent the people as forms of question marks to represent their confusion in a situation where their plans are being interrupted and their future changed or uncertain.
The theme is all about “down” and “loss”, so I think about dropping, falling and “down the spout”, and “down the grid” and draw a pump where finances are being pumped into the economy only to fall down a grid:-
There are also popped balloons and a leaky bucket and pension pouch. A broken piggy bank might also be a good visual metaphor however I think this would be very customary so decide to leave it out.
However I now follow Axel Scheffler’s example and complete this exercise on a positive note: Despite the present pandemic the hope is that the furlough support provided during lockdown will give the country the ability to recovery more quickly than it otherwise would.
These are very difficult times for employers and employees.
However here is a smiley face symbol and the hope of “better times to come”:-
References: google searches
Further information (following coursework feedback) :-
As recommended re-visiting selected metaphors in black and white imagery is in keeping with producing meanings in imagery that are recognisable without use of words.
The bucket and pump are chosen. A tap could substitute the pump however a pump can push out more volumne that a tap and so represents economy on a larger scale.
The first stage is to draw outlines of the tap and bucket metaphors:-
And then the bucket:-
This reminds of the song “There’s a hole in my bucket” where two characters Henry and Liza struggle with a problem to solve. I discovered on looking this up on google that the Song Writers, Flanders & Swann wrote an imitation version “There’s hole in my budget” referring to the British budget deficit !
The pound symbols from the pump are drawn as water droplets.
These two images were meant to be the finished however once seen side by side, it is possible to see how they link up and it is satisfying to resolve them into one image:-
The coins instead of placed gushing out of the tap are in an individual line like a dripping tap .
Throughout history wars have caused economic recession and borrowing and the pandemic is certainly a type of battle at a time of technological revolution. Great crisis brings uncertainly and often painful loss however also allows for great change and that is where the hope is to take learning through change into the future.
Adelaide Art 