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apa:: The American Institute of Graphic Arts. (1975). The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities. _Visible Language_, _IX_(2), 173–185.
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# The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities
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The American Institute of Graphic Arts. (1975). The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities. _Visible Language_, _IX_(2), 173–185.
^apa
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## Metadata
title: The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities
author:: The American Institute of Graphic Arts
cite-key:: aiga1975DevelopmentPassengerPedestrian
date_published:: Spring 1975
Type:
keywords::
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## Notes
- The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) worked with U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Facilitation (DOT) to create a standardized inventory of symbols, focused on transportation and large international events.
- The AIGA committee:
> "The committee was composed of Thomas H. Geismar (chairman), Seymour Chwast, Rudolph deHarak, John Lees, Massimo Vignelli." ([The American Institute of Graphic Arts 1975:174](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/VSULMMAT?page=2))
- The study found that the effectiveness of symbols is limited. Concepts that can be related to a tangible object are most effective, but concepts that are related to a process or activity are less effective.
- Symbols need to be considered as a part of a larger information design system to be effective, described as “an intelligent total sign system.”
- Visual hierarchy needs to be applied to symbol systems to reduce the cognitive load. It is worse to over-message than under-message. [[Less is more|Less is more.]]