Zeichensysteme der visuellen Kommunikation

This book aims to illustrate a modern and universal system of graphic symbols, icons, and marks that can be understood by all. And to prove it, the text is printed in German and still it’s pretty easy to figure out what’s what. But why bother? Because in addition to spoken and written language, visual symbols, especially pictorial symbols, have become an indispensable means of communication in our time. The acceleration of this development since the beginning of the 20th century indicates that, for certain communication situations, national languages and their written or typographic representations are being progressively replaced by symbols. This certainly applies wherever overcoming language barriers is a concern. Initially, this was only the case in international communication. However, the explosion of industrial development has since transformed local and national self-sufficiency into a comprehensive exchange and interdependence of nations. Machines and consumer goods are exported and imported. World’s fairs and trade fairs have become showcases of international production. Even the labor market has become internationalized through the flow of workers from economically weaker to economically stronger regions. Dense railway and air networks intertwine the continents But not only the production sector, but also reproduction and culture are swept up in this all-round exchange. A large number of tourists spend their holidays in foreign countries. International sporting events, Olympics, and congresses take place regularly. A fascinating study of the current state of symbols (circa 1977).