This module focusses on some of the key criteria to consider when designing a symbol set

1. Module 1
Unit 3
Principles of
Symbol Design

2. 2
In this Unit we will consider
• The importance of language and culture in symbol
design
• Why open licences are important
• Recognising the importance of both translation and
localisation
• The principles behind voting on symbol design
• How design is influenced by how the symbols will be
used

3. 3
Understanding the Centrality of Language
When designing symbols we need to
be aware of the features of the linked
language
• Directionality – do we read from left
to right or right to left?
• Does the written language feature
diacritics or accents?
• How long are written or spoken
phrases?
• Do the written and spoken language
forms vary significantly
• Does the language vary considerably
with Accent or dialect

4. 4
Understanding the centrality of culture?
Lets think about how cultural values would
influence symbol design.
Can you imagine how values might influence
the symbols for
• Dog ?
• Woman?
• Love?
• Independence?
In this graphic all of the
symbols have some cultural influence

5. 5
Local solutions need open licences
There are many reasons to consider symnbols
produced under open licence
These might incluce
• Sustainability
• Transference
• Flexibility
• Ease of access

6. 6
Personalise
Globalise
AAC
User
Localise
AAC users might ask ….
How can the symbols be
individualised to suit my
personal needs?
How can the my
AAC system be
made appropriate
for engagement in
my environment,
language and
culture?
How can the I
benefit from global
AAC trends and
resources?

7. 7
Iconicity
Iconicity refers to the ease by which a symbol is
recognised, it depends on design consistency and the
ease by which it can be learned
• Transparent symbols tend to look like their referents
(the concept they represent) so are easy to recognise
• Translucent symbols need other information or
support to make them easier to learn
• Opaque symbols are not obvious, are harder to learn
as they may lack a link to the word or concept.

8. 8
Iconicity
The young child has to feel happy and at ease with the
symbols.
At an early stage you may not be dealing with the
complex issues of number, gender etc you need to
consider these for the future when the child is
hopefully generating language.
The future proofing of a symbol set is vital as any
needed changes that should have a natural
progression based on normal language development
and potentially lead to literacy skills.

9. 9
Iconicity Localisation
• Inappropriate symbols send mixed messages
• AAC users need to feel comfortable with the
nuances of their own culture, religion and
social settings.
• Linguistic rules need to be considered to
encourage natural language generation and
literacy skills

10. 10
Translation options English/French to
Arabic
les enfants ‫أطفال‬
The written word forms a label that is important to ensure
understanding especially when translating
The symbol below means “children” but could refer to
“playing” or even a specific English children’s playground
game

11. 11
Translation options - English to Urdu
Children ‫بچوں‬
Here we have the same concept with very different designs.
How acceptable are these for each culture.
Do children enjoy stick figures?
Would they work in Pakistan? Note the dress difference between the
Arabic Gulf States and the Muslim dress of Pakistan.
This can even differ within countries so choices may be needed.

12. 12
Voting English/French – Urdu and Arabic
The next slide demonstrates complex cultural issues
such as male and female friends.
The man with his arms around both male and female
friends was not considered appropriate when we
showed the symbol in Doha.
Consideration of diacritics and accents in languages is
necessary as these support the text to speech engines
and and are necessary for pronunciation.
If you miss off diacritics the child will have an inaccurate
pronunciation of a word and yet on the web this tends
to happen in most Arabic written text.

13. 13
Voting English/French – Urdu and Arabic
Low Score
friends /amis
High Score
‫ِقاء‬‫د‬ْ‫ص‬‫أ‬
High Score
‫دوستوں‬

14. 14
Voting on symbol overall feel, concept
representation, culture, contrast levels
Criteria can be developed over time for voting.
Translations of the words is one dimension but
voting on suitability we are using different
criteria.
These are almost instinctive. It is an initial
reaction that is important, before considering
other issues.
It is similar to the sensation of meeting someone
for the first time, our immediate feelings often
stay with us, first impressions count.

15. 15
Voting on symbol overall feel, concept
representation, culture, contrast levels
Low Score
Idea
High Score
‫ة‬َ‫ر‬ْ‫ك‬ِ‫ف‬

16. 16
Planning to offer more freely available
symbol sets
Therapists do not tend to mix and match symbol designs
or symbol sets but when it comes to the look and feel of
an image and where you are working with several open
symbol sets you can choose a different design for some
objects.
In this case “Police Car”

17. 17
These Criteria were developed for Arabic symbols.
Which of these might apply to your setting?
Sample images used in AAC settings thanks to ARASAAC and Tawasol Symbols

18. 18
Breaking down Barriers
• Small but critical factors can impact on
acceptance of localised linguistically accurate
core vocabularies and corresponding pictograms
by enabling collaboration in both design and
development.
• Social media and open communication systems
make for easier changes; being responsive to
comments and requests based on the opinion of
the majority.

19. 19
Symbol Formats must be fit for the
intended purpose
Will you want to use the symbols for
• Printing
• Alongside Text
• Literacy support
• For different types of device
• Transferable across device and format
• Integrated with text to speech

20. 20
Summary
• Whilst some symbols can be considered
“universal” we recognise that symbols are
nuanced and carry meaning beyond concrete
representation.
• Because symbols are open to interpretation
engaging in the design of symbols for a
specific community will help ensure that there
is a shared understanding and interpretation
of all of the symbols in a set.

21. 21
Key points to remember
• Language, culture and intended use are all
crucial influences on symbol design
• Involving stakeholders from within the target
community will enhance familiarity and
confidence in the symbol set
• Open Licences support localisation of symbol
sets to meet community needs
• Open licences allow for symbols to used
across settings and stakeholders