Symbol Design?

Symbols (pictograms) are the universal vocabulary that can transcend words, languages, locations, and cultures. Symbol design is a critical component of graphic design because symbols can often communicate information more concisely than words.

Symbol Design Articles

Beyond the Binary: Setting the Wayfinding Standard for Inclusive Restrooms
Beyond the Binary: Setting the Wayfinding Standard for Inclusive Restrooms

Read Time: 2 minutes
Happy first day of Pride Month 2022! Here at SEGD we have been striving to do better to create inclusive programming and partnerships that provide impactful social education and inspire positive action toward a truly egalitarian society--and need the voices of the community to do so. To kick off the month, we would like to feature Beyond the Binary: Setting the Wayfinding Standard for Inclusive Restrooms. This topic, featured at our 2021 Wayfinding + Placemaking event, is an important one as we strive to make the world a more inclusive place. We look forward to celebrating Pride month with all of you!

Lance Wyman's seminal 1968 Olympics Graphic Identity
1968 Mexico City Olympics
Beyond the Binary: Setting the Wayfinding Standard for Inclusive Restrooms
Beyond the Binary: Setting the Wayfinding Standard for Inclusive Restrooms

Explore SEGD Award Winners

Oxford Brookes University Wayfinding
Oxford Brookes University Wayfinding
Tongji University Signage
Tongji University Signage

Symbol Design Academic Research

The Sustainable Challenges and Opportunities in Environmental Graphic Design

Symbol Design EGD Firms

SEGD Symbol Design Podcasts

The ideal way to learn from your desk. These courses consist of podcast recordings of webinar and workshop materials delivered by the top professionals in EGD in the SEGD community.
$10 for individual Podcasts and $30 for the Podcast collections (best value) for members. Click for content details.

2018 Podcast | The Universal Language of Symbols, Signs & Icons

Symbol Design News

Mijksenaar Published All-Gender Restroom Symbols
Mijksenaar Publishes All-Gender Restroom Symbols

Read time: 1 Minutes
Mijksenaar published a set of all-gender symbols to address inclusive design in restrooms.

New "Any Disability" Symbol Gets Resounding Westminster Support
New "Any Disability" Symbol Gets Resounding Westminster Support

Read Time: <1 minute

Building on the campaign by Grace Warnock, StudioLR as funded by Life Changes Trust (Edinburgh, Scotland) has designed a new "Any Disability" symbol to encourage awareness of people with invisible disabilities. Last week, Martin Whitfield, MP for East Lothian, led a Commons debate on invisible disabilities. Receiving full cross-party support, the new Any Disability symbol represents the full range of people who need to use accessible toilets and other facilities.