Synonyms / Other Terms Used
Campfires, Location for Campfires, Bonfire, Fires
Category
Tourism, Recreation, Activities, Management
Message / Function
To indicate locations where campfires may be lit
Source | Description | |
---|---|---|
ISO 7001 | Flame above logs, tent in top right-hand corner | |
JISC | Flame above logs, tree in top right-hand corner | |
U.S. National Park Service |
Containment with two crossed logs forming X-like shape, flames above | |
1) | ON Testdesign | Circular containment with two crossed logs forming X-like shape, flames above |
a) | ÖNORM A 3011 | Oval containment with asymmetrically crossed logs, flames above |
b) | ON Testdesign | Oval containment with two crossed logs in outline, flames above |
c) | ON Testdesign | Asymmetrically crossed logs, flames above |
2) | ON Testdesign | Two crossed logs forming X-like shape plus flames above |
PC | Two crossed logs forming X-like shape plus flames above | |
CNIS | Two crossed logs forming X-like shape plus flames above | |
CANSS | Two crossed logs forming X-like shape plus flames above | |
NPS | Two crossed logs plus flames above | |
Ecuador | Two crossed logs with bark details plus flames above | |
spreadshirt | Two crossed logs forming X-like shape, flames above | |
SIS | Logs plus flames above | |
SSRS | Logs plus flames above | |
Unknown | Three logs plus flames above | |
Northcott | Four logs plus flames above | |
NZS 8603 | Five logs plus flames above | |
Aydinel | Five filled circles forming containment, flames above | |
auttapol | Four filled ovals forming containment, flames above |
Discussion
There seems to be a visual stereotype concerning the message 'Campfire': Two or more logs plus flames above.
In a Comprehension Test conducted in Austria with the two variants marked with 1) and 2) (Brugger, 1990), about 30 % of the responses indicated the opposite of the intended message like 'fire hazard', 'danger of fire', 'flammable', 'fires not allowed here'. It was assumed that the X-like shape of the logs was seen as negation by some of the respondents.
Estimates concerning comprehensibility did not show any significant differences between the the pictogram variants marked with a) to c) (Brugger, 1999). On the other hand, in a Comprehension Test (Brugger, 1992) of these pictograms, responses highlighted the importance of adding elements implying a containment. Among young respondents the pictograms marked with a) and b) elicited 15 or less percent responses opposite of the intended message. Applying lenient scoring the later ÖNORM A 3011 symbol reached 84 % correct responses in this group, indicating sufficient comprehensibility in this user group. It should be noted that no context information was provided in the two Comprehension Tests mentioned.
Recommendations
Based on the test results known and regarding possible optimization, we recommend a redesign based on a clearly identifyable containment, maybe similar to one shown in the U.S. National Park Service pictogram, but with an asymmetrical arrangement of logs and flames that do not look like a flower.
We further suggest to conduct studies comparing concepts like the NPS, ISO and ÖNORM pictogram variants with designs resulting from our recommendation above.
Tests of pictograms of referent Campfire
Brugger, Ch. (1990): Abschlußbericht über den Verständnistest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 10/90, Vienna.
Brugger, Ch. (1992): Reihungstest 1992. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) FNA 133 dated August 1992, Vienna.
Brugger, Ch. (1992): Verständnistest 1992. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated October 1992, Vienna.
Brugger, Ch. (1999): Public information symbols: a comparison of ISO testing procedures. In: Zwaga, H., Boersema, T. & Hoonhout, H. (Eds.): Visual information for everyday use. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
See also
Firewood, Barbecue, Picnic Area
Updated 2024-03-20 by Ch.Brugger