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Facts and data on pictograms Literature

Smoking

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Smoking Area, Smoking Allowed

Category

Regulations, General Information, Public Facilities

Message / Function

To signify where smoking is allowed

 

Source Description
Modley & Myers page 72, KFAI: Pictogram Smoking KFAI Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
UIC 413 Pictogram B.10.4 - Smoking UIC 413 Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with tip, smoke represented by two wavy vertical lines
Abdullah & Hübner page 94: Pictogram Smoking permitted by Kapitzki Kapitzki Side view of horizontal burning cigarette in outline with smoke
ÖNORM A 3011 Public Information Symbol No 18: Smoking permitted ÖNORM A 3011 Side view of horizontal burning cigarette in outline with smoke
UIC 413 Pictogram Smokers UIC 413 b Side view of horizontal burning cigarette in outline with smoke
Abdullah & Hübner page 122, BVG Pictogram Smoking area BVG Side view of horizontal burning cigarette in outline with smoke
Abdullah & Hübner page 163: Pictogram Smoking permitted Swiss Post Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
Cigarette Smoking Icon UXWing Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
AIGA Symbol Sign No 42 Regulations: Smoking AIGA Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
Eco-Mo Foundation Pictogram Smoking Eco-Mo
Foundation		 Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
Hora page 154: CNIS Pictogram Smoking allowed CNIS Side view of horizontal burning cigarette with smoke
ISO 7001 Public Information Symbol PI PF 015: Smoking area or smoking allowed ISO 7001 Side view of tilted burning cigarette in outline with smoke
BS 8501 Public Information Symbol No 6028: Smoking allowed BS 8501:2002 Side view of tilted burning cigarette with smoke
Modley & Myers page 72: Picto'grafics Pictogram Smoking Picto'grafics Side view of tilted burning cigarette with smoke
Smitshuijzen page 346: Smoking Pictogram Smitshuijzen Side view of burning cigarette tilted upwards, with smoke
Smitshuijzen page 349: Smoking Pictogram Smitshuijzen Side view of burning cigarette tilted upwards, with smoke
Modley & Myers page 73, Summer Olympics Mexico 1968, Pictogram Smoking O'68 Side view of burning pipe, smoke represented by four wavy vertical lines
Hookah logo design IKA Top of waterpipe with smoke
Modley & Myers page 72: Expo 1970 Pictogram Smoking X'70 Hand holding burning cigarette, smoke represented by three wavy lines
Page 19: Pictogram Smoking Permitted Toshiba Hand holding burning cigarette, smoke represented by three wavy lines
Icon Smoking by Furtaev Furtaev Head of person in profile, smoking cigarette

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

Using the Production Method Gehringer (1979) explored which mental images or visual stereotypes exist concerning the message Smoking. 80 % of the responses showed a burning cigarette with smoke. Next were variants showing the head of a smoking person (10 %) and followed by a pipe with smoke (7 %). Only 3 % provided other solutions. Responses indicate that there exists a visual stereotype regarding Smoking. This observation corresponds to the selection of pictograms found, which is dominated by images showing a burning cigarette with smoke.

In her dissertation concerning optimization of pictograms, Skone (1977) could not find significant differences in reaction times regarding horizontal and tilted renderings of burning cigarettes.

In a later Japanese study to propose domestically unified graphical symbols based on scientific methods, the pictogram variant labeled as Eco-Mo Foundation reached a comprehension score of 93.9, an excellent value (Eco-Mo Foundation, 2001).

Recommendation

It has to be questioned whether the image used to signify where smoking is allowed must be completely identical to that used for the message 'No Smoking' without the negation applied. If this is not the case, each of the two images could be optimized individually.

Regarding the message 'No Smoking', check studies of Dewar (1976) and Murray et.al. (1998) about design aspects concerning the negation elements, as the specific elements must not obscure the intended message.

Tests of pictograms of referent Smoking

Eco-Mo Foundation (2001): Test data of public information symbols in Japan - Procedure for the testing of public information symbols by the Study Committee. ISO: ISO/TC 145/SC 1 N 329.

Gehringer, J. (1979): Untersuchung über die zeichnerische Gestaltung von Pictogrammen in Abhängigkeit von einigen Persönlichkeitsmerkmalen, sowie Überprüfung einiger Bildzeichen auf ihre Erkennbarkeit. Dissertation, Psychology Department, University of Vienna.

Skone, K. (1977): Erkennbarkeit von Symbolvarianten. Dissertation, Psychology Department, University of Vienna.

 

Updated 2023-07-06 by Ch.Brugger