Facts and data on pictograms
Synonyms / Other Terms Used
Racquetball, Racket Ball
Category
Sports, Ball Sports, Sporting Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism
Message / Function
To indicate the location of facilities for playing squash
| Source | Description | |
|---|---|---|
 |
ÖNORM A 3011 | Back view of human figure with racket and ball, perspective view of two walls of squash court |
 |
ON Testdesign | View of human figure with racket and ball, vertical line indicating wall |
 |
ON Testdesign | View of human figure with racket and ball, perspective view of squash court |
 |
Eybl | View of two human figures, each with racket, plus ball |
 |
SSRS | Squash racket plus ball, with triangle above |
 |
Bräuer | Front view of human figure with racket and ball |
 |
BTA 1989 | Human figure with racket |
Discussion
The variants shown in the table above were placed according to the merged results of Appropriateness Ranking Tests conducted in Austria (Brugger, 1985) and Sweden (Gärling, 1985).
The second to last pictogram of this table was judged as rather inappropriate as it might be confused with Tennis. The same can be said about the last variant labeled BTA 1989.
The suitability of symbol No 103 from ÖNORM A 3011, originally a trial-design by Karl Scheiber, was indicated by the extremely positive results it reached in the ranking tests mentioned above. It is the only variant which effectively shows one main aspect of squash: the presence of walls used for playing the game. The table below illustrates how the varying degree of familiarity of squash among the respondents determined the rate of correct comprehension (Brugger, 1987):
| Australia | 95 % |
| United Kingdom | 90 % |
| Austria | 70 % |
| Japan | 32 % |
| Hungary | 9 % |
The symbol conveys its message extremely well.
Recommendations
Based on the test results known we recommend the use of pictogram No 103 of the Austrian standard ÖNORM A 3011, part 5 to signify Squash.
Tests of pictograms of referent Squash
Brugger, Ch. (1984): Reihungstest 1984. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute, Vienna, 1984-10-05.
Brugger, Ch. (1987): Evaluation of Public Information Symbols, ISO 1986 Test Series: Comprehension/Recognition Test. Vienna: ISO / TC 145 / SC 1.
Gärling, T. (1985): ISO Appropriateness Ranking Test 1985 - Redovisning av genomförande. Report to the Swedish Standards Institute dated 1985-07-24.
Updated 2023-07-17 by Ch.Brugger