Pictograms and parks

Pictograms (also: pictographs), with their ancestral roots in hieroglyphics, can be beautiful in their utilitarian simplicity. For example, here is a sample set used by the National Park Service (click image below for larger view). Simple, purposeful, efficient, and clear.


nps_pictograms_sm

Resource: These pictograms, along with other cartographic symbols and patterns used on National Park Service maps and signs, are available as PDF files, Adobe Illustrator (CS2) format, and as True Type fonts here, along with a useful swatch library of map patterns (sand, wetlands, trees, etc.) for Adobe Illustrator (CS2).

Wonderful on screen or paper, but even better in-situ…because some things just can’t be downloaded : ) See you on the trails!

National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.Wallace Stegner, 1983

Logo’ the Irish

As a follow-up to my most recent post on the symbolism of shamrocks, I’ve assembled a collection of logos that incorporate the shamrock* in some way (with the Boston Celtics first, of course). While this list is just a small sampling of the countless logos with shamrocks, the designs shown here represent a diverse set of businesses, services, groups, and events, and many display remarkable creativity.

shamrock-logos

*This collection focuses on the 3-leafed shamrock, and does not include any of the many logos that contain the 4-leafed clover.

If you’d like a closer look, you can download a PDF file (8.5″ x 11″, 460kb) of the collection. Enjoy!

As the saying goes, May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Sláinte,

Rob

On shamrocks as symbols

As I write this, there are 13 days, 9 hours, and 8 minutes until St. Patrick’s Day.

As you can discern, I’m looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day —and all its shamrocky goodness— with my wife Lisa, as we always do.

Much has already been written about the shamrock as a symbol, as it is one of the oldest Celtic symbols. Perhaps second only to the harp in its rank as a symbol of Ireland, it has come to represent nearly all things Irish. As such, it can be seen in many logos (see Logo’ the Irish), including that of the Irish Tourism Board. In fact, the shamrock, along with the harp, is a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland. It has, of course, also come to be regarded as a symbol of good luck or a St Patrick’s Day decoration.

Many cultures throughout time have held a special reverence for the shamrock, a representation of the number 3, which many religions viewed as sacred. To the Druids it symbolized the earth, sky, and sea. Christians, particularly Irish Catholics, have viewed its three lobes as a representation of the Holy Trinity. To others throughout the ages it has represented past, present, and future.

If you found this page because you were just looking for a simple shamrock image (and you still read this far!), here’s a shamrock drawing (both black & white and color versions) –you’re welcome to use it, alter, it, or whatever you wish. You can download the vector file (.eps) containing both versions, or a right click here to grab a 300 dpi jpg of the image.

clover

Want more info on the history of the Shamrock? Check out this Wikipedia page.

There’s a dear little plant that grows in our Isle.
‘Twas Saint Patrick himself sure that set it.
And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile.
And a tear from his eyes often wet it.
It shines thro’ the bog, thro’ the brake, and the mireland,
And it’s called the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

Sláinte,
Rob

Information design for advocacy

Visualizing Information for AdvocacyFellow Graphic Alliance member John Emerson recently shared a wonderful free resource, a PDF booklet entitled Visualizing Information for Advocacy: An Introduction to Information Design. The manual is intended to introduce advocacy organizations to basic principles and techniques of information design. It provides some excellent examples of designs from groups around the world in a variety of media. It also has tips, exercises, and even recommended free software packages to help groups develop their imagery.

Among the booklet’s many fine examples is the graphic below, designed by the landscape architecture firm Field Operations as part of an effort to convert an abandoned railway along the edge of NYC to a public park. These two timelines depict the likely succession of flora and fauna, and public usage, over the course of four years.

Successional timeline graphics

Visualizing Information for Advocacy was written and designed by John Emerson, Principal at Apperceptive LLC. It was coordinated and produced by the Tactical Technology Collective and funded by the OSI Information Program. This publication is Creative Commons licensed.

Download the full booklet at http://apperceptive.com/infodesign.pdf.

Custom pillow box

example of custom pillow boxAlthough this is only loosely related to the central theme of this blog, I thought I’d share regardless…

Having never been very good at traditional gift wrapping, and looking for a unique way to package a gift for my wife, I turned to a DIY pillow box. Here are the simple directions, if you want to make your own:

1. Download this pillow box template (12K PDF) and print it on 8.5″x11″ card stock. (Note: I created this pattern to form a finished box size of approx. 6.5″x3″ (interior), but you could scale it up or down to make a larger or smaller box as needed.)

2. (Optional) Print custom design on reverse side. I created a typographic pattern designed to read the same both vertically and horizontally, but this is an area with endless possibilities where you can stretch your creativity.

3. (Optional) You may elect to laminate the sheet for increased durability (I chose not to laminate, to allow for the box to be recycled).

3. Score along all inside lines of pattern.

4. Cut along perimeter, following outermost lines.

5. Fold along the center line, then fold flap in, then attach flap using double-sided tape or glue.

6. Fold sides…and you’re done!

Please share your ideas here, or pictures of your own pillow box creations if you give this pattern a try!

For additional guidance, check out this video tutorial.