Intro to Design: Types of Communication and Logos

Types of Communication

 Communication and design go hand in hand with each other. One must be able to successfully communicate their designs, and one must also be able to arrange their communications in a way that makes sense to the subject. 

The most frequently used types of communication include, visual, audio, written, and verbal. The best of these can be argued to be audio communication. The distinct nature of audio as well as the accessibility of the format makes it readily available to almost anyone. Audio communication is also a time tested format and has been used for hundreds of years in one format or another. Humans have always tried to record, propagate, and disperse audio communications as they can be more easily transmitted than a combination of audio and video. From the phonograph, to radio, to more modern formats like the .mp3 or.wav files audio is an important cornerstone in communication.

Another advantage of audio communication is that it can be consumed on its own or alongside visual communication- such as in films and television. Audio on its own can also be consumed while performing other tasks- like listening to music while exercising, or listening to news radio while driving. 

The biggest characteristic of audio that make it so distinct and unique is the variation and depth it can be used to communicate. Every speaker has a different voice that can aid in communicating different ideas better or worse depending on the usage. Tone is also a key aspect of the depth of audio communication. Inflections that can easily be missed in written word are more clearly displayed and used in audio communication. 

Symbols in Visual Communication

When communicating visually there are many aspects to consider- symbols, text, type, color, and images to name a few. The most important though, is symbols. Symbols have been used as long as humanity has existed, from Native American pictographs, to Egyptian hieroglyphics, even letters that are used in modern languages are a form of symbols. Symbols make up the baseline of all visual communication. 

Symbols are also more easy to understand with no context. Someone who doesn't speak the same language as the author of a visual piece may still grasp the meaning of symbols based on their location or other symbols surrounding them. Symbols are used around nuclear disposal sites like Yucca Mountain in Nevada for just this purpose- to communicate danger to any who may approach the site including those who may or may not speak English, as the decay times for such material are so long that the danger may outlive the modern lexicon. This being the case, the designers chose a method of communication that would feasibly be legible to anyone. 

It's no surprise that some of the strongest visual communication has come from companies and brands. With all the resources and effort that companies put into their marketing and the modern necessity of brand recognition companies need to have extraordinarily strong visual communication.

Apple

Apple's logo design has changed over the years but has largely has remained the same- an apple with a bite taken out. This design communicates a casual simplicity. Very little detail in the majority of the logos communicates an easy to use and easy to understand product and brand. The logo has evolved to suit the style and target audience of the products of the various eras, but has remained much the same. The Apple Logo has very little ambiguity as to what it represents as well- the "bite" taken out of the side provides scale, and the silhouette approach to the rendering of the fruit is clean, but immediately apparent.

BMW 

BMW, or Bavarian Motor Works has a simple, elegant design. The design originates from the company's days as an aircraft engine manufacturer, symbolizing a blue sky with a propeller in front. 

The logo- or roundel uses clean, sleek lines and communicates luxury through its curves, almost bearing resemblance to an old European house crest. The logo also uses color to stick out from afar- like being viewed from a distance while placed on a vehicle. A monotone version wouldn't be nearly as eye catching and could easily be confused for another symbol. Finally the initials at the top are evenly spaced and in a sleek modern font that communicates a "coolness".

Dominos Pizza

The Domino's Pizza logo uses two basic components: the red domino piece, and the blue logo section. the separation of these plays into the theme of looking like the game of dominos, in addition, the domino piece could be interpreted as looking like a slice of pepperoni pizza.