Week 4 // Isotype: Representing social facts pictorially

Week 4 was based upon looking further into the history of Isotopes and how they became to be a globally accessible non verbal language. 

The isotope method is using basic world wide recognisable shapes to create messages for an individual, but is mainly used in public settings. Its a form of visual communication that is heavily used within signage, maps and other public settings to express things such as direction , function and other human processes. In the writings of Burke, “In some ways Isotype offered an alternative to verbal language - ‘Words divide, pictures unite’ (…) He saw the potential in using simplified pictures for informing less-educated adults, and schoolchildren, but also for international communication. “

The legacy of Isotypes today is to communicate messages to the diverse range of people within our public. The Isotopes of our modern society still have to communicate a message clearly through basic shapes and design, however there is a broader range of people and ideas that now have to be adhered to. Some examples of highly used isotopes are the bathroom signs, the pedestrian traffic lights , and the recyclele symbols on bins. 

There are many values embodied within isotopes. These values stem from being easily recognisable for all different levels of educated people , to the how the isotopes are presented and what presented within them. An example of this is the new pedestrian traffic light system in Melbourne where a female is represented on the traffic light instead of a man. This is a huge step in the representation of isotopes and also a huge step towards fulfilling some actions towards the equality of men and women.