We prefer reading letters that are ordinary, black and simple to letters that are
Why? Well, ordinary letters make the text easier to read. Pictogram is a quick-to-read visual language.
Pictogram was designed to cater for the difficulties that can be caused by cognitive disorders. So Picto images are black & white and highly stylised – only information-bearing pictorial elements are included.
Picto images comprise two elements: drawn images and text. The drawn image always has a differentiating shape and a 'hook' – a clue to the meaning. The text states which word the Picto image represents and is positioned at the top.
But pictures can be ambiguous – the meaning is not always obvious. A degree of learning is thus required in order to get started and begin using the Picto images, i.e. writing so other people understand it and being able to read what others have written.
Pictogram is one of many written languages – not as nuanced and rich in vocabulary, but for its users it can open up new worlds. You gain a linguistic community.
The system has been developed – and continues to be developed – by specialists at the Institute for Special Educational Needs, in collaboration with users, teachers, speech therapists, psychologists and occupational therapists with long experience of alternative means of communication.
The design of the images has developed over the years. The degree of stylisation has increased and the number of pictorial elements has decreased. This gives certain Picto images a more general meaning. For example, 'pour' now stands for more than pouring into a glass.
Previous version
New version