Abstract
Our visual system has evolved over hundreds of millions of years, and is finely honed for processing natural scenes. It is reasonable to expect that warning signs that can more closely mimic ancestrally alerting stimuli (or “supernormal” versions of such stimuli) in nature would be among the most effective even today. Here we investigate warning symbols from an ecological standpoint, specifically in light of recent research in three areas of vision: color perception, the evolution of writing and typography, and visual illusions. We discuss how the color and geometry of an angry face, for example, may underly the superiority of red color and V shapes in warnings. We also describe simple heuristic ecology-based rules for the design of text in warning signs. Finally, we take up how radial line stimuli and the illusory effects they induce can be harnessed for capturing the attention of an observer, orienting him toward a warning symbol, and deterring him from moving closer.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
