Symbol design & testing methodology project: a proposed testing method for public information symbols

In a previous paper the progress that had been made towards devising a set of guidelines for determining the need for a symbol was reported. The present paper reports the testing procedure for public information symbols which has been evolved in the course of the project. The purpose of this procedure is to determine the effectiveness of symbols as communication devices. It is intended that future papers will provide guidelines for the education of users, the placement of signs and design procedures. Together they will comprise a complete procedure for the initiation, design, evaluation and implementation of individual symbols or complete symbol systems. It is anticipated that the research carried out in this project will constitute the empirical basis for the Australian standards for public information symbols currently being considered by the Standards Association of Australia.