“Pictogram” is a compound word made from “picture” and “telegram”. Pictograms are usually simple , and they are often made with letters and words. A pictogram is a symbol which represents an idea an object through an image(图像). Also, it is a kind of communication system which must be learned but is very useful in our lives. The used must learn to see, and remember the different pictogram symbols. There are 1.400 different symbols the present time. A Canadian named Subhas Maharaj came up with the idea for pictograms in the beginning of the 1980s. at first, pictograms were introduced to help people had disabilities in speaking ,reading, or writing. Pictograms are images of objects that are to see and create. Today, pictograms are used In many different ways. For example, there are traffic ,recycling and signs, even animal symbols and so on.
Pictograms are in white against a black background.
The combination of white against a black background creates extremely contrast(对比), and this makes pictograms friendlier to users. A good example of a pictogram is the public symbols for “Men” and “Women”, just like the one on the left. Pictograms are a useful method of communication, and people can have fun as they each pictogram.