A Smile in the MindExploring Visual Metaphors

Quinn QianWork • quinnqian.comInstagram • @quinn.katt

A Smile in the MindLet’s talk about visual metaphorsLet’s look at some visual metaphorsLet’s get weird

So, why bother?Visual Metaphor equalsService Design made visibleIt’s giving your audience or user less, showing you trust them to catch the rope you’re throwing at them; this is ultimately how connections are formed. Not through a full sentence, but moreso off a shared look.

Our collective unconscious overlaps more than we might think.

Handprints at Lascaux, 17,000 years ago

Movie poster, three years ago

Types of MetaphorsIndicatorSymbolIcon

From Mauro Rego’s ‘Being Visual’

Types of MetaphorsIndicator

From Mauro Rego’s ‘Being Visual’

Types of MetaphorsSymbol

From Mauro Rego’s ‘Being Visual’

Types of MetaphorsIcon

From Mauro Rego’s ‘Being Visual’

Indicator

Symbol • Percival + Associates

Icon • Atipo

Icon • Atipo

Icon • Atipo

All aboard the fun bus.We’re going on a field trip.

Vasilis Marmatakis

Percival + Associates

Wieslaw Walkuski

Darren Haggar

Akiko Stehrenberger

Olly Moss

Gravillis Inc.

and company

Jay Shaw

Now, let’s get weird.Field trip isn’t over.

A worldLike ‘Mars,’ or ‘in a fishtank.’

A time periodLike ‘the Renaissance.’

A strange hobby, outdated jobYou can get this one on your own.

Mindmeld.

Go small, go bigKernelsand associations

What’s this all about again?Go big, go smallDon’t deprive your audience/user of funOur collective unconscious

‘Manhattan’

Thanks everyone :)

Quinn QianWork • quinnqian.comInstagram • @quinn.katt