Week 3 readings

McCloud

In chapter 2 McCloud discusses the use of icons and symbols in our society.  The more abstract the image the further from reality the image becomes.  McCloud discusses that pictures are recieved information which means that you are able to understant instantly what the image is portraying.  Writing is percieved information which means reading words is a learned skill that requires knowledge of the language and comprehension of the symbolsto understand the word.  When driving down the street, the signs with images are easier to read because the image is simple, colorful, and usually fairly large.  When the street signs are words that don't stick out as much and if you can't read then the sign is pointless.