all posts tagged “communication”
It's true - I love signs. I take pictures of them, laugh about them and talk about if they work or not. I think the fascination is related to explanations. Signs are usually meant to communicate within constraints, much like our videos. This post is the first in what I plan to make a series. Let's look at a few.
This sign is at an establishment on a boat dock in Seattle. Like any "head" or toilet on water, it deserves special care because it doesn't operate like a normal toilet. Overall, I think it's great - it provides a simple, understandable rule and a concrete consequence for not following it. But I can't help but get stuck on the opening line "These are Mechanical Marine Heads." Why is it so specific? Does this mean anything to the land-lubber? I doubt it does and I think it compromises the communication by using language that's overly specific. The opening line is so important and it should inspire confidence. This one made me say "so?" I suggest "This toilet is different."
Please forgive the focus on the bathroom, but they are often filled with interesting signs. This one is at SeaTac airport, but is one you see everywhere. My criticism of this is not about content so much as placement. If the goal is to get people to wash their hands, why tell them at the sink? If they're at the sink, there is a good chance they're already doing it. I think the sign should be placed near the toilets.
Speaking of toilets, this sign is on a toilet at a restaurant in Seattle. The toilets use reclaimed water, which is an environmentally friendly option and one that humans can't drink. The sign has to be there by law. It's obviously clear and effective, but seems kind of ridiculous and even funny. On the sign by the urninal, there's a hand written note that says "OK, I will not drink from the toilet. Thanks."
Next I promise to move away from the toilet-focused signage.
What's Missing From This Sign at Airport Security?
Posted by: leelefever on December 7, 2008- 4:00pm
Categories: communication, design, offtopic, signs, travel
Me (to the friendly TSA ID checker): Do I have to remove my laptop computer?
TSA Employee: Yes, you do.
Me: It's not listed on the sign
TSA Employee: Well, it's the most important thing to remove.
Me: But not important enough to be on the sign?
TSA: It's supposed to be on there, the people that printed it messed up (rolls eyes).
The TSA folks have hard jobs and I appreciate what they do. However, it doesn't exactly give me a safe feeling when the instructions for moving through the line efficiently are "messed up" and no on seems to care.
Japan Tobacco's Clever and Strange Smoking Manners Signs
Posted by: leelefever on February 23, 2008- 4:00pm
Categories: communication, humor, japan, travel, visualthinking
Japan is surely one of the politest places you're likely to visit. If you ask someone for directions, there is a good chance they will walk you there themselves. Behaving honorably is an important part of the culture and there is never a lack of signs, often cleverly illustrated, reminding the public of what is expected.
One of the most interesting and clever examples I found is produced by Japan Tobacco. In smoking areas, on trains and near ashtrays, there are often signs related to smoking and behavior in crowds. Notice the minimalist illustrations and the strange-but-effective messaging from these examples.
This is my favorite. The proper disposal of cigarette butts is an important issue. Meet. Love. The End. - A timeless story.
and...
Some are designed (I think) to promote awareness of how non-smokers perceive smokers.
and...
also...Neglect.
But, it's not just focused on smokers. On trains you may see signs about proper train behavior. For instance, apparently public grooming is discouraged. Make up - Image down.
And those backpacks. I have been in violation multiple times.
Unexpectedness, emotion, concrete examples, these signs are right from Made To Stick.
You can find a gallery of over 70 of these signs via Conbinibento and some particulary funny ones at InOnePunch. I've been collecting strange signs from all over here and don't forget Darren's Hall of Technical Documentation Weirdness.
Bonus sign - a mission statement in Engrish, from a bakery at a train station in small town Shikoku, Japan:
Good quality cumbustion setting up is very important for me, personally.
The Weblog Elevator Pitch- One Year Later
Posted by: leelefever on April 26, 2005- 5:00pm
Categories: blogs, business, communication, Explanation, plainenglish, simplicity
It was one year ago that I won my first contest as a writer. The challenge was to create the "perfect corporate weblog elevator pitch". It was put on by the folks at Weblogs Inc. via the Social Software Weblog and Judith Meskill.
At the very least, I hope the little contest preserves a look at what people thought was an accurate summary of how blogs could be used inside a corporation. One day, people may say "that was sooo 2004". For now though, I still stand beind the pitch 100%.
Here it is:
First, think about the value of the Wall Street Journal to business leaders. The value it provides is context �?? the Journal allows readers to see themselves in the context of the financial world each day, which enables more informed decision making.
With this in mind, think about your company as a microcosm of the financial world. Can your employees see themselves in the context of the whole company? Would more informed decisions be made if employees and leaders had access to internal news sources?
Weblogs serve this need. By making internal websites simple to update, weblogs allow individuals and teams to maintain online journals that chronicle projects inside the company. These professional journals make it easy to produce and access internal news, providing context to the company �?? context that can profoundly affect decision making. In this way, weblogs allow employees and leaders to make more informed decisions through increasing their awareness of internal news and events.
I've been a customer of Dreamhost (who hosts some of my web sites) for a couple of years now and they have always impressed me with their reliability and service- but that's only part of my admiration.
Perhaps the biggest part is their attitude -- they are fun. They make a real effort to create an experience around their services. The experience (even when bad things happen) is personal, authentic and usable.
Their email newsletter always makes me laugh. They have added wikis to their set of tools and here's how I learned about the wiki in the newsletter:
Looking at our wicked wiki I'm sure has gotten you a mite jealous. Heck, I'm jealous. I hear jealousy is second only to envy in the seven deadly sins, so you better quit your jealous jonesin right now! And here's why:
(link to secure site)
...now has a new One-Click Install for your wiki-wanton butt cheeks.. the Media Wiki open-source PHP wiki software! Now the very same crazy program we're using for wiki.dreamhost.com can be installed at your DreamHosted website.. and in just one wiki-clicky!
The Dreamhost folks speak to me (as a customer) in a way that I'm not used to and it's why reason I'm writing this post. They have an excellent product and the courage to be different and unconventional, even with something as boring as web hosting.
Would your company put the phrase "butt cheeks" in a company newsletter? I think not, but perhaps they should consider it.
HBS Working Knowledge: Loosen Up Your Communication Style
I thought this was an interesting article about communication styles in leadership positions. I've certainly seen the "data only" style and it served only to glaze eyeballs. Good points on symbolic and emotional communication.
Via: Online Facilitation
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