Sketch Self-Review

With your A1 sketches in front of you:

  1. Identify 2-3 areas where you're uncertain if your intent is clear to others
  2. Write one question you'd like answered during today's critique
  3. Consider: What assumptions did you make about what viewers would understand?

Prayer

[Name], will you pray for us today?

Unit A: Wayfinding Map & Icons

Testing your work with others is how you discover what you can't see yourself

Today

Telestrations Game
Gallery Critique
Partner Usability Test
Pictionary: Icons, Symbols & Pictograms
Icon Sketching Workshop & A2 Introduction

Telestrations

How easily can symbols be misunderstood?

How to Play

  1. Section 1: Write a word or short phrase
  2. Pass left → Section 2: Draw what you see (fold back section 1)
  3. Pass left → Section 3: Write what you see (fold back section 2)
  4. Continue alternating draw/write until all sections are filled
  5. Unfold and share the evolution with your group

What happens when we don't test our work with others?

By the end of today...

Testing as Design

You'll understand that research and testing ARE design activities, not separate phases

Feedback Skills

You'll know how to facilitate usability tests and ask questions that get useful feedback

Icon Vocabulary

You'll know the difference between icons, symbols, and pictograms — and have practiced sketching each

Gallery Critique

Silent annotation with sticky notes

How It Works

  1. Post your sketch on the wall
  2. Walk the gallery silently (10 min)
  3. Green sticky: Elements that communicate clearly (write why)
  4. Yellow sticky: Areas where you have a question or feel confused
  5. Collect your sketch and read the feedback

What patterns do you notice? What made certain elements clear or confusing?

Partner Usability Test

Testing is central to designing, not a separate phase

How to Test

  1. Trade sketches with a partner
  2. Partner tries to "read" the journey without explanation
  3. Record: What was clear? What was confusing?

What questions might you ask to get specific, useful feedback?

Open-ended or yes/no?

Pictionary

From concrete to abstract

How to Play

Form groups of 4. One person draws, others guess.

No words, letters, or numbers. 30-45 seconds per round.

Concrete Prompts

hot chocolate, stairs, elevator, parking, backpack, clock

Abstract Prompts

frustration, relief, confusion, accomplishment, excitement, boredom

What made concrete objects easier? What strategies worked for abstract concepts?

Icon, Symbol, Pictogram

Icon

Representational image that resembles what it depicts (coffee cup icon)

Symbol

Abstract mark with learned meaning (heart = love, $ = money)

Pictogram

Simplified, standardized representation (bathroom signs, airport wayfinding)

Your icon set needs at least 2 icons representing abstract emotions — you just practiced this!

A2: Icon Set Draft

Cohesive icons with consistent visual language

A2 Requirements

  1. 4-7 icons representing key moments in your journey
  2. At least 2 icons must represent abstract emotions/ideas
  3. Icons drawn at least 2 inches tall, aligned on horizontal line
  4. Include revised wayfinding map for context

Cohesive icon sets are like good typefaces — similar strokes, proportions, and stylistic forms.

Due Day 3 (Wednesday, Jan 14) — bring physical draft to class

Next up

Icon Sketching Workshop — Identify 4-7 key moments, sketch icons, emphasize abstract emotions

Apply what you learned from the usability test to improve your designs

Reading — Ellen Lupton, Design is Storytelling, Act 1

Reading — "What is a Good Icon?" notes

A2 Icon Set Draft — due Day 3, bring physical copies

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