The most recognized sign in the world is the restroom sign. The forms of these signs are based on simplified outlines of a male and female. They are outfitted in traditional concepts of how men and women should be clothed. The male symbol "wears" pants while the female symbol "wears" a dress, despite the fact that men wear skirts in some countries and women wear both pants and skirts. From an educational viewpoint, these restroom signs give us inaccurate information and guide us to a misconception about men and women's real appearances. Nevertheless, these signs work for us because we are taught to memorize certain information and incorporate this information into experience. If a sign works, one might question why it needs to change. The answer is as people evolve socially our perception of representation must also change. This sign can be improved visually, functionally and intellectually.
the existing public restroom sign
Why is it better to use an abstract form instead of using an outline of a male who wears pants and a female wears a skirt? Because these signs are widely spread in the world they give people the wrong perceptions, namely that a woman who does not wear a skirt is not a woman. Personally, this was a major annoyance when I grew up in Asia. One might think that this concept is formed by cultural backgrounds as opposed to a problem of restroom signs. I agree that this is an example that might not relate to restroom signs but, think about how many times we see these signs in our lives. I cannot even dare to count. We live in a visual world and most people depend on what they see. Our eyes perceive information and digest it through our brains and we accept it as true. These signs are not just a single visual they are the most influential visual ever made in design history. The sad thing about the form of a female wearing a skirt is that I am sure someone in the world looks at the sign and automatically associates wearing a skirt with being a woman.
WOMEN Form Evolution
MEN Form Evolution
Public Toilets ASOTYPE (Abstract, Transitional ASOTYPE)
| men’s public toilet | women’s public toilet |
As you see transitional ASOTYPE, the male sign can be a vertical line and the female can be a horizontal line. ASOTYPE's main purpose is to give people accurate information. The public toilet sign has gone beyond its original function of giving information. Instead, it now serves as an incorrect universal representation of men and women. These new abstract forms will be beneficial in terms of sexual equality, social goods and psychological understanding about human life.
Alternative Public Toilets ASOTYPE
| men’s public toilet | women’s public toilet |
Furthermore, by using sensors in the public ASOTYPE the signs become more than a static symbol. They can actually functions as a means of checking the availability status (vacant or occupied) before you enter a restroom.
An example: if there are six stalls in a women's restroom. The main sign on the door would indicate how many stalls are occupied and how many are vacant.
– the exsamples are on the stage
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