Chapter 3 Communicating Design Ideas
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Forms of Communication
All forms of communication use a code or symbols. For example, dog
and perro are letter symbols that communicate the idea of a certain animal.
However, the same message can be given in a quite different “language.”
See Figure 3-3.
Hand Signals and Sounds
Simple movements or sounds can replace spoken and written messages.
Look at Figure 3-4A. These are signals that most people anywhere in the
world would understand. Can you think of other signals that you might
use? What about the signal to be quiet?
What about sound signals? If you know any Morse code, you will
recognize the dots and dashes being sent out by the ship in Figure 3-4B as
“S.O.S.,” the international distress signal. People of all languages know
this signal.
Humans are not the only earth dwellers that exchange messages with
sounds and body language. Sea animals, such as dolphins and whales,
have systems of sound to exchange messages among themselves. Deer
and beaver use their tails to signal danger.
gure 3-3. Dogs can communicate various
messages, such as when a stranger approaches,
when they need to go outside, or when they
are hungry.
B
gure 3-4. Many hand signals and sounds
have well-known meanings. What message
is being sent in each of these pictures?