Handy Design

By Bradley J Duban

semiotics in rhetoric.

The Symbol in Context

wo people strollwalking at the end of a first date of giddiness and awkward conversation. They quell their discomfort, however, with a universal gesture; a human interaction without cultural or national context: They hold hands as a symbol for their desire to be social, informing one another of their humanity and basic desires. Hands may perhaps be the simplest, and most iconic symbol for humans and their experiences. Every persons hands are imbedded with the stories of their lives, the things they have touched, created or destroyed-- and while these experiences, scars and fingerprints differ from one person to another, it is through our hands that we compile this experience that is simultaneous personal and universal. Within the collection of images posted on Pinterest, several were either focused on the symbolic nature of the hand, or used hands as an integral part of an image. While there is a multitude of manners by which artists can use the hand to tell a story or persuade an audience, it is noteworthy that my peers repeatedly opted to upload these visual arguments for the sake of rhetoric. Because of this, I believe there is a richness and complexity behind the image of a hand, which has been manipulated and reenvisioned by designers for various purposes via the techniques and tools of visual rhetoric and design.

Fig. 1 I have chosen make use of this symbol largely in the same fashion: the hand as a symbol for humans. I consider this aspect of the hand as a symbol to be its most distinguishable quality. When viewers see a hand in an image, they are immediately reminded of their own hands. The image is relatable to all hand-having humans-- an experience that unifies viewers through a shared experience. In the images Ive selectedmaintaining the simplicity of the symbol seems to give it the most weight. Reducing the separation between the signifier and the signified serves to highlight the hands intrinsic meaning, by allowing the symbol to serve its purpose on its own. Figure 2 is a hand intended to look like a dove, which concisely conveys the idea of human peace. The image is an iconographic slogan, or compound word, comprising of two distinct symbols. In this way the symbol can remain concise yet effective, which constitutes the most fundamental form of applied

Humans have hands unlike any other animal; opposable thumbs allow us to create, hold and manipulate objects. Similarly, rhetoricians reflexively use their hands to create images of hands that have the potential to speak volumes through this single symbol. The images

The Hand As A Symbol

designers of these images have used the human element of the hand as a symbol for unity and social bonds like in Figure 1, the filth in figure 5 reminds viewers of a dirtier side of human interaction. Another layer is added to the symbolism when the dirty hand is put in place of a doorknob, which establishes a context for the hand. The image, which is part of an ad campaign for hand sanitizer, alters the associations we have about hands from something we can connect through into something we should avoid because it can be harmful to our health. The germs in connection with the hand still address its social element, though in a less positive context. The context of these images create the manner by which the hand will be interpreted symbolically. It establishes what lens the symbolic meaning behind the hand will be understood through, allowing that meaning to shift if necessary for the purpose, as with the dirty hand. The henna-painted, palms in Figure 3 require prerequisite knowledge for understanding the cultural and marital Fig. 2 meaning though the fact that the image is comprised of only the hands of the bride-tobe, rather than, say, the wedding dress or groom. By depicting only the hands, the image may stand alone with a different meaning,

While most of the

multi-armed mutant, but rather a normal man who, like viewers, feels that the various tasks he undertakes might as well mean he has six arms. The mood of seriousness in the image, along with the element of time convey a relatable idea, but which is only depicted with the mans hands.

The Hand as an Argument

Good design involves the utilizaFig. 3 palms in Figure 3 require prerequisite knowledge for understanding the cultural and marital meaning though the fact that the image is comprised of only the hands of the bride-to-be, rather than, say, the wedding dress or groom. By depicting only the hands, the image may stand alone with a different meaning, perhaps one that is simply aesthetically pleasing or representative of foreign culture as a whole. Likewise, the surrealist photograph by Philippe Halsman in Figure 4 illustrates the busy, multi-tasking lifestyle many people are more than familiar with. Again, the context that the artist chose for the subjects hands dictates the manner in which the symbol is read by the viewer. Several images of the man partaking in the same activities would not convey the same message, either. He is conveying the idea of time, as well as what the hands do during that time by giving the man multiple arms. The photograph does not give the impression that the subject is intended to be a

tion and consideration of a number of elements, many of which are borrowed from the language of rhetoric. In the tradition of Greek rhetoricians like Aristotle, rhetoric is the art of persuasion, and when done properly, it serves a purpose which can be anything from conveying a message to selling a product.

is dirty from other humans who are unclean. The photograph of the clasped hands has a different message, but a clear purpose. By juxtaposing blue paint with two hands, an image of the world is implied, again utilizing the symbol for the purpose of unity. The message is abstract, though, yet still effective. It could be read as encouraging for world peace, like the image of the dove, or perhaps culteral tolerance is the message, since the hands appear to be of different ethnicities. Regardless, the image makes an argument intended to alter the way the viewer thinks about the human experience, simply by brushing a little blue paint on two hands.

You Gotta Hand It To Em

of these images have managed to do several things well through their compositions. They make use of a simple symbol to which humans can understand and relate, without using a single word. The images are also concise; they are not cluttered with extraneous elements that would better convey their ideas, nor are they intended to be viewed in ambiguous ways. The human hand in the context of these images may differ slightly in meaning, but each attempts to instill in viewers the idea of the human experience, however that may differ from one person to another.

The creators

Fig. 5

Fig. 4 Several of the images in this collection intend to sway the opinion of viewers in both subtle and obvious ways, through the use of the hand as a symbol. The hand sanitizer ad campaign has a clear message: Buy this sanitizer because the public world