Abstract
In Korea, most pictograms and sign words were mainly adopted from foreign countries, so that it is now in doubt whether they are in accordance with cognitive characteristics of the Korean people who communicate in their own unique language, Han-Geul. Thus, this research was aimed to investigate cognitive usability of foreign safety signs and pictograms now being used in Korea. For that purpose, a set of safety signs was randomly presented to the Korean people, and their cognition of hazard levels were rated by virtue of subjective scales and selective alternatives. In addition, safety sign words written in various colors were shown to the subjects, and their meanings as well as preference were asked.
According to the results, correct cognition rates to most pictograms were lower than the acceptance criterion of ISO, 66%. Out of the illustrated pictograms, only one sign standing for ‘No-Smoking’ was acceptable. In the meanwhile, the higher the hazard level, the lower subjects' cognition of the contingency. Besides, results of the Quantification Method showed that Koreans associated ‘Danger’ with colors of Red, Orange, or Yellow subsequently, whereas ‘Warning’ with Red or Purple.
Consequently, it is concluded that safety sign words and pictograms now being used in Korea fail to transmit hazard levels to the Korean people appropriately, and that it is quite urgent to develop a brand new set of safety sign words and pictograms based upon emotional characteristics of the Korean people, in Korea.
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