This object is currently on display in room 107 as part of Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols. See our image rights statement.

 

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1972

  • Work on this object began.

2023

2025

  • You found it!

Digital Flipbook, Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols

This is a Digital Flipbook. It is dated 1972. Its medium is digital. It is a part of the department.

The Symbol Sourcebook begins with short essays by leading figures in design and language, including R. Buckminster Fuller, Charles K. Bliss, and Marie Neurath. Next, the Discipline section indexes symbols in alphabetically organized categories such as astronomy, engineering, folklore, medicine, music, photography, and safety. The Color section lays out the meanings of each color in different worldwide applications. Lastly, the Graphic Form section shows the diversity of symbols that share a certain shape.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318807690/ |title=Digital Flipbook, Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>