Graphic Communication

Signs & Symbols

Signs

 Signs are used to convey information in

pictorial form.
 This has many advantages over written
instructions.
 People who talk different languages can
understand the same common signs.
 Instructions for some tasks can be
clearer when given as drawings.
Signs & Symbols

 Signs & symbols are commonly used in

everyday situations.
 Roadsigns, information, engineering
symbols, flow charts and circuit
diagrams are types of drawings that you
will need to know about for your exams.
Signs

 There are different families of signs.

 These are:
– mandatory signs
– prohibition signs
– warning signs
– safety signs
– danger signs
Signs - Mandatory signs

 These signs are blue in colour.

 They give a positive instruction. In other
words they tell you what to do rather
than what not to do.

Turn left
Signs - Prohibition signs

 These signs are circular with a line

across the circle.
 They are red in colour.

No smoking
Signs - Warning signs

 These signs are yellow.

 They are normally triangular but can be
other shapes.
Signs - Safety Signs

 These signs tell people of safe places to

go or safe conditions.
Drawing Symbols

 The 3rd Angle Projection symbol is

shown below.
 This is normally included on a drawing
to tell people the standard it is drawn in.
Drawing Symbols

 Different line types used include:

– outlines
– projection lines
– hidden detail
– centre lines
– cutting planes
– fold lines
Drawing Symbols - Outlines

 Outlines are used to show the outline of

an object.
 They are thicker than projection lines.
 Drawn at 0.7mm thick.
Drawing Symbols - Projection Lines

 Projection lines are used to help

construct a drawing.
 They are not part of the outline of the
drawing and are drawn lightly and thin.
Drawing Symbols - Hidden Detail

 Hidden detail lines are used to show

any part of an object that cannot be
seen but does exist.
 They are dashed lines.
Drawing Symbols - Centre Lines

 Centre lines are used to show the

centre of circles or lines of symmetry.
 They are drawn as a series of long and
short dashes.
Drawing Symbols - Cutting Planes
 Cutting planes are used to show where an
object is cut in a sectional drawing.
 The arrows tell us what direction the cut is to
be viewed.
 The letters are the label of the section.
 The ends of the cutting plane are drawn
slightly thicker than the rest of it.

X X
Drawing Symbols - Fold Lines

 Fold lines are used to show where

surface developments should be folded.
Building Symbols

 Engineers need to use symbols to show

the different materials used in building a
house.
 This is law as when submitting planning
permission a company must be able to
prove the quality of the houses or
buildings they want to build.
Building Symbols

 These are some common symbols that

you will need to remember.

Shower tray
Sink top Sink

Bath Radiator Washbasin

Building Symbols

 These are some common symbols that

you will need to remember.

In-line valve Window

Sawn wood
(any type)

Door Junctions
Crossover
Building Symbols

 These are some common symbols that

you will need to remember.

Switch Brickwork
Bulb

Socket Concrete
Insulation
Location Plans

 This type of drawing shows the position

of the new building in its surrounding
area.
 It is as if you are looking at the building
from an aeroplane above.
 It is normally drawn to a scale of
1:1250.
Location Plans
 This is an example of a location plan.
Site Plans

 This type of drawing shows the building

from closer in than a Location Plan.
 It is like a bird is looking down at it.
 It shows the building in its immediate
surrounding area.
 It is normally drawn at a scale of 1:200.
Site Plans
 This is an example of a site plan.
Floor Plans

 This type of drawing shows the internal

layout of a building including the
materials used in the walls.
 Any electrical appliances fitted will also
be drawn like, radiators, electrical
sockets and switches.
 This type of drawing is normally drawn
at a scale of 1:50.
Floor Plans

 This is an
example of a
floor plan.