![[photo-1516589091380-5d8e87df6999.jpg]] Photo by [Tyler Nix](https://unsplash.com/@nixcreative?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/B4SVIpVoNGc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) This short article will guide you through discovery of the InfoSymbolism as a beginning of the "New Art & Architecture era" or as we describe it - a semantically based art for a daily use. > Kenneth Burke [2] goes on to describe symbols as also being derived from **Sigmund Freud**'s work on condensation and displacement, further stating that symbols are not just relevant to the theory of dreams but also to "normal symbol systems". He says they are related through "substitution", where one word, phrase, or symbol is substituted for another in order to change the meaning. In other words, if one person does not understand a certain word or phrase, another person may substitute a synonym or symbol in order to get the meaning across. ## What is InfoSymbolism and why do we need it? In short, we need easily recognizable representation of everything to communicate without barriers with full understanding of representation meaning. Easy one, is the toilet symbol at airport - everyone knows what it means although it might be depicted at different airport in different way, but ultimately it is a pictogram / symbol breaking culture and language barriers bridging cultures and age differentiators. > A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. [1] It is a great example of how we should communicate and understand conceptual representation within the context. Let's extend this idea to other objects, meanings, places, people. How do you personally see our success in doing that? Well, we don't think we are as good in that - as we were with first example. Now, we will be add into the mix additional problems we face today - in communication and generally knowledge recognition. Let's take a look: - **cross-pollination** of conceptual communication between machine:machine, human:human, machine:human - **diversity** of perspectives given by different cultures, communication tools, background, environments, role - changing **appearance** over the time and evolution level - behavioral **functionality** affected by expectations and requirements - **data**; collected and produced by implementation of concept, context and execution during the lifetime of construct - **representation** complexity, **flavor** and **longevity** of form ![[Pasted image 20230709101757.png|Figure 1: InfoSymbolism and concerns within the subject area]] Picture above summarizes all concerns in simple diagram (conceptually for any subject you can think off). It also positions InfoSymbolism in the center/middle as a representation form of the subject. The important part is the understanding that InfoSymbolism is not just a representation. It is also interaction point connecting subject design, architecture, information and art via semantically positioned symbols within the ecosystem. ## Let's take a look at the simple example Our example is a word "Sphere"; represented as an Information, Architecture, #Design and #Art as well as #InfoSymbolism recognized symbol. ![[Pasted image 20230709101841.png|Figure 2: Symbol positions / representations]] We will not dive into all representations but we can clearly see differences across all areas and particularly relations / patterns / values. InfoSymbolism is characterized by three attributes (characteristics): - Relations supported by Semantically based information - Patterns with symbol classes - Values by symbol sets with associated values ## Three characteristics of InfoSymbolism 1.**Semantically based**: Symbols are constructed from representation symbols stored in specific structure and their associated reference (semantic ID) within Semantic Catalog. Identification of symbols is fundamental for correct interpretation within the context of particular solution or environment (i.e. MetaX architecture), written in ecosystem language (using RDF/OWL/Json etc.) and distributed in compact data sets with associated semantic catalog. ![[Pasted image 20230709101915.png|Figure 3: InfoSymbolism: Semantically based]] 2.**Pattern Oriented**: Semantic Catalog organizes symbols into pattern classes. Pattern classes are inheritable at any level. Important principle applied here is that we can reference any symbol at any pattern class (M:M) to support context of representation. Diagram below shows pattern class "Governance" with symbol [FLAG] and reusable entities (i.e. country) with class related symbol - country flag i.e. [USA] flag. ![[Pasted image 20230709102023.png|Figure 4: InfoSymbolism: Pattern oriented]] 3.**Symbol Sets** are collections of symbols representing same semantic meaning with different representation. Symbol sets can be standardized / produced by industry, diversified by culture , or individual artistic representation. Diagram below shows simple example of "Made in Japan" with standard representation created / defined by standard body (with barcode); default representation used within the region or eCommerce systems; and personal representation selected by individual with specific cultural background. Major differentiation of symbol sets is their variability and ability to support target audience symbol preference within the context of desired result. ![[Pasted image 20230709102047.png|Figure 5:InfoSymbolismL Symbol sets]] ## Usage or a real-life scenarios There are specific use cases we believe are pivotal for implementation and usage of InfoSymbolism as a universal visual interpretation and interaction language for M:H/H:H/M:M communication. - Architecture: Design, architect, run and understanding of solution around us specifically in IT area, but generally across all industries. We are talking about interaction interfaces, manuals, translations, simplification of complex constructs and situations - Art: Bring art into our technical environments aiming to personalize individual preferences and interactions - Day in the life of a consumer: Use same symbols across all consumer products (i.e. power button symbol) with full recognition via IoT, enabling fully automated environments and connected components. Bring simplified visibility and interaction to all and connect symbols with personalized meanings to enable machine recognition of consumer needs in real time. - Education: Simplify learning and trainings by the set of symbols with the patterns and their meaning to easily combine concepts to speed-up understanding of advanced structures. - More, way more... --- InfoSymbolism is the missing piece of Ecosystem Architecture enabling system-wide understanding, interaction and representation of complexity in simple form (absent today) in almost all areas of daily life. We aim to change this status quo via fundamentally different approach to architecture , interaction and semantically based evolution to build sustainable and replicable ecosystems beyond our current efforts on this planet. ## References [1] Wikipedia; Definitions [2] Kenneth Burke; Language as Symbolic Action (1966) ## Related to [[InfoSymbolism is the universal language]]