Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign...



Ever since I arrived here, I've been taking note of the signs and symbols that are used. Last winter semester, I had my CFC class with Overmyer, in which we were to analyze and redesign a symbol set for our final project. Coming to this country has made me look twice at symbols both here and in the US, analyzing their level of success. I noticed on my way into my residence, there is a sign for general electric danger which is simply a lightning bolt with an arrow on the end. That was actually one of the symbols I had attempted to redesign last year...and I came up with a much better design if I do say so myself :) But today I noticed this sign in the "Centro Santaigo --the center of the city which is a grid of shops, sidewalks, and a few streets-- and I found it particularly interesting. It was on one side of a street sign, apparently signaling a sort of cross walk. However the sign has no indication of caution or danger...it is merely the same grey and red color as the street sign, and blends right in... how ineffective... (I say this partly because one of my friends here was actually hit by a car last night... he thankfully walked away with only a few bruises, but with the way people drive here, one would think that they would at least make an attempt to better mark the cross walks)

I also took note today of the use of english words and advertising symbols here. I was on the bus this evening when I noticed a neon sign on a building, saying "BAR", with a giant martini glass sitting on top of it. Now I suppose it's reasonable to think that other countries use a martini glass to signify alcohol or a bar, but they used the actual word "bar" as well...I've noticed that with a few other things here too. For one, they use the word "super" here. They say "super bueno" and such...which is very peculiar. I also received a flyer for a "fiestafuck" the other day --a fuck party??? The party had nothing to do with either sex or swearing...but it was called a "fiestafuck" --odd...

While I'm on my "graphic design" kick here, I feel the need to mention how I've taken for granted the ability to recognize brands back in the US. I remember my first trip to the supermarket here was unbelievably overwhelming. I made it through the fruit isle, no problem, but when I came to items such as yogurt and crackers and cookies...I was completely lost. I didn't know what was good, what was bad, or anything... As a funny story, I have an update on the pouch that I thought was peanut butter....yeah...not so much... I cut it open the other day, and imagine my surprise when I realized that "manjar" was caramel...haha...good thing I like caramel...because I now have a whole pouch to eat...

On a slightly more random note, I saw my first fly today. I hadn't noticed the lack of insects until I saw one today. Well actually, now that I'm writing this, I saw one a week ago at Viña del Mar, but either way...I've been here for almost three weeks, and I've only seen two flys. And having seen a fly today, I thought about the complete lack of flying insects, and because of this, there are no screens on windows here --which i LOVE...there's nothing like being able to hang your head out the window to get a better view of the Andes when you wake up in the morning :)