The Pictograph Project - The Beginning

In the initial stages of the pictograph project, I was a little unclear on just what I was supposed to do. Under the impression that I was trying to create an image akin to that of the "gas tank" shown to us in class, I endeavored to create a series of 30 thumbnails that tried to impart some great activist statement. My first series I created concerning one of my great interests, nuclear weapons. I've always had a horrific interest in these devices, and have expressed this in projects ranging from a Comp paper on non-proliferation and disarmament to a few pieces of artwork previously. I also created a series on global warming, but a little less successfully I'm afraid. Upon arriving to class, I discovered that I had misinterpreted my instructions, and was supposed to have created thumbnails for a series of different signage.
So I was under a little bit of a time crunch, but I think I came up with a few good ideas. At first I was having an extremely difficult time with thinking of subjects that would need signs. I finally hit upon water and water related activities. Some of my thumbnails, like the ones for water-skiing, no propellers, and banana boat rides, are much less successful or unoriginal than some of my others. Talking with Adrienne later, we decided I should focus on either the idea of jellyfish-infested waters, or perhaps working on an improved lifeguard symbol.
My next set I developed in class was based on my recent travel experiences. I traveled to Malta and Tunisia for J-term, and as my (sadly) first time abroad, there was a degree of confusion that (in retrospect) could have been simplified with a good sign. Things that would communicate ideas like have your passport ready, money-changer here, and wave-your-arms like-mad-to-actually-get-the-bus-to-stop would have been beneficial. However, we narrowed down the field to a depiction of putting your shoes through the X-ray machine or perhaps a symbol trying to impress that were "NO PUBLIC BATHROOMS!!!" Here are some images from my sketchbook of the thumbnails, I even included some of my activist ones.