THE ART OF SIMPLIFICATION
By Devin Singh
The Advocate
The iconography triangle you see here is a representation of different styles of visual communication and art, and how they relate to one another. It was created by Scott McCloud in his acclaimed 1993 book, Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, where he dedicates a whole chapter to exploring the triangle and what it can be used for.
On the left side of the triangle is art that is more representative of reality, or more realistic, which can be used to represent an individual or something very specific.
On the right, or what McCloud refers to as the meaning or iconic side, art becomes simpler and less detailed, representing ideas rather than specific individuals. Even something as simple as a smiling face, like the one above, can represent something many people relate to because it has been broken down into basic recognizable features.
At the top of the triangle is the “picture plane,” is where art is broken down into simple shapes and forms, sometimes losing its recognizable subject and becoming more abstract.
Overall, this triangle is a guide to help you understand where a particular piece of art stands.
I challenge you to consider where you place your favorite characters from visual media along this triangle – or even try drawing something alongside it yourself!
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