Although I captured well over 20 images of arrows in the past couple of days, my eye is still drawn to them. Just as Phil Patton did, “I started looking for arrows and soon I couldn’t avoid them.” Before completing this project, the arrows around me went unnoticed; however, in my quest to take 20 pictures of 20 different arrows I soon ended up with around 50.
After sifting through the many arrows I found, I finally narrowed it down to 20. While this first image is not an arrow, I believe its shape is a great indicator as to why arrows are most often used to symbolize direction.
I found this image in a Where’s Waldo book (yes-Where’s Waldo, direct from the early ‘90s). It caught my eye as my son and I were searching for Waldo. As I stated earlier, I simply couldn’t stop finding arrows so the rocket’s resemblance to an arrow quickly caught my eye. I began thinking about the shape of the rocket and how it’s pointy tip directs air to the sides to eliminate drag. I soon realized that arrows do the same thing. The pointed tip of the arrow directs our eyes towards the end of the arrow, thus stimulating movement. As Patton stated in Setting Sights on the Arrow, “It radiates a sense of direction by its very shape.” It’s no surprise that arrows are used most commonly on our roadways.
Both of these images were captured at intersections coming off of the freeway. Can you image approaching an intersection without arrows directing us where to go? While we may know the roads we travel most often, arrows are very convenient (and necessary) on roads we are not familiar with. Patton states, “Arrows grab for the eye of the motorist and demand a maneuver of the same geometry.” It is very important for drivers to be able to quickly look at an arrow and know where to go or how to get to where they need to go.
This image signifies direction as well.
The airplane symbol along with the arrow pointing left indicates that drivers looking for the airport should turn left.
Arrows on our roadways not only signify direction, but function as well. The following arrows illustrate how lanes function.
The first image shows drivers that another lane will be added next to theirs while the second shows drivers that another lane will be merging into theirs.
This arrow signifies function as well. It was found off to the side of a turning lane indicating that drivers in that lane could only turn right.
The following arrow signifies a specific area.
While the “no parking” symbol notifies drivers that they are not allowed to park, the two-sided arrow informs drivers as to where they are not allowed to park.
Arrows are used to signify direction on many different items.
I found this arrow on my husband’s air compressor. The arrow begins with a tip at the end of the arrow and gradually gets larger as it reaches the point. This draws the eye from the end of the arrow to the point indicating that the knob should be turned in the same direction. Following the instructions of the arrow will increase the pressure in the compressor.
This arrow on the top of a can of WD-40 signifies direction in a different manor. The arrow indicates the direction in which the lubricant leaves the can, just in case the user didn’t notice the long, red tube in which the product exits through.
This arrow was found on a plastic case that houses a few of my husband’s tools. The arrow points to the right indicating that the black latch must be slid to the right to open the case.
The following arrows were found on my remote.
The numerous arrows on the remote all signify different things, but all represent either “up” or “down.” While the volume and channel buttons are labeled with a “+” and a “-,” they are in the shape of an arrow indicating either “up” or “down.” Pushing the top of the volume button will increase the volume, while pushing the bottom of the arrow will decrease the volume.
The following arrows signify location rather than direction.
This arrow was found on my dashboard. The arrow points to the left of the gas pump icon signifying that the gas tank is located on the left side. This was very helpful when I noticed that I had less than a quarter tank of gas.
The hands on this clock closely resemble arrows but rather than direction they signify location. The pointed tip of the hands point to the exact time.
The arrow on this tape measure signifies location as well showing exactly where 1 foot is located.
This arrow was found on the top of our pool pump. The tip of the arrow indicates the exact PSI.
With both sides of the following lock exactly the same, it could be easy for some people to be unsure whether it is locked or not. Luckily, this arrow clearly indicates which side the lock is on; if the arrow is pointing towards the door, it is unlocked; if the arrow is pointing towards the doorframe, it is locked.
I found this next arrow inside my refrigerator. The downward-pointing arrow signifies which level the freezer control is set to.
My final arrows revert back to the arrows most significant purpose. As Phil Patton stated in Setting Sights on the Arrow, “the arrow is about that abstract idea—direction.” The following arrows were found on my son’s pillowcase.
Construction, especially in the eyes of a little boy, is loud and fast passed; what better way to signify that than with arrows. The arrows provide movement and direction to the stationary images making it fun and fast.
Whether it be with our vehicles, our hands, or our eye, "we will always lead with and be led by the arrow."
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