Icons are some of the most universal communication tools we have—reaching across languages and geographies. However, icons can also enforce binaries and hierarchies of power. Why does a “chef” icon show a man, while a “cook” depicts a woman? I wanted to incorporate the concept of data feminism into this project and disrupt some of these common assumptions. Trail maps often rely heavily on icons as wayfinding materials—demarcating different trails and facilities. I decided to refresh the trail map for Smith College’s MacLeish Field Station, using imagery from the Noun Project, an organization that is committed to creating inclusive imagery. I researched the history of each trail name and selected icons that demonstrated its historic use.
Icons
