Created as my final project for an MA in Visual Communication, A Sign of the Times explores how pictograms can decode the language of modern life. It began with a question: can a system of simple symbols express the cultural and linguistic complexity of our era? The work examines how design might translate emerging words and ideas into something universally readable, revealing how language evolves alongside technology and culture.

The outcome took the form of a minimal A6 pictographic dictionary, pairing each neologism with a custom-designed symbol and concise definition. The monochrome palette and structured layout echoed the clarity of traditional signage, while each pictogram left room for interpretation and nuance.

Part research, part visual experiment, the project became a study in how design can bridge communication gaps, a reflection on the shifting relationship between words, symbols, and shared understanding in the 21st century.