We see signs all the time, typically 50+ per day. Most are simplified line art, very simple, but most everyone interprets them instantaneously. We absorb them as part of our visual language. One doesn’t need to be able to read, or speak a specific language, they are universal. I find it funny how a circle with two dots and a line is almost always identified as a human face. Furthermore, if we curve the line, instantly emotion is brought into play, happy or sad depending on the direction of the bend.
Variations on the circle and the line mean so many different things. There meaning is very basic and not immediately implied, so I believe it is more of a culturally or socially learned association. For example, do not enter signs are red circles with a white stripe horizontal through the middle. Red because we associate that color with emergency and danger. Why, maybe because blood bleeds red, or to be more cerebral maybe it’s associated with fire. When I think about it fire isn’t really red, it’s more yellow and orange amber. Why the white stripe? I guess because it is symbolic of blocking a path.
When I look at the “NO” sign, I have no idea why it is what it is but it works. If I were to guess, the diagonal slash is almost like the motion of a hand gesturing disinterest or disapproval… I digress. 
Since the 1990s, a design movement has spurred out of this literary science fiction genre. The literary themes are derivative of the Victorian era perspective, and is informed by the scientific and technological capabilities of the 18th and 19th centuries. Some Steampunk stylized movies include “the Golden Compass” and “Steamboy.” The avante-garde design movement has now spread into art, fashion, and graphic design. The following are examples:
Steam Punk Computer that also brews beer.
http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/.
From the reading I identified with several of the topics discussed.
For my capstone project I am creating a book on the Apocalypse and other related 2012 prophecies. My initial idea was to create a National Geographic-esque book, heavily based upon realistic manipulated photos that depict said disaster. It was until I was in a focus group the other day that I changed my initial style concepts. The main idea I derived from the focus group was that I should allow some of my humourous instinct to influence my creative process. This poses the problem of turning some of the most terrifying disasters into fun, light-hearted illustrations, yet still remaining informative and relevant. I began drawing very simplified, yet detailed drawings with heavy use of thick and thin lines. I internally referenced the old Shel Silverstein children’s books. My end result were quirky illustrations, that in my mind scream children’s book for the apocalypse. This end result has sort of reverse engineered my initial concept from a bleek informative work into a darkly playful parody of the child literature genre. I think it is only fitting to make a book about the end of the world(as we know it) for kids because they will likely be the ones to experience it.
As a child I read comic books avidly and always enjoyed doodling, beyond that I loved skateboarding and music. It was through these general interests that I started realizing I loved design, whether it was the design on skateboard decks and t-shirts, or album cover artwork. I would by CDs and immediately rip them open to see how they were designed internally. By the time I got to high school I had formed a healthy love affair with Graffiti art. I remember thinking, “Wow… I can be creative and rebellious, which equals cool.” 
He sort of inspired me towards design, and it was around then I realized the graphic design is an amalgamation of all the things I enjoy: drawing, photography, creativity, computers, and most important money.
