Application of Icon in Sign Design of South Korean Rail Transportation

As the communication medium between human and spatial environment, sign design of urban rail transportation should present regional characteristics, cultural connotation and spirit of the era of the city. In commonness with character symbols, icons are visual symbols delivering information, of which the conciseness, intuition, understandability and easy-to-remember characteristics are irreplaceable compared to character symbols. Through related ideology theory of semiotics and communication science, taking the sign system design of Busan-Gimhae light rail in South Korea as an example, the design method to apply icon in urban rail transportation guidance system is developed, thus passenger travelling environment is improved and urban image connotation is enriched, providing reference and enlightenment for design of urban rail transportation guidance system in China.