IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

I was tasked with creating symbols for the IEEE agency based on their guidelines for hazard labeling of endocrine disrupting chemicals. This involved designing labels for various scenarios like chemicals, consumer products, and more, aiming to indicate potential risks. I was commissioned by the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society agency to design symbols that communicate the risks posed by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can cause long-lasting damage across generations. EDCs, found in various products, interfere with hormonal systems and can lead to cancer, birth defects, and developmental disorders. These persistent chemicals are challenging to eliminate, and their effects might resemble subtle imbalances rather than acute poisonings, even affecting future generations. The goal was to create a universal warning symbol, inspired by hazard symbols for other dangers, to enhance awareness, safety, trade ethics, and responsible consumption. EDCs/POPs attributes as ‘forever chemicals’ oblige us to consider future civilizations as well as our own. This is why the symbol needed to be instinctively unnerving at a universal level – danger, stay away! Below is my icon design submission, with example implementations. The central symbol is a stylized dioxin molecule, flanked by three radiative blades symbolizing congenital defects, infertility, and chronic disease. These elements together convey an instinctive sensation of danger, irrespective of familiarity with the symbol’s meaning. Key work: Custom icon design