5.2.2.3 THE ICONIC OBJECT

Until now, Icon Classes and Icons were distinct systems from Object Classes and Objects. The two are united within the iconic object. As with de Saussure's sign, an iconic object (S) is an ordered pair comprising an icon I and an object O.

(EQ 4) S = <I, O>

Figure 59 (a) illustrates the object-icon link which makes the iconic object. Two instances of the iconic object are pictured, both having the same underlying object. Example (b) shows the rib_critique, whatever that might be, as being represented by a visual rib, while (c) indicates the rib_critique object as being unified with the text frame icon.

Figure 59 Iconic Objects