However, there is one design that most designers agree is the best and most effective.

無論如何，只有一個設計是大多設計師都認同是最好且最有效的標誌。

That's the ISO graphic symbol for emergency exits, designed by Japanese graphic designer Yukio Ota.

那就是 ISO 緊急逃生出口的標誌，是由日本圖案設計師太田幸夫所設計。

Well, I should say, most of us outside of the US agree that it's the best.

我應該說美國以外的人都認為那個標誌是最好的。

If you live in the US, or maybe elsewhere, you may be skeptical, but I'm here to try to convince you otherwise.

如果你住在美國或其他地方，你可能會有疑慮，所以我在這要用其他方法說服你。

In the late 1970s, a Japanese fire safety association held a contest for a new national exit sign design.

在 1970 年代晚期，日本消防安全協會舉辦了一個為全國設計逃生出口標誌的比賽。

Entries underwent extensive user testing to evaluate their effectiveness in smokey environments.

參賽作品要接受大量的實用性測試，評估它們在濃煙環境下的有效性。

The winner, among over 3,000 entries, was Yukio Ota's design.

在 3,000 多件作品中，勝出者是太田幸夫的作品。

Ota's primary design philosophy is to create universal symbols that transcend language barriers.

幸夫最初的設計理念是創造出能夠跨越語言隔閡的通用標誌。

That vision, at least for this particular design, was realized in 1985 when ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, adopted the Japanese exit sign as a part of their standards for safety signs.

對於這種特殊設計而言，這個願望實現了。1985 年，國際標準化組織採用日本的逃生出口標誌，並作為他們的安全標誌標準。

ISO was founded in 1947 to unify standards across nations and better facilitate international trade.

ISO 成立於 1947 年，用意在統一各國標準，並促進更好地國際貿易。

There are ISO standards for just about everything, from the classifications of shipping containers to standards for brewing tea.

從運輸容器的分類到泡茶的標準，幾乎所有東西都有 ISO 標準。

Ota's design is now used all over the world.

現在幸夫的設計被廣泛運用在全球。

Certain regions sometimes use a variation it, but essentially, the green and white running figure can be found everywhere from China to Czech Republic to France and to Canada.

某些地區會使用變化版，但其實在中國、捷克、法國和加拿大都能看到白底小綠人跑步的圖案。

So, why is this a good design?

為什麼這是一個好的設計？

Well, first, it's doesn't require you to know the language the sign happens to be in.

首先，你不用知道標誌上使用的語言。

Our world is becoming increasingly globalized.

我們的世界正在變得更全球化。

I live in a city with a pretty large immigrant population who aren't all fluent in English.

我所在的城市有一大批英文講得不是很流利的移民人口。

But maybe you think, "If someone is moving to a new country, they should learn basic words like 'exit".”

但或許你會想「如果有人搬去一個新的國家，他們應該要學基本語言，像『出口』。」

Okay, yes, probably.

或許要吧。

But what about tourists, young children, and people with reading-related disabilities?

但對遊客、小孩和有閱讀障礙的人來說呢？

Overall, a pictogram-based sign is just more accessible.

整體來說，一個圖案為基礎的標誌是較好理解的。

But why is this particular design better than other pictogram based signs?

但為什麼這個特別的標誌會比其他以圖案為基礎的標誌好呢？

Well, because it's a simple design, but it communicates a lot.

因為就算這只是一個簡單的圖案，還是能夠說出許多事。

The figure appears to be running out of a doorway, but running steadily and calmly as opposed to sprinting and rushing.

人的圖案似乎要從門往外跑，但跑得穩定又冷靜，而不是衝撞和奔跑。

Because, in an emergency, you want people to move swiftly, but without panicking.

因為在緊急情下中，你會希望人們不要恐慌，而是要迅速地移動。

According to Ota, they finessed the design back and forth 58 times before settling on the final design.

根據幸夫所說，他們在決定最終設計之前，前前後後共優化了 58 次。

As designers, we're often accused of squabbling over seemingly tiny details.

身為設計師，我們很常被指控說為了看似微小的細節而爭吵。

Yeah, I'll admit, some of us are probably a little crazy.

對，我承認是，有些設計師可能有點瘋。

But it's mostly because these details matter.

但大多是因為這些細節很重要。

It's our job is to communicate design intent to the end user in the most simple and direct way.

我們的工作是以最簡單和直接的方式，將最終設計目的傳達給客戶。

And, in this particular context of developing an international design for emergency situations, no small detail should be overlooked.

在這個為國際在緊急情況時設計的特殊背景下，不應忽視任何小細節。

Lastly, there is the debate about color.

最近有一個關於配色的討論。

A key aspect of good design is providing users with consistent expectations.

一個好作品的關鍵模樣是讓客戶有一致性的期待。

Most exit signs in the US and Canada are red.

在美國、加拿大的逃生標誌多為紅色。

However, red is usually used to represent concepts like "Danger", "Stop", and "Do Not Enter".

然而紅色通常會被用來呈現「危險」、「停止」、「禁止進入」的概念。

So, it's kind of inconsistent to also use red to represent "Go that way; it's safe".

所以用紅色來表示「走這邊；是安全的」會有種矛盾感。

I live in Canada where traditional exit signs are the red EXIT or SORTIE signs.

我住在加拿大，這裡傳統的逃生和出口標誌都是紅色的。

But, in 2010, the National Building Code finally adopted the ISO exit design.

但在 2010 年時，國家建築法規終於採用了 ISO 的逃生出口標誌。

It is now mandatory in new buildings or buildings undergoing extensive renovation.

現在的新建築或在大翻修的建築都要強制安裝。

So, why doesn't the US adopt the ISO sign?

那為什麼美國不採用 ISO 標誌呢？

Well, it's hard to say.

這很難說。

Maybe it's because the US is a lot more monolingual than countries in Europe and Asia.

或許是因為比起歐洲和亞洲，美國有很多只會說單一語言的人。

And maybe that's why Canada eventually caught on, since we have two official languages.

這或許也是加拿大最後跟進的原因，因為我們有兩個官方語言。

I don't really know.

我不知道欸。

If you live in the US, leave a comment.

如果你住美國，在底下留言告訴我。

And maybe you live in a place where the exit sign looks different than any of the one I've shown.

或許我展示的逃生標誌跟你所住的地方看起來不太一樣。

I'd love to see them; let me know in the comments below.

在底下留言告訴我，我想看看是長怎樣。

Speaking of Canada and fire emergencies, did you know the Canadian government deliberately burned down a village in 1958?

說到加拿大和火災，你知道加拿大政府在 1958 年時故意燒毀了一座村莊嗎？

To learn more about that, why don't we head over to Tom Scott's channel...

想知道更多的話，那就去 Tom Scott 的頻道吧。

Hi!

嗨！

... where he dies.

他跑去哪了。

I'm fine. I'm fine.

我很好。

Slippy down there.

往下滑。