Interactions Between the 3 Levels of Meaning:

An example of design I that I feel clearly expresses the 3 levels of meaning would be the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (it also goes with my background picture!)

Representational: On the whole, this car represents a form of transportation; it obviously represents a car. The impact it has upon its user is the way in which it is able to transport them from point A to point B. It relates to the other levels meaning due to the fact that it not only incorporates Symbols and Abstractions, but they are also vital to the safety of the car and its identity (continue reading for an explanation!)

Abstract: The role of the abstract plays a major role on this car. It may not be obvious, but it is present in the Oldsmobile brand's logo. It is an absraction of a rocket shooting into space, representative of lofty aspirations and positivity. It also is emblematic of the space age, and era when Oldsmobiles were quite popular. The impact of this abstraction on the user would be one of identification of which brand of car they owned, and one that would bring pride in owning the car. The Olds brand was positioned above Chevrolet and Pontiac in the GM brand hierarchy, which meant an Oldsmobile was a car for the upper middle class and accomplished professional. This abstraction relates to the other to levels by identifying the car, and also symbolizing the financial status of the driver.

Symbolism: On the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, symbolism abounds. On the dashboard, there are numbers to symbolize the speed the car is going, as well as gauges which symbolize fluid and fuel levels, temperature, distance, and time. The car itself also symbolizes a major leap forward in technology, due to the fact that it was the first large car to feature front wheel drive since the expensive Cord automobile of the 30s. The symbols of the dashboard communicate vital information to the driver, and the symbolism of the car itself would make an owner feel proud and important to know that they were driving such an innovative car from GM's "experimental division". The symbolism of the Toronado relates to the representational and abstract levels of meaning through the way that the gauges keep the car safe and in a running state, and the symbols also reflect upon the pride and technolgical prowess of the Oldsmobile brand, which is identified in the depiction of the Rocket in the last picture.