Hackerspace pictogram

Proposed: a pictogram for representing hackerspaces

Rationale

Many established kinds of buildings, rooms, and even activities have pictograms that are recognised by people around the world. Hackerspaces are no longer rare, and it might be useful to have a pictogram for them, just like there are pictograms for restaurants, hotels, and hospitals.

These icons are often used where logos would be inappropriate, or where fast recognition is important. You will typically see a lot of symbols on road signs and maps. Pictograms are typically monochrome and symbolic, and (almost) square.

The hackerspace pictogram is based on the hacker emblem, which in turn is a graphic representation of a glider pattern from the Game of Life. The square grid was removed for simplicity, and a house-like shape was added to convey that hackerspaces are buildings (or at least, in buildings). The house-like shape was inspired by the Dutch road pictogram for parking garages.

Why the "glider" hacker emblem?

Even if not everybody will recognise it (yet...), including many hackerspace-visitors, the hacker emblem is actually an established symbol. Just do an image search (Google Images, DuckDuckGo Images) for "hacker symbol" and you will find it.

Other symbols that are typically used to represent hacking or hackers, often carry a very specific connotation, like wrenches, Guy Fawkes masks, space invaders, and hackerized jolly roger flags. The glider is a more universal symbol. Some people don't like it, but before you complain or suggest alternatives, please read the hacker emblem FAQ at http://www.catb.org/hacker-emblem/faqs.html

Use

Use it to indicate hackerspaces.

Does our space qualify as a hackerspace?

If you have hackers and a space, sure. Some guidance on who should or shouldn't use the hacker emblem that's embedded in the hackerspace pictogram, is provided at the hacker emblem website.

Variations

Go ahead, use different sizes or aspect ratios, colors, etcetera. The purpose of this proposal is not to strictly limit users of the pictogram, but to suggest a rough shape. Adapt it to your own culture or aesthetics. A "glider" pattern under a roof, that's the main idea.

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  suggested by Kartoffel

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  no walls, different roof

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  cleaner version, just a roof

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  last image as a traffic sign

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  modified original image as a traffic sign

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  Original as a Dutch traffic sign (BW101)

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