The Hidden Story Behind the Safety Signs
Who is Mr. Picto?
He is the little green figure that can be seen everywhere in the evacuation signs in our daily lives.
The Birth of "Mr. Picto"
It was born in Japan in the early 1970s. Due to several major fires that caused heavy casualties, in 1978, the Japanese Fire Safety Association launched a competition for the design of “emergency escape exit” signs. Finally, the “little green man” designed by Matsunori Ogawa stood out among 3,337 design submissions.
In the initial design, the lines were simple and clear, presenting a bright and distinct appearance. The color green, which is commonly associated with “safety” in many cultures, was used, contrasting sharply with the red and grey of the fire scene.
In 1979, Professor Tabei Kojiro from Tohoku University of Fine Arts made modifications to the original version, resulting in the version we can see today. It gained wide international recognition and became a universal safety exit symbol worldwide in 1987.
Meanwhile, the little green man gradually evolved into the little yellow man and the little black man, appearing on various warning signs.
Around 2003, the Japanese gave him a name: “Picto-san”, Mr. Picto, derived from the first half of the word “pictogram”.
Various Kinds of "Mr. Picto" Logos
Due to the simple and classic design of “Mr. Picto” and his history of using various tragic experiences to warn people about safety, he gradually gained his own fans. The Japanese even published a book about him, collecting his appearances on safety signs all over the world. Mr. Picto has also become a frequent target of fan-made parodies.
Now let’s take a look at all kinds of Mr. Picto.
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