Final answer:
A pictogram is an image that represents an idea or concept, such as hieroglyphics or the Smokey Bear symbol. Both ancient and modern examples, including logos, use pictograms to convey messages visually. They can be found in historical contexts as well as in modern graphic design and safety signage.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pictogram is a form of graphical symbol or image that conveys a certain concept, idea, or information through its illustrative resemblance to a physical object or a notion. For example, hieroglyphics used in ancient Egypt, which include symbols that may represent objects, sounds, or a combination of both, are classic examples of pictograms. Over time, these evolved into more stylized forms for different purposes such as sacred writing on temple walls. Another modern example is Smokey Bear, a symbol developed to communicate the message of preventing forest fires. Images of Smokey Bear, often depicted with a ranger's hat and reading letters, have become iconic in American culture, representing environmental protection efforts.
Moreover, in the field of graphic design, logos are extensively used as a form of pictography to represent corporate identities. Designers create logos that communicate the essence of a company in a visually memorable and recognizable way. Similarly, symbols such as the radioactive danger symbol serve a pictographic function to quickly communicate a warning or hazard without the use of words.