# PictoClarity Framework - Artifact: PictoClarity public method reference - Canonical HTML URL: https://pictoclarity.com/framework/ - Markdown URL: https://pictoclarity.com/md/framework/ - Language: en - Primary topic: pictogram clarity risk screening ## Definition PictoClarity is an evidence-screening framework for estimating pictogram and icon clarity risk before user testing. It estimates semantic transfer, perceptual clarity, visual robustness, cultural robustness, temporal drift, and neurocognitive transfer risk from scoped evidence. ## Core Position - Recognition is not transfer. - Recognizing a visible object does not prove that the intended action or message was understood. - AAC-style transfer is a baseline requirement for every symbolic communication artifact. - Public signage, AAC communication, safety labels, packaging, and wayfinding apply the strictest cap when transfer is weak. - Scores are screening estimates, not certifications or observed comprehension rates. - Human testing remains first-order validation evidence. ## Evidence Lanes - Fixed evidence: semantic transparency, form cohesion, confusion, readability, contrast, size, blur, stroke, silhouette, and export robustness. - Contextual evidence: task fit, application setting, label support, and workflow risk. - Cultural evidence: convention, shared recognition, semantic obsolescence, cohort familiarity, and evidence reliability. - Adaptive evidence: AAC baseline transfer risk and support needs across cognitive profiles. ## Formula Structure These public formulas describe structure, not private calibration. - STS: `STS = transfer(visible_form, intended_message, context)` - PCH: `PCH = 1 - average_distance(features)` - CRI: `CRI = sum(distance(icon, neighbors))` - VRS: `VRS = readability(features, stress)` - RTS: `RTS = legibility(size, blur, contrast)` - SRS: `SRS = (R16 + R24 + R32) / 3` - BRS: `BRS = edge_survival(sigma) + contrast_survival(sigma)` - TCS: `TCS = stability(contrast, target)` - SDS: `SDS = durability(stroke, scale, contrast)` - SFS: `SFS = fidelity(silhouette, bounds, complexity)` - NDS: `NDS = 1 - noise(negative_detail)` - BBS: `BBS = balance(bounds, canvas)` - CPS: `CPS = preservation(compression, detail)` - PDS: `PDS = density(px, min_target)` - ORS: `ORS = robustness(orientation, silhouette)` - CAS: `CAS = contrast_wcag(cvd)` - CRS: `CRS = cos(task, icon)` - ALS: `ALS = 1 when CRS < tau_c and STS < tau_s, otherwise 0` - RRS: `RRS = recognition(object, time, culture)` - FAS: `FAS = p(action | object, context)` - SOS: `SOS = 1 - function_retention(object, time)` - CSS: `CSS = trend + scholar + web_signal` - ERS: `ERS = reliability(volume, span, citations, recency)` - MTS: `MTS = transfer(source_object, target_action)` - TDS: `TDS = drift(generation, time)` - GDS: `GDS = variance(comprehension | cohort)` - CLL: `CLL = learned_convention(visible_form, action, cohort, context_inference)` - NTR: `NTR = aac_risk(visible_form, intended_action, context_inference, support)` - SPS: `SPS = persistence(recognition, meaning, time, CLL)` - OBS: `OBS = obsolescence(object, evidence, metaphor)` - CBB: `CBB = min birth year where CLL_y >= DOF_y` - CTS: `CTS = abs(PCS_oldest - PCS_youngest) / n` - QUT: `QUT = average(user_score_i)` - CNS: `CNS = sigma(cultural_interpretability)` - DRS: `DRS = diversity(culture, spread)` - TABS: `TABS = 1 - frequency(time) / max(frequency)` - SES: `SES = composability(ontology_primitives)` - SPI: `SPI(t) = a(t) PFORM(t) + b(t) PCONVENTION(t) + SSB(t)` - CONV AREA: `area_conv = polygon_area(a_1 ... a_n)` - CONV BAL: `balance_conv = 1 - 2 sigma(a_1 ... a_n)` - PCS: `PCS = combine(fixed, context, culture, adaptive)` ## Metric Reference Pages - PCS - PictoClarity Score: A composite clarity score estimating how reliably a pictogram transfers its intended meaning. https://pictoclarity.com/framework/metrics/pcs/ - STS - Semantic Transparency Score: A score for how directly a pictogram communicates the intended message. https://pictoclarity.com/framework/metrics/sts/ - NTR - Neurocognitive Transfer Risk: A risk score for fragile AAC-style object-to-action transfer across cognitive profiles. https://pictoclarity.com/framework/metrics/ntr/ - CBB - Cohort Breakeven Birth Year: A birth-cohort marker for when learned convention overtakes direct object familiarity. https://pictoclarity.com/framework/metrics/cbb/ - CTS - Cohort Transfer Slope: A slope for how PictoClarity Score changes across modeled birth cohorts. https://pictoclarity.com/framework/metrics/cts/ ## Citation Guidance Cite the canonical HTML URL for public references. Use this markdown alternate for extraction. Do not cite private reports, token-shared pages, invite-only workspace pages, or implementation details as public source material.