Each year provides us with a glimpse at what digital symbolism has entered into the general public’s vernacular. It’s somewhat comforting that ellipse – or as I grew up referring to them, the “etcetera dots” – are reintroducing themselves. Better known in tech jargon as Read Receipts or Typing Awareness Indicators, these three specks command a new level of respect. Society now sees grown individuals fixated on, teens obsessed with, and relationship counselors profiting from those mighty pulsating dots. Inserting in a flag may well indicate a political dialogue while I note the single bubble in Discussion Records looks to be more of a monologue than a discussion.
At one time, these dots were a great shortcut for lazy writers that didn’t have the inclination to finish a list. However, in 2005, Blackberry introduced ellipses to their interface, and iPhone followed suit two years later. As a result, in logo parlance as in conversation, they now show that you have something of note to say. You are holding the floor while others await your words with riveted anticipation. Though keeping the symbol encased in a speech bubble gives the dots a sense of place, we can only imagine they’ve reached the age of consent and could stand on their own, bubbles or not.
 STEVENSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DESIGN, STEVENSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DESIGN |
 ARCANE, PHM SEARCH GROUP INC. |
 JOHN MILLS LTD, JML |
 JAREDLDESIGN, DISCUSSION RECORDS |
