Meaning 2: Interactions Between the Three Levels

This is a neon sign for a coffee shop that demonstrates all three levels of visual design communication.

Representational
In the center of the sign we recognize the representational form of a hot cup of coffee.  It plays a decorative role in the sign and it provides extra light, making the sign more noticeable.  The coffee cup is a visual representation of what the letters around it are symbolizing.

Abstract
The representation of a cup of coffee in the middle of the sign has been greatly abstracted.  This was done so because the medium, neon lights, does not allow for complex representations.  This abstraction of a warm cup of coffee may also have an emotional impact on viewers. This abstraction of a coffee cup is very warm and inviting, and since it is most likely to be viewed outside and maybe even in the cold, those who see it may suddenly desire hot coffee to help warm themselves up.

Symbolic
The words on the sign, "espresso coffee" are made up of symboles that together denote that the shop in which the sign is found has espresso coffee.  These symbols have an informative impact on the viewer.  The letters on the sign symbolize what the abstraction in he center represents.