Pictograms

Find or take a photograph and reduce the image down to its most elemental forms. These simplifications are known as pictographs, which are graphic symbols that represent an idea or concept. Create 12 different pictograms in your sketchbook, then take your 4 best and create them in Illustrator.  

View:
http://www.a-website.org/design/pictohistory/index.html
http://www.a-website.org/design/pictohistory/standard.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictogram