Artifacts are physical objects, such as clothing, homes, and cars, that indicate to others a person's personal and social beliefs and habits.  Messages are thus conveyed in a nonverbal manner (DeVito, 2005).

Clothing

One of the first judgments people make when they see an individual, whether it be stranger or friend, is based on that person's clothing.  Accurate or not, these inferences affect how people view and react to others.  Clothing can communicate many ideas, including social class, attitudes (conservative, liberal, moderate), style and creativity, and age.  For example, a professor is more likely to take seriously a student who dresses conservatively and appropriately for class than a student who constantly lounges in sweats and an old t-shirt. 

Jewelry

Jewelry as well communicates certain messages.  Political buttons inform others of your views and activity concerning society while college rings or religious adornments reveal personal values and beliefs.  Engagement and wedding rings indicate matrimony and the union of two people in love, though the type of rings can further indicate wealth and thus social class; large stones are usually associated with those who have money while simple and plain rings are often reserved for those with less wealth.

Body Piercings and Tattoos

Piercings and tattoos often facilitate complex messages, especially in terms of presentation and perception.  Often, when people get a piercing in their nose, eyebrow, or tongue, they communicate a message that is different than from how others perceive it.  This can be a result of a culture or generation gap, for younger people are more comfortable with such expressions than are their parents and grandparents.  Many people tend to overlook the actual meaning of such an adornment and instead perceive it in within a broad message.  For example, a young person may get a tattoo of a religious object, perhaps a cross.  While that person's intent may be to indicate to others his/her devotion to faith, an older individual may misinterpret the message and think that the person with the tattoo is defying his/her religion.

Space Decoration

The way in which private spaces are decorated indicate messages about a particular person or group of people.  For example, a boss' office is usually arranged with nice furniture in a private room, unlike a worker's lowly cubicle.  Thus, objects and adornments can highlight wealth and status.  Despite this, they also contribute to information about a person's interests and lifestyles.  Magazines, books, and dvds each communicate a different message about the tastes of a person and what they consider to be important.