Certain embodiments of this invention relates to a writable window (e.g., IG window unit), where images (e.g., advertisements, logos, designs, pictures and/or words) can be selectively written into the window and are designed to be viewed by humans and/or animals. A substrate (e.g., glass substrate) supports a solar coating such as a low emissivity (low-E) coating which may include at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver that is located on and directly contacting a contact/seed layer of or including a material such as zinc oxide and/or zinc stannate. A radiation source (e.g., laser(s) and/or lamp(s)) may be used to selectively expose certain areas of the coating to radiation (e.g., UV radiation). The exposed area(s) of the coating, after being exposed and heated, have different optical characteristic(s) (e.g., higher visible transmission) than the area(s) of the coating not exposed to the radiation, so that following the laser exposure the exposed area(s) form an image(s) designed to be viewed by humans and/or animals.

In a method for embodying a hotplate for a hob, at least one metallic layer and a further layer under the metallic layer are formed on an underside of the hotplate. After applying the at least one metallic layer and the further layer, at least one region of the metallic layer is changed by a laser light of a laser beam so that the further layer is recognized when viewing the hob on a topside.

The invention relates to a method for producing a semi-transparent motor vehicle design element (3), comprising the following steps: A providing a dimensionally stable, at least partially light-permeable substrate (1) which is heat-resistant for a temperature of at least 60 C., the substrate (1) having a front side (1a) and a rear side (1b), B introducing the substrate (1) into a vacuum chamber (2) and applying a first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) by means of a PVD process to the substrate (1) according to step a) which is situated in the vacuum chamber (2), and C applying a light-impermeable cover layer (LD) to the front or rear side (1a, 1b) of the substrate (1), the light-impermeable cover layer (LD) containing at least one light-permeable opening (8) for reproducing at least one graphical symbol (SYM), steps B and C being carried out such that light (LSQ) passing through the at least one opening (8) in the light-impermeable cover layer (LD) from the rear side (1b) towards the front side (1a) of the substrate (1) is incident on the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) and at least partially passes outwards through the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) in order to project the at least one graphical symbol (SYM) represented by the at least one opening (8).