Disclosed herein is a device and method for validating users, such as for entry into a given area. The method includes transmitting a plurality of access control tokens from an access control system to a portable device, and detecting proximity a user portable device associated with one of the plurality of access control tokens to the portable device. A symbolic representation of the access control token associated with the user portable device is generated by and displayed on the portable device. Selection of the displayed symbolic representation is accepted at the portable device. The access control system is notified of selection of the displayed symbolic representation, thereby indicating identification of a user associated with the access control token symbolically represented by the symbolic representation. The venue symbolic representation includes at least one pictograph.