Semiotics is an interesting and important topic in graphic design. Semiotics being the study of signs and symbols and their uses surfaces a lot in design and visual communication. It’s the way to relay information without the use of words with quick simple pictorial elements.
Semiotics examples are everywhere. It includes icons, indexes, and symbols. Icons are quick visual representations of an object or idea like an icon of a briefcase or of a heart is easily understood across many cultures and countries. Symbols are arbitrary and don’t resemble the idea. One example is the light bulb to represent an idea. Another example is the Christian cross or rainbow for LGBTQ. Symbols are visuals that don’t look like the meaning they carry but they’re assigned ideas to represent. Indexes refer to something without necessarily resembling it and an example may be dark clouds used to represent rain or humid weather.
We spoke on the uses of icons and semiotics throughout the Olympics. It was interesting seeing the different visuals that are created for this special event that’s held every four years. I haven’t paid much attention to the icons and designs used for the Olympics but if I were someone that attended to see the games, I’d need some sort of visual to guide me to the games I’d like to see. Most people just care about the sport and the visuals would be just an afterthought but I’s important none the less because it creates the mood, it builds the visual and guides people. It may be an afterthought but when people recall on the look and feel, they may notice that the icons and visual helped build the look and feel of the event.
After more interesting conversation, we watched the animation The Man Without Qualities. The entire animation was a series of icons, along with colors, sounds and design elements. Not one word was uttered throughout this film. The sad monotone life and terrible death of this man was communicated through icons only. It was a funny film with humor and strong visuals.
