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Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signs and the interpretation of their meaning. We use signs to communicate with our audience, as a graphic designer, this is something that will come to play a lot when I am working. I will need the context and cultural background for what I'm trying to say to come across appropriately. What is happening around the sign is very important as well. 

Above is three different situations a thumbs up has been used. Each can be interpreted differently because of the context, the first can be seen as signifying 'good job' I think this because of the suit, it is something that can be associated with work and professionals. The second implying the diver is having a good time and that he is okay, although you can't see a facial expression you know he is posing for a photograph which tells me he wants to document he's having a good time. The last photo is of a hitchhiker looking for a lift, he is using he thumb to signify to drivers what he is looking for. This is a universal sign which I can instantly recognise because of what is happening in his environment. 

 All signs have two aspect according to Ferdinand de Saussure, the founder of semiology, they have the signifier and the signified. If you take the word closed, and the person thinks of a shop door. The would take the word closed as the signifier and then the signified concept for the word closed, would be the shop is not open for business. This is something that automatically happens  in our brains and doesn't require a lot of thought. 
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