#signifier

[favourletterwords]

(via Fred Home - Philosophy)

[penhive]

Assorted Writings

On Roland Barthes

It was Roland Barthes who introduced me to the concept of the sign. A sign is made up of the signifier and the signified where the signifier is a thing and the signified an idea. For example if I say rose is passion, rose is the signifier and passion the signified. The sign has an empty lexical meaning and an inflated meaning as a myth. Let me use an example: panty is comfort to your under parts. Panty is an inflated signifier and comfort is inflated signified. Deflating both is to deconstruct their mythical posture.

Taj  Mahal

Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World located in Agra India. Shajhan the Mughal monarch ordered it to be built in memory of his deceased wife Mumtaz. Soon after the architect built it, Shajahan cut of his hands so that he will never build another like it. The Taj Mahal is a paradox of love and cruelty.

Statue of Liberty

Statue of liberty needs no mention. It is portrayed as a woman holding a torch with spikes in her head, representing oceans and continents. There are two levels of symbolism, one, the authority of a nation to exert power, influence and domination and the other democracy and freedom. Their mythical significance eludes reason and is engulfed by passion.

Nietzsche’s Ubermensch

Nietzsche’s Ubermensch is a hero who does not follow the herd. The Ubermench is a lexical appropriation and possession of meaning. It is the will to self as meaning.

Abraham and his offspring

According to the history of scriptures both Isaac and Ishmael are sons of the same father Abraham.  Isaac was born from the womb of Sarah and Ishmael was born from the womb of Hagar. I wonder why both the Arabs and the Jews being the sons of Abraham are sworn enemies. Why is not Israel giving land to the Palestinians? Why are they making it an occupied enclave? Why did Israel attack Iran without provocation? Again it raises eye brows that Iran needs a democratic change of government. A long lasting solution of peace is need very early. The signing of the memorandum of a truce is a welcome step.

Julia Kristeva

Julia Kristeva is the philosopher who introduced me to the semiotic and the symbolic text. A semiotic text is text which does not follow the rules of grammar and examples of it are: dance, drama, music and streams of consciousness. A symbolic text is the one in which the rules of syntax and grammar prevail and examples of it are legal and medicinal texts. A semiotic text directly touches feelings but the symbolic text permeates the mind with reason.

James Joyce

What fascinates me about Joyce is his empathic dimension of shelling art as streams of consciousness. His is a literature of overflowing feelings, a loose string of narrative fables, an exhortation of the psyche, a manifestation of the epiphany of the everyday events of life.

[nano-creator]

Lacan's graphic

[happywebdesign]

Fela

[chrisengel]

...as the signifier is never solitary, as it invariably forms something coherent – this is the very meaningfulness of the signifier – the lack of one signifier necessarily brings the subject to the point of calling the set of signifiers into question.” Jacques Lacan, Seminar III, The Psychoses

[roaenexists]

The Hermit

isolation. introspection. secrets of the self. internal life. introversion. reflection. meditation. guidance of and by the self.

When you draw The Hermit most often it is time to retreat into the self. Perhaps it's time to turn off the background noise and spend alone time with your thoughts. Perhaps there is an internal wisdom you are close to reaching, if only you cut off distractions. The answers are within you, and you are your own mentor. Perhaps you might even be an inadvertent mentor to others who see your understanding of yourself as an admirable character trait, something to which they aspire. Embrace your inner universe to reach a higher understanding of the universe without.

The shadow qualities of this card may be apparent: loneliness, longing, self-involvement, ignorance that needs be corrected. If you read reversals or the spread placement indicates, this card might be warning of excessive time alone. While not necessarily a call to action, the shadow qualities of the Hermit are not to be ignored. Remember that the point of knowing the self is to better participate in the magic of the whole.

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Stories sweep us up and out, stories help our hearts and minds to focus. When we are thoroughly in the "now" of a story, we long to risk the next step, to write the next chapter, and follow where this story is going to take us.

[helenvaughans]

[dowdicus]

Sign/Signified

I’ve been thinking, Lately– I never wrote you a poem. It’s strange to me. I usually write my lovers poems. But I’ll admit I kept you at arm’s length.

I think being friends with you Has made me feel closer to you. And I feel the kind of love I want to feel: Not the terrifying, heart-palpitating Need Of a new relationship, But I admire you. I think you are everything I want to be.

It’s challenging, Writing a poem for someone. You may love some tiny, offhand detail about their person, And they’ll say, “that’s not me.” And then you must reconcile [them] with them. And I’ll always wonder If I love [you] or you.

And now I’ve written a poem for you— Or maybe for [you]— And though I'm not sure the difference is clear, I’ve forgotten what I intended to say, Having gotten lost in sweet memories Of happy smiles on your face.

[keithqyj]

WOII Week 4 | Semiotics

Learning more about semiotics, where we take a look at how we perceive certain images or signages while decoding the message or intention behind it. Signifiers were also being used in our contextual analysis as part of the exercise when we are decoding an advertisement. 

Bringing semiotics into my photography assignments project 3 - A thousand words, where it challenges me to explore the language of photography and its capacity to communicate through the lens of semiotics. For this assignment, I chose an article which tried to convey the message on how climate change impacted the world, making temperature deadlier and food less reliable.

At first I was clueless as to how I can create visual storytelling images, so I began to look into images from www.worldwildlife.org, which talks about climate change and started to decode it using signifiers and what they are trying to signify. 

One of my favourite photos that I chance upon will be a campaign titled “Lungs” with a tagline: “Before it’s too late”, which was published in France, April 2008 by agency TBWA for WWF.

From the image we can see that the signifier being the lung shaped forest with part of the right side being burned down. This can signify that if the forest continues to be burned down or reduced, the aftereffect will also impact heavily on us too.

Thus, it helps to convey the message on the importance of us saving the tree, which opens up many ideas and inspiration for my upcoming photography submission.

(254 words)

Linkedin, Dr Srinivas JAGARLAPOODI. "Semiotics and Sign Theory: Decoding the Language of Signs", 31 May 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/semiotics-sign-theory-decoding-language-signs-jagarlapoodi. Accessed 3 April 2025.

ConservationBytes.com, CJA Bradshaw. "Earth's second lung has emphysema", 19 February 2015, https://conservationbytes.com/2015/02/19/earths-second-lung-has-emphysema/. Accessed 3 April 2025.

[fybeee]

WOII: Week 4 - Semiotics

This week, we focused on topic Semiotics. The study of the use of symbolic communication. Semiotics can include signs, logos, gestures and other linguistic and nonlinguistic communication methods. An introduction of Semiotics to build visual literacy, to think about how we look at things, especially in the context of reproductions.

In this week's activity, we are supposed to pick an advertisement or poster to conduct a formal and contextual analysis of its message. We have chosen an advertisement of BBC Dracula billboard. In the daytime the poster only shows weapon and red paint, however, as time goes, in the evening, the shadow of  Dracula came out. For colours, they used white as a background, red as represents blood, and black as silhouette of Dracula. An extra small detail under the ad board, “In case of vampire, break glass”. Adds a bit of horror when walking down the streets. The poster shows balance and emphasis is because the poster is divided by 2 parts equally and this shows balance. Emphasis gives a message of that the Dracula only apprise at night. 

The typographic letters “DRACULA” . They signify the shadow illusion showing a vampire, which suppose to signify the character “Dracula”. This advertisement gives a mysterious horror feel, which is what the audiences should expect from the upcoming show. The use of shadows, fog, and dramatic lighting further enhances the allure of the unknown. 

(233 words)

Watson, Imogen. “BBC Erects Immersive Dracula Billboards With Bloody Stakes and Haunting Shadows.” The Drum, 2 Jan. 2020, www.thedrum.com/news/2020/01/02/bbc-erects-immersive-dracula-billboards-with-bloody-stakes-and-haunting-shadows.

[leechaeeun03]

WOII: Week 4 - Semiotics

‘It’s like a silent dialogue between the design and the viewer, communicating complex messages in an instant.’(Dyess) Semiotics in design helps us instantly understand visual cues, like the STOP sign’s shape and color, which signal urgency and demand attention.

As a personal activity, I compared two beer advertisements. One depicts a man in an expensive suit leaning against a luxurious bar (signifier), evoking a sense of smoothness and sophistication (signified). Its clean, well-organized layout reinforces this elegance.

In contrast, the Cass beer advertisement conveys a refreshing and exhilarating feeling (signified) through the lively expressions of young people and splashing water (signifier). The diagonal arrangement of text and design elements adds rhythm and energy. Though both ads promote beer, the choice of symbols and visual elements creates entirely different impressions, which I found fascinating.

Using symbols has a powerful impact, helping deliver messages more effectively. Rather than simply presenting information, designs should evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression, especially in advertising. Symbols not only enhance meaning but also help simplify designs. Good design conveys messages clearly and concisely. the more unnecessary elements it has, the less effective it becomes. This is why symbols are crucial. I believe they make designs both impactful and easy to understand.

In a photography class, I worked on a project that visually interpreted a news article warning about rising temperatures. To represent the idea of temperature rise and warning (signified), I used upward arrows and caution signs (signifiers). Through this activity, I realized how much our subconscious associations with shapes and symbols influence design. Applying this understanding to my own work has deepened my appreciation for semiotics and its role in visual communication.

.(278  words)

Reference

Dyess, Chase. "Semiotics: The Unspoken Language of Graphic Design." Medium, 25 July 2023, https://dyessdesign.medium.com/semiotics-the-unspoken-language-of-graphic-design-592db4f6c226. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Nordquist, Richard. "Semiotics Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo., Dotdash Meredith, 23 Sept. 2024, https://www.thoughtco.com/semiotics-definition-1692082. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Malik, Usman. "25 Important Safety Signs, Symbol, and Their Meanings." HSE Blog, 30 May 2024, https://www.hseblog.com/safety-signs-symbol/. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

[penhive]

Allegory and the signifier and the signified

Now what is an allegory? An allegory is a fable with an extended message. Signifier and the signified comes from  semiotics and both of them make a sign. The signifier is a tangible visual thing and the signified an idea. For example if I say: dove is peace, dove is the signifier and peace the signified. Here in this article I want to discuss the impact of the signifier and the signified on various types of allegory.

Philosophical allegory

In philosophical allegory I am taking Plato’s cave. There’s a dark cave and in it people are searching for light and a bright shaft of light emerges from top. What Plato meant was there is a sensible world of forms and a supersensible world of ideas. As an allegory the caves is the signifier and light the signified. All sensible forms are made of ideas.

Religious Allegory

For the religious allegory I am taking the Biblical story of creation. God created the Garden of Eden and he created man and woman in his own likeness. Adam and Eve being tempted by the serpent Satan ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, the tree of good and evil and fell into sin.  Here the signifiers are: God, Adam, Eve, the garden of Eden, the tree of good and evil and the serpent. The signified is creation, sin and banishment from the Garden of Eden.

Political Allegory

For political allegory, I am taking George Orwell’s animal farm. In it are animals who try to develop an ideal system of government (communism). Initially all goes well and then the farm degenerates as the leadership animals become corrupted and wasted. In the allegory of the animal farm, Orwell takes a dig at Communism and its reprobation as tyranny. The signifier of the animal farm is the animals trying to implement and ideal form of government and the signified is the government. There’s a saying power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Aesthetic Allegory

For developing the aesthetic allegory I have taken my poem Nature Samadhi

Nature Samadhi

Dawn started moving

With the lovers communing

Colors nuzzling fonts

Surging tourbillon

Glowing passion

Eternity flies as Sadhus in white

Unveiling time on mystic flight

Swaying pebbles glistening Karmic odes

Samsara meanders pilgrimage blues

Beyond mundane life

Of aching pain and deadly strife

Heraclitus is moving from flux to feeling.

The heading of the poem has nature as the signifier and Samadhi as the signified (Samadhi has two meanings death and enlightenment). The sojourn with nature is exalted with the feeling of enlightenment.  The lovers in the poem are colors and they are the signifier and communion is the signified. The colors surging is the signifier and passion the signified. Sadhus are birds and they are the signifier and their flight to eternity is the signified. Brook is the signifier and moksha (salvation) is the signified. Swaying pebbles is the signifier and karmic odes the signified. Heraclitus is the signifier and motion from flux to feeling is the signified.

[lugasdugas]

WOII: Week 4 - Semiotics

During Week 4, I worked with two of my classmates to analyse an advertisement both formally and contextually. We chose to examine the KFC FCK ad launched in the UK in 2019, which was created to address a crisis when KFC ran out of chicken. The ad not only responded to the crisis but also showcased KFC's ability to handle the situation with humour and confidence. By combining an apology, wit, and iconic branding, the ad became a memorable moment in advertising.

This week of Semiotics taught me to understand how people interpret visuals in design. It teaches me me how to pick the right elements and shapes for my work so that people can understand them.

One instance which I used semiotics is the creation of my poster for my studio project. I broke down my designer by understanding their message through their works, paid attention to the elements they use commonly in their designs and finding out how their works connect with their works. This helped me create a design I was happy with and made me realize how important it is to understand the message behind the visuals.

Because of this, I decided to decode some of playstations ads in the early 2000s.

In both ads, elements of the PlayStation button symbol—triangle, circle, X, and square appear in the eyes and veins. This could suggest that gaming on PlayStation isn’t just an emotional experience but a physical one too. The raw intensity and focus shown in these visuals highlight how gaming grabs the player’s full attention, becoming a part of them. This deep connection helps shape the experience, making it something that truly immerses the player. Both ads were part of PlayStation's strategy to connect with players on a personal level and shapes their experience with gaming. References:

Empire | "70 Best print adverts of all time" | August 18 2020 https://theempire.com/best-print-adverts/ Daylight Curfew | March 1 2025 https://www.instagram.com/daylightcurfew/p/DGqNeonMdTs/?img_index=6

(301 Words)

[happywebdesign]

Dan Tase

[nursophia]

WOII: Week 4 - Semiotics

In my exploration of semiotics, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of how signs and symbols shape meaning in design communication. A sign is made up of the signifier (its physical form) and the signified (the concept it represents). This concept became more tangible during a class activity, where I conducted both formal and contextual analyses of an advertisement poster.

By examining visual elements such as colour, typography, and imagery, I saw how these components functioned as signifiers, evoking emotional and cultural associations that influence how viewers interpret the message.

As noted in Semiotics in Art & Design, “Semiotic analysis, which examines the meanings of signs and symbols, helps us understand how these elements express ideas, emotions, and messages through visual art forms.” This reinforced my understanding that meaning is not passively received—it is actively constructed by both the designer and the viewer. Advertisers, for example, strategically use symbols to shape perception and evoke specific responses. For me as a designer, this is a powerful insight: thoughtful use of signs and symbols can enhance clarity, evoke emotion, and ensure alignment between message and audience perception.

Moreover, semiotics extends beyond the realm of design. As Semiotics: The Unspoken Language of Graphic Design highlights, it is a universal system that operates across cultures and contexts, shaping how we understand the world. This perspective helped me recognize that meaning is constantly being constructed through subconscious visual cues. By becoming more aware of these systems, I can create work that is not only aesthetically engaging but also culturally resonant and communicatively precise.

Word count: 255

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References: 

Mba, Chase Dyess. “Semiotics: The Unspoken Language of Graphic Design - Chase Dyess, MBA - Medium.” Medium, 7 Aug. 2023, dyessdesign.medium.com/semiotics-the-unspoken-language-of-graphic-design-592db4f6c226.

Reynolds, Adrian. “Semiotics in Art and Design: The Power of Symbols and Signs - Adrian Reynolds.” Adrian Reynolds, 27 Jan. 2025, adrianreynolds.ie/semiotics-in-art-and-design/?srsltid=AfmBOor34EoRuHqGXELqBBarXsls-lh2SzHCQFiskL25RhTFEgVVJb-S.

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