June 9, 2012

This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics

Noticed this text on Semiotics and Design reading at Front and Company today! I have to admit, the word semiotics and the relationship to linguistics is what drew me in You can never have too many books, right?? Resisting the temptation to buy it.. for now!

“Semiotics is the theory of signs, and reading signs is a part of everyday life: from road signs that point to a destination, to smoke that warns of fire, to the symbols buried within art and literature. Semiotic theory can, however, seem mysterious and impenetrable. This introductory book decodes that mystery using visual examples instead of abstract theory.

This new edition features an expanded introduction that carefully and clearly presents the world of semiotics, before leading into the book’s 76 sections of key semiotic concepts. Each short section begins with a single image or sign, accompanied by a question inviting us to interpret what we are seeing. Turning the page, we can compare our response with the theory behind the sign, and in this way, actively engage in creative thinking.

Read straight through or dipped into regularly, this book provides practical examples of how meaning is made in contemporary culture” via This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics.Second Edition.