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Semiotics

HAN VAN
Nov 9, 2018
2 min read

Semiotics: "the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation."

Semiotics are images that provide subliminal messages that are used to visually communicate in day to day life.

They are used in most visual aspects of everyday life from road-signs to art to film as they allow creators to relay a message in it's simplest form. This means that the image is instantly recognisable; whereas a more complex image requires more engagement, which in some scenarios can be distracting.

An example of this would be the use of road-signs - as it's essential for them to instantly and clearly communicate with drivers as they have varying demographics, therefore the sign has to be universally understandable.

A common factor in horror film is the colour red which is commonly associated with 'danger' or 'stop'. This is because from an early age we are taught to stop at a red light, or that in football a red card connotes a foul.

This means that the red outline used around most road signs demand attention. This allows the sign to quickly

Another example of semiotics is the use of it in art and media such as photography and film.

Films in particular have to represent long periods within a limited time space. This also means that they can't spell out each detail for the viewer, however the details help create character and depth in the film, so instead they're implied through the use of semiotics. Certain colours are used in film as semiotics to create 'mood' - e.g horror films primarily use green in the set design, costume design and post production as it's a colour associated with feeling uneasy, which then gives the viewer the connotation that it's a horror film.

This is a picture of the set design from the film Annabelle which shows the use of greens, in particular - 'swampy' greens to give the set horror characteristics and build personality within the room without having to give a backstory.