Week 2 — Project 1a: Finding Signs

School event: AIGA at KCAI

Movie screening of “Signpainters” Friday, Feb 6

Due:

• document: 04 exercise: anchorage and relay
• read/post your responses to your blog
• definitions 

Studio/Homework:

The Semiotics Project

Create a final re-designed set from previous semiotic exercises. You can include your city shots and digital graphic assets, as well as digital adjustments were all done to illustrate semiotics. Through this activity we learned about icons, indexes, symbols, paradigm, syntagm, connotation, denotation, anchor and relay.

Create a cohesive series of pages layouts using InDesign, (8.5 x 11) demonstrating the principles of semiotics. One example per page. Methods:

• produce visual examples that successfully employ the theory and are formally engaging
• clear/correct labeling for each

Part A: Finding Signs

(Kim Huynh)

Sorting and discussion. Correctly label studies and post to blogs. Edit and select work from original studies that you will finalize for Parts A and B

Studies:

• Street Safari (select details and sections, not the whole safari)
• Found Artifacts (as many as needed)

Methods:

• considered and careful documentation of found artifacts (yes, color is fine as well)
• clear/correct annotations
• icon
• index
• paradigm
• syntagm
• symbol 
• two examples of pragmatics

One example per page. Be sure to include the definitions of each word on the page.

due: next class (Monday, Feb 9)

••••••

Part B: Making Meaning

Continuing with your page layouts, investigate connotations through additional information.

Coding studies (with labels) of the following:

• anchor with text
• anchor with image
• relay with text
• relay with image

Changing Connotations studies:

• three examples of connotation/denotation (1 original, 2 changes = 3 total)

due: one week (Wednesday Feb 11)

••••••

Part C: Defining Semiotics

terms:

semiotics, semantics, pragmatic, sign, signified, signifier, icon, index, symbol, paradigm, syntagm, connotation, denotation, anchor, relay

methods:

• clear/correct and concise definitions for each term, in your own words, thoughtfully designed. (15 total)
• well written, concise and insightful reflection on what you learned about semiotics and its application to graphic design practice (1-2 paragraphs)

Overall requirements

• Use work already started during the original studies/assignments.
• Select artifacts that are not only correct examples of each theory, but also showcase a breadth/elevation in visual criticism and aesthetic sensitivity.
• Give proper credit where credit is due (where you found artifacts, who it's by)
• Produce everything digitally (however, refined analog methods can certainly be incorporated!)
• Prioritize the content and clarity of communication, but do not overlook form.
• Design with consistency, in color, in high res, as a pdf
• Post pdf to blog, for final evaluation using Scribd.com

due: Monday Feb 16, as part of your final presentation of A, B & C

Schedule

2/9 

• in-class: review Part A
• homework: Part B

2/11

• in-class: review Part B. Write definitions.
• homework: Part C 

Plus, prepare a thoughtful verbal/visual presentation (keynote) of Parts A, B, C (7 minutes max)

2/16

• in-class: final presentation