Semiotic Theory

Semiotic Theory

Semiotic Theory is the relationship between a sign, an object and the meaning behind it, when a person interprets the sign they believe that the sign represents the object. The sign is the interpretant which means that is the representation of the object; according to C. Morris people are the interpreters of signs and interpretations are concluded through three stages:

Perception: when a person becomes aware of the sign in front of them.

Manipulation: when a person interprets the sign and decides how to react or respond to it.

Consummation: when a person responds to the sign

Denotation

Denotation is the literal meaning of the sign, this can be referred to the dictionary definition of the sign. Denotation can be contrasted to connotation if the sign doesn't have the same connotation as the denotation.

Connotation

Connotation is the person that is viewing the sign and there personal opinion of what it portrays as. The connotation contrasts with the denotation depending on the sign.

I have used this cover from NME of the killers as in this cover you see multiple expressions and this can be interpreted through the connotation and denotation. The denotation is that the band are laid back and don't really care about what is going on around them, also through there facial expressions you can see how they aren't showing any true emotion. The connotation in this is that really the band does care about what is going on and what there image portrays as. Also you know this as it explains how they are talking about there music and are passionate about it. The cover also uses a lot of lighter and friendly colours such as pink and yellow to show the depth of the content aswell as how graphic it may be.