看得見的符號：154個設計藝術案例 理解符號學基本知識

by David Crow, 大衛·克羅, 羅亞琪 (譯者)

「要不是為了滿足直接的生物性需求，人們其實會是活在一個充滿象徵符號而非具體事物的世界。」──貝塔朗菲《一般系統論》──

　　我們活在一個充滿符號的世界；我們如何理解這個世界，端看我們如何解讀我們所看到的事物。

　　一張兒童肖像為何會被解讀成犯罪？廣告圖像如何透過增加文案，如虎添翼地強化訊息？塗鴉做為「視覺方言」，為何更能撼動人心？唯有先被視為廢物，才有可能在未來成為值得收藏的品項？……為何欣賞藝術時，無法感受到評論家的說法？而創作者又可以如何善用視覺語言，來傳達更精準的創作概念？

　　在這個充滿政治、消費訊息的現代社會中，廣告、傳播媒體、設計與藝術作品，形塑出我們所處的視覺生活表象，也是大眾溝通的重要媒介。而身為藝術或設計的創作者，如何更有效率、更快速地把正確的訊息與訴求傳達給閱聽者，理解「符號」、應用「符號」，便是關鍵。

　　這本符號學入門書透過了當代藝術、設計代表人物們的範例，類型包括平面設計、字形設計、插畫、廣告、塗鴉及藝術作品，深入淺出地介紹索緒爾、皮爾斯到安伯托．艾可等理論大師的符號學概念，帶領讀者探索視覺語言的世界、理解視覺傳播的運作。

　　對於藝術設計創作者來說，本書更可以幫助創作者解開自己作品當中的符號之謎，並透過符號模式的靈活應用，得以發展出更具有多重意義的設計巧思，篇末的創意練習更有助於透過操作來實踐這些概念。

Genres: Design, Theory, Nonfiction, Semiotics, Art, Art Design, Research

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tiarnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction into the world of semiotics, not easy to get into, but it makes a lot of sense by the final chapter.
A must for anyone with an interest in visual communication.

[yuefei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much what it says it is. A pretty mediocre (but selective) introduction to semiotics which can feel a bit too reductionist at times. Though it is accessible, I found that the lack of textual information actually worked against the book sometimes, prompting me to have to google a lot of terms and context. The last two chapters touch on some interesting concepts and, in addition to the fundamental information it gives about Saussure and Peirce, are what really redeem this book imo. Unless you want to learn a little more about the application of semiotic ideas to the visual arts, there are definitely better introductory books to semiotics and semiotic theory.

(Read on Bloomsbury Applied Visual Arts)

[Superstarsiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a version with a different cover so I am not sure if the visual content is the same. The version I have got is full of interesting pictures and includes stickers that are relevant to the subject and really add to the learning experience.
Anyway, it does what it says on the tin, is a concise,accessible and also engaging introduction that succeded in making me understanding the basis where other books have failed (introduction on semiotics included in Kindle Unlimited I am talking to you eh).
The simple writing makes it ideal even if English is not your first language.

[Lokomotywa · Rating 3 out of 5]

fantastic presentation, but the content is hit or miss - it's a good introduction and roadmap for further reading, but it can even sacrifice accuracy for the sake of simplicity (at least in the linguistic part, since that's what I'm most familiar with).
definitely recommend it as a primer, though!

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best intro textbook I've read in a long time.

[Luīze Sniedze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vispārējs ieskats semiotikas nozīmē dizainā..
Reāli piemēri, arī reāli uzdevumi ar darbiem, lai labāk izprastu semiotiku.
Bet tomēr diezgan vispārēji un priekš manis pārāk izstiepti.

[John Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to reading images as text. Very nicely laid out. An effective combination of theory and examples.

[Bernadette N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helped me with my dissertation. pretty good read

[Jennifer Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of clearest (and simplest) reads on the development of semiotics. It's not as in depth as other books on the subject; however, I would recommend it to anyone looking to get the broad strokes on how semiotics developed over place and time.

[Malin Grön · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the clearest and most visually pleasant book I have read on the subject. If you want an introduction to semiotics, this is the book.

This is the book that makes me want the option "currently re-reading" ;)

[Jane Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well illustrated introduction to semiotics, with an emphasis on pictorial signs.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Semiotics.