Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics

by David Crow

Book by Crow, David

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tiarnan]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[C]

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

[Luīze Sniedze]

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]

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

[Bernadette N]

Helped me with my dissertation. pretty good read

[Jennifer Miles]

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]

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]

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

[Jason]

Great book on Semiotics.