An Understanding of "Semiotics"

Semiotics is a way of visually coding objects and anything we see around us and we mentally associate them with references to pre-existing information that we have collected through the media/experiences/perception etc. Semiotics are used when we are understanding signs around us by making mental connections with perceptions allowing us to process the sign and develop our links.

A sign is polysemic meaning that it has more than one meaning; this is deeply compelling simply due to the fact that your references and experiences in regards to any given sign that you see, will play a toll on your perception of the object. Ultimately the perception we allude to in regards to understanding visual representations of any given object; this is when signifiers play apart due to our to the pre-existing forms of information effecting our assumptions of particular signs causing us to allocate a given sign with depicted pieces of information provided by sources such as the media. The media tends to fixate and highlight certain aspects of information, manipulating the way in which we perceive signs around us. In some cases this idea of highlighting or depicting aspects of a sign may cause us to allude away from the truth; this principle is fundamentally important in association to the news.  

This diagram elaborates on the concept of signs through visual representation demonstrating that the sign is what we're seeing for example a dog's footprint: through our perception we'd link it through connotations to interpret any forms of danger or through experiences we'd link it to information presenting animal prints therefore causing us to ultimately conclude to what it is and presenting it with a title. 

There are 3 forms of links we'd associate with polysemic signs which  help us amplify our perception and understandings by broadening our connections regarding any given signs.

Iconic

Are aspects of the sign that works with resemblance,such as fire being a source of light or heat.

Symbolic

Aspects of the sign that are learned, such as fire can pose a form of danger.

Indexical

These are links we make in regards to the sign, such as smoke can indicate fire or forms of civilisation.

Within the media, particularly forms of visual representation. Signs play a significant importance in regards to the audience gathering an understanding of the visual representation.

Within films/television, directors highlight these aspects of particular signs to emphasis their story in order for the audience to grasp on the tone of the project and remain engaged.

This is a shot from the film “Prisoners” there are many shots throughout the film that bare many symbolic meanings which the director has included to provide the audience with extra visual depth to the telling of the story which he has achieved through the use of mediation; a process of selecting and organising material for his audience but including relevant and appropriate signs that will advance the scene visually.

Iconic

 An aspect within the frame that is ionic is that it takes place within an interrogation room in which is iconic to the audience due to the fact that this setting presents an area in which individuals are questioned upon their acts against society ultimately acting immoral.  This is fundamentally why this polysemic shot is in fact iconic simply because of the location presented makes the audience feel psychologically uneasy as a relation of the audience associating the setting as a place where they are questioned of their sins and is why this shot is so rememberable,ironic and ultimately intriguing.

Symbolic

The way in which the director has chosen to not only position the two characters within the frame at a great distance away from the camera but to confine them to only a small section of the room conveys the idea of power. The character the audience would recognise as the interrogator due to the handcuffs placed in his back-pocket is refraining the suspect from moving away but to remain in the corner of the room and the interrogator is achieving this without any physical means of force nor actions required; this then justifies the symbolism of power and dominance over an individual (the suspect) who holds no authority or control within the situation he has brought upon himself.
Another form of symbolism within the shot is presented through the emptiness of the room; this highlight the notion hopelessness in both the suspect and the interrogator which also can further elaborate on the idea that both characters are striving to achieve their goals of the suspect bleeding his innocence and the interrogator attempting to solve his case ultimately symbolising the concept of desperation.

Indexical

Within this shot, the contents indicated the fact that the location is indeed an interrogation room; the audience would associate this with criminal activity and linking it to the suspect within the frame there by linking his appearance to archetypes of people whom the media presents to be criminals and then help the audience to contemplate their given connections to subconsciously decide whether they believe the suspect is guilty or innocent.

The audience would also make links to the idea of the proximity in which the interrogator could be an invasion of personal space which some may argue that this is a link to a form of violating the suspects human rights which is depicted through the gesture and body language of the suspect leaning himself as far back as possible in order to provide himself with as much space he can conjure himself with:  the audiences may link this with the ideas of instinct of our nature to not tolerate discomfort which is expressed through the suspect’s body language.


Semiotics is a compelling and effective way for the media to alter our perspective on particular aspects of our society. Due to our perceptions on the signs around us having a major influence through our sources of information; particularly the news playing a toll on the way we form stereotypes or political rivals due to the way the media chooses to manipulate the meanings behind signs.