Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics in the Visual Arts / Edition 3

by David Crow

Overview

Basic semiotic theories are taught in most art schools as part of a contextual studies program, but many students find it difficult to understand how these ideas might impact on their own practice. Visible Signs tackles this problem by introducing key theories and concepts, such as signs and signifiers, and language and speech, within the framework of visual communication.

Each chapter provides an overview of a particular facet of semiotic theory, with inspiring examples from graphic design, typography, illustration, advertising and art to illustrate the ideas discussed in the text. Creative exercises at the end of the book will help exemplify these ideas through practical application.

The fourth edition of Visible Signs includes new imagery and updated exercises, as well as coverage of propaganda, diversity in 'neutral' communication (like emojis), and issues related to social media representation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781474232425
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/31/2015
Series:	Required Reading Range , #53
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Crow, until his sudden death in 2022, was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, University of the Arts, London, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Components. What is Theory?; Agreement; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 2: How Meaning is Formed. Categories of Sign; Value; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 3: Reading the Sign: The Reader; Convention and Motivation; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 4: Text and Image: Digital and Analogue Codes; Advertising Writing; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 5: Official and Unofficial Language: Habitus; The Production of Legitimate Language; The Competition for Cultural Legitimacy; Unofficial Language; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 6: Symbolic Creativity: Hyperinstitutionalisation; Play and Identity; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 7: Junk and Culture: Dirt and Taboo; Rubbish Theory; Rubbish as a Resource; Portfolio; Exercises.
Chapter 8: Open Work: Information and Meaning; Openness and the Visual Arts; Openness and Information; Form and Openness; Portfolio; Exercises.
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements and Picture Credits

Editorial Reviews

Easy to follow, understand and written in a broad style that makes the publication relevant to all Art and Design pathways.

Steven Harris

I believe this would be an outstanding introduction for the graduate students joining the research group and for advanced undergraduates. Excellent, engaging layout. This really facilitates involvement with the text, and is much more interesting and accessible than many books I've seen on introductory semiotics.

Kennon Smith

Beautifully composed, well-structured, highly informative and relevant, providing essential theoretical content to our curriculum. A core text for undergraduate design courses and an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of semiotic theories.

Christopher Morris

I bought the original edition some years ago and have been recommending it to students ever since. Crow has written both editions in a way that is very appropriate to design students - good visual examples and very clear content.

John Stocker

A great book, well designed, well researched, well written. For anyone in the slightest bit interested in this fascinating subject (and this should be all designers and design students) this book is the perfect guide.

Saeri Dobson

This is an outstanding overview of semiotics which no student should be without. As expected of AVA titles, it is rich with examples of the theory and work being discussed and the points made are easily digestible ... It will prove invaluable to students of design ...

Philip Dixon

A very thoughtfully designed book. The material in this book can be accessed by Foundation Design students at both basic and more advanced levels, and gives advice that is in bite-sized intelligent morsels. The illustrations are contemporary and visually seductive. This is a useful and stylish book.

David Tinn

A beautifully designed book inside and out (typography, layout and use of paper stock). The stickers add a level of interactivity that any student would like. This all adds up to a book that a student would want to keep for future reference. Content that is very relevant to an advanced graphic design course.

USA Montclair State University

Very informative, well written and attractive.

UK Bournemouth Arts University College

Excellent content and user friendly approach to the subject of semiotics. More than just an introduction, the book deals with a complex subject in a highly visual and practical way. Highly relevant. Students will be encouraged to buy this book.

UK Leeds College of Art

We already use the first edition and this revised and expanded second edition will make an excellent addition. Accessible use of language and an excellent visual approach and layout make this 'the' key text on semiotics for undergraduates studying graphic design and visual culture. The addition of self-directed study exercises is a useful teaching and learning aid. Excellent book.

Dave Caton

This is an outstanding overview of semiotics which no student should be without. As expected of AVA titles, it is rich with examples of the theory and work being discussed and the points made are easily digestible ... It will prove invaluable to students of design ...” —Philip Dixon, Southampton Solent University, UK

“We already use the first edition and this revised and expanded second edition will make an excellent addition. Accessible use of language and an excellent visual approach and layout make this 'the' key text on semiotics for undergraduates studying graphic design and visual culture. The addition of self-directed study exercises is a useful teaching and learning aid. Excellent book.” —Dave Caton, Swindon College, UK

“Excellent content and user friendly approach to the subject of semiotics. More than just an introduction, the book deals with a complex subject in a highly visual and practical way. Highly relevant. Students will be encouraged to buy this book.” —Leeds College of Art, UK

“Very informative, well written and attractive.” —Bourbanemouth Arts University College, UK

“A beautifully designed book inside and out (typography, layout and use of paper stock). The stickers add a level of interactivity that any student would like. This all adds up to a book that a student would want to keep for future reference. Content that is very relevant to an advanced graphic design course.” —Montclair State University, USA

“A very thoughtfully designed book. The material in this book can be accessed by Foundation Design students at both basic and more advanced levels, and gives advice that is in bite-sized intelligent morsels. The illustrations are contemporary and visually seductive. This is a useful and stylish book.” —David Tinn, East Surrey College, UK

“A great book, well designed, well researched, well written. For anyone in the slightest bit interested in this fascinating subject (and this should be all designers and design students) this book is the perfect guide.” —Saeri Dobson, Loyola Marymount University, USA

“I bought the original edition some years ago and have been recommending it to students ever since. Crow has written both editions in a way that is very appropriate to design students - good visual examples and very clear content.” —John Stocker, University of Lincoln, UK

“Beautifully composed, well-structured, highly informative and relevant, providing essential theoretical content to our curriculum. A core text for undergraduate design courses and an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of semiotic theories.” —Christopher Morris, University of Salford, UK

“I believe this would be an outstanding introduction for the graduate students joining the research group and for advanced undergraduates. Excellent, engaging layout. This really facilitates involvement with the text, and is much more interesting and accessible than many books I've seen on introductory semiotics.” —Kennon Smith, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

“Easy to follow, understand and written in a broad style that makes the publication relevant to all Art and Design pathways.” —Steven Harris, Bedford College, UK

“This publication has become an indispensable, and highly recommended entry point for students of visual communication who are engaging with semiotic terminology for the first time. It has been tried and tested as a productive catalyst for theory informing practice and practice provoking theory.” —Philip Thomas, Swansea Metropolitan University

“This book is an essential guide for those who are exploring the vast world of images and the meanings created by them. Each section of the book provides an overview of the theory of semiotics, and gives relevant visual examples to support the theory.” —Nisantasi University, Turkey

“Visible Signs is a thorough, engaging and accessible overview to the fundamentals of semiotics. Through the use of relevant, contemporary examples Crow engages the reader visually, supporting the key theories.” —Simon Harrison, Leeds College of Art, UK

“This is the third edition of Crow's book (which was first published in 2003), and that speaks to its popularity. For this edition, Crow (dean of the School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan Univ., UK) added more up-to-date illustrations and rewrote the captions. Those who own the first or second edition will not need this updated edition, but those who do not should acquire it because it is one of the few books to discuss various semiotics theories of design. (A comprehensive study of the Peircean semiotic theory of graphic design will be published by MIT in 2017, but until then Crow's is one of the more complete.) Crow does a fairly good job of explaining the differences between Peircean and Saussurian semiotic perspectives, but the really outstanding parts of this book are the excellent illustrations and the exercises. This book is aimed at undergraduate programs in graphic design, and it hits the mark.
Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates.” —CHOICE

From the Publisher