One key aspect of our introduction to A Level Media Studies is developing the language to analyse media products.
Semiotics: the study of signs.
Semiotics: icon, index, symbol notes
These terms were coined by the American philosopher and scientist Charles Sanders Peircein the 1800s.
An Icon has a physical resemblance to the signified, the thing being represented. A photograph is a good example as it certainly resembles whatever it depicts.
An Index shows evidence of what’s being represented. A good example is using an image of smoke to indicate fire. Not wearing much clothing= sexualised
A Symbol has no resemblance between the signifier and the signified. The connection between them must be culturally learned. Numbers and alphabets are good examples.
Source of these definitions: Vanseo Design Blog
A brief introduction to icons, indexes and symbols:
Icon, index, symbol: blog task
Create a new blogpost called 'Semiotics: icon, index, symbol blog task'
1) Find three examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links.
Icon: image of Score
Index: gun represents power and male dominance
Symbol:
2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?
its an easier way of understanding
3) Why might global brands try and avoid symbolsin their advertising and marketing
need to get it straight out there
4) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) where the producer has accidentally communicated the wrong meaning using icons, indexes or symbols. Why did the media product fail? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).
Lynx ad- sent the wrong message. Not straight forward
This girl can- clear positive message
Examples of Semiotics in Letter to the free
- The framing of bars reprsents the excessive amount of black people in jail. they are more than 5x likely to be incarcerated compared to whites
- The black Box symbolises how black people are objectified and just floating around with a predetermined life. Not free. closed off
- Cross on the black box further represents jesus and how he was also treated unfairly because of his identity
- The outside represents freedom as we see the box in the end of the video outside.
Examples of semiotics Billie Jean
- Clothing represents coolness and wealth
- photo of 2 women watching and looking at him symbolises all women who just try to get to him to be famous
- cat turns into tiger which shows how what may seem calm in the beginning turns into violence
Score
- gun symbolises power dominance authority
- watch symbolises wealth
jungle symbolises strength and masculinity as he killed something
- women with limited clothing demonstrates clumsiness and how sexuality is appealing and used to get what you want
Boss life
-
No comments:
Post a Comment