Design semiotics

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Questions and Answers

What parts is a sign made up of?

Expression and Meaning

Signifier and Signified (correct)

Signifier, Signified, and Meaning

What connects signifier and signified?

The decision of the sign users (who can freely express what he or she thinks)

The cognitive work operated by the sign user (correct)

The automatic work operated by the code

What is it that makes a sign user able to establish the proper connections between the signifier and the signified?

The knowledge of signs

The ability to manipulate signifiers and signifieds

The code he or she applies in operating with signs (correct)

What is a denotation?

A stable connection between signifier and signified Signup and view all the answers

Denotations typically are:

Shared among a large group of people (e.g. a society, or the members of a disciplinary group) Signup and view all the answers

Connotations are:

Connections between the signifier and signified based on feeble codes Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main types of sign?

Indexes, Icons, and Symbols Signup and view all the answers

Match each type of sign to the kind of connection between signifier and signified it is based on

Icon = Similarity Index = Physical touch Symbol = Agreement <ul> <li>= -</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

Match each picture with the correct type of sign:

Icon = Bild ansikte Symbol = Emergency exit Index = Bengal <ul> <li>= -</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

In semiotics, what does a text consists of?

A complex sign Signup and view all the answers

Can a narrative contain untold parts?

Yes, all narratives have untold parts essential to make up the whole story Signup and view all the answers

How can a reader fill in the gaps in a story?

By inferring the omitted parts on the basis of his semiotic skills Signup and view all the answers

Who is the model reader?

The model reader is not a 'who' but rather a 'what,' representing the artistic strategy employed by the writer of a narrative Signup and view all the answers

Match each step of the actantial model with its explanation

Manipulation = In this step the Subject modifies his wanting-to-do or having-to-do status by taking the commitment to perform the action that will join him to the Object of Value. Competence = In this step the Subject modifies his knowing-how-to-do or being-able-to-do with reference to the action through which he will join the Object of Value. Performance = In this step, the Subject does an action that makes him join the Object of Value. Sanction = In this step, the Subject is acknowledged that has joined the Object of Value Signup and view all the answers

The Object of Value is a precious object that the main character of a narrative pursues.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the plot?

The sequence of narrative events in a way different from chronological order Signup and view all the answers

Plastic and figurative dimensions, proper of visual semiotics, do not correspond respectively to signifier and signified in general semiotics.

True Signup and view all the answers

All visual texts (images) do have both a plastic and a figurative dimension.

False Signup and view all the answers

How many types of cognitive processes do humans have?

Two: Primary process and Secondary process Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following explanations better describes how perception works?

Perceiving consists in structuring the sensorial flow, meaning that perception "takes choices" on what we see, hear, etc. These “decisions” are taken without us being aware of them, and without us being able to control them. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main Gestalt principles?

Proximity, Similarity, Continuity Signup and view all the answers

What are the Gestalt principles involved in the stroboscopic phenomenon?

Proximity, Similarity, and Continuity Signup and view all the answers

Can figurativeness be nuanced?

True Signup and view all the answers

An image can incorporate a narrative structure.

True Signup and view all the answers

The aspect of a picture contributes to its narrative structure.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match each word to its correct definition:

Inchoative = The aspect of a picture where an action is represented when it is about to happen. Durative = The aspect of a picture where an action is represented when it is happening. Terminative = The aspect of a picture where an action is represented when it is just over. <ul> <li>= -</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

In ancient Egyptian culture, artists were encouraged to express themselves as the main objective of art was considered to be self expression.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of ancient Greek art?

The combination of realism and idealism Signup and view all the answers

Why in the Myron’s “Discus thrower” is the position of the disc represented the maximum extension?

Because the point of maximum extension is where the upward movement becomes the downward movement thus defining the action and ideally representing its perfection as a circle. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to significant advancements in European culture and society, leading to a departure from medieval art and culture?

The intensification of trade, the invention of printing, the compass, and gunpowder Signup and view all the answers

What was the fundamental development that triggered the Renaissance artistic revolution?

The use of geometric perspective and the vanishing point Signup and view all the answers

What factors gave rise to a new approach in art during the Renaissance, aiming to reflect a human-centric understanding of the world achieved through human means, particularly reason, in contrast to knowledge bestowed by God?

The new perception of nature, the rebirth of classical culture, and a more human-centered vision Signup and view all the answers

Why did the discovery of Herculaneum and Pompeii contribute to the emergence of Neoclassicism?

The findings in Herculaneum and Pompeii sparked a renewed interest in classical art and architecture, influencing the birth of Neoclassicism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features better describes Neoclassical art?

Adherence to classical themes, clean lines, and balanced proportions. Signup and view all the answers

What historical event primarily sparked the emergence of Romanticism as a reaction to it?

The Industrial Revolution in England around 1750. Signup and view all the answers

What central theme did Romantic art predominantly represent?

Nature Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of Impressionist artists in their approach to painting?

Using bold brushstrokes and pure colors to capture fleeting moments of everyday life, emphasizing the impression of light. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the invention of photography have on the rise of Impressionism?

It freed artists from the need for strict realism, allowing Impressionist painters to explore new artistic expressions. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Impressionist artists use complementary colors in their paintings?

Because they the juxtaposition of complementary colors makes them look brighter and vibrant. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Cubism, an influential art movement of the early 20th century?

The use of fragmented images and simultaneous multiple viewpoints. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Picasso depict subjects from multiple viewpoints in his Cubist artworks?

To convey a fragmented perception reflecting the societal changes during the industrial era and World War I. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Expressionism, a revolutionary art movement of the early 20th century?

Conveying emotions and subjective experiences over realistic depiction. Signup and view all the answers

Which cultural movement influenced Surrealism the most?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What were Neoplasticism artists seeking to create through their art?

Standard and shareable values Signup and view all the answers

What quadrant would you classify Neoplasticism in the scheme showing figurative VS non-figurative and symbolic VS evocative artworks?

In highly non-figurative, low evocative position Signup and view all the answers

Choose the correct matching pair for Pollock's painting technique.

Pollock spread the canvas on the floor to: = apply the pure colour Pollock used a stick to: = make the colour drip and splash Pollock's technique was called "action painting" because: = he used energetic movements of his whole body Pollock walked over his work and entered it through: = the sweeping gesture Signup and view all the answers

Which artistic technique involves laying large abstract areas of a few shades onto expansive canvases to evoke emotional and contemplative reactions?

Colour field painting Signup and view all the answers

In Mark Rothko's works, how does the foreground and background interact?

The viewer's perception struggles to organize a figure on the foreground over a background. Signup and view all the answers

What did Pop artists draw inspiration from for their art?

Consumerism and mass culture Signup and view all the answers

What techniques did Andy Warhol use in his art that were widely used in advertising?

Printing, photography, and screen printing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of Hyperrealism art?

Creating artworks that appear more real than reality itself Signup and view all the answers

Match each of the two words on the left to one word chosen from the list on the right hand.

<h1>Representative = Figurative Conformative = Abstract</h1> = Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Semantic Representative from Abstract Representative?

Semantic Representative focuses on direct representation of natural elements in furniture ornamentation, as seen in Arts & Crafts, whereas Abstract Representative identifies the aesthetic management of the furniture elements typical of Art Nouveau which consists in representing natural elements in more abstract way Signup and view all the answers

What was the self-proclaimed mission of Bauhaus when it was founded in 1919?

To define an aesthetic language specific for the objects proper of to the industrial society Signup and view all the answers

Which artistic avant-garde had a significant influence on the formulation of the early Bauhaus aesthetic?

Neoplasticism Signup and view all the answers

The emergence of a preference, both in art and design, in the 1920s and 1930s, for geometric-based aesthetics expressed the celebration of rationalism inherent in the new industrial society.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the key material of Pop design in the 1960s?

Plastic Signup and view all the answers

Which cluster of adjectives fits Pop design better?

Futuristic, democratic, free, artificial Signup and view all the answers

What does Tech languages express and how?

Rejection of the superfluous ion design, in response to the energy crisis of the Seventies, through a product aesthetic aligned with the pure functional structure of the object Signup and view all the answers

Postmodern design characterizes for peculiar features such as bright colors, artistic decoration, unbalanced compositions. What signified these did signifiers express?

A rejection of the cultural role of rationalism as the main way to growth of society Signup and view all the answers

The furniture element Casablanca designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 looks somewhat like a totem. Why's that?

Because he was trying to get out from the aesthetic and meaning of industrial modernity Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of designing objects by braking the archetype of their typology?

To challenge the way designers as well as users normally conceive the identity of objects Signup and view all the answers

Why does the contemporary evolution of Pop language, known as Transitional Objects, shift towards softer and lighter color tones and more abstract (i.e., less defined) representative forms compared to traditional Pop language?

To create an atmosphere of reassurance and relaxation in the domestic environment that counterbalances digital anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What are "transitional objects" in the field of child psychology?

Comfort objects, like a stuffed animal, that provide a sense of security during a child's emotional transition Signup and view all the answers

What significant shift in user expectations has the introduction of smartphones strongly contributed to?

Accustoming users to take even seemingly fake-looking everyday items seriously Signup and view all the answers

Referring to the signifier, why has Soft Geometric evolved into Real Toys?

Because of its simplified volumes resembling geometric solids, with rounded edges, akin to the main formal characteristics of toys Signup and view all the answers

Why do many users today appreciate a product aesthetic with an "obvious" constructive logic?

In the digital age, users spend much time in the immaterial digital realm, lacking sensory satisfaction. Our brains are wired for physical and sensory engagement, which the digital realm lacks. Signup and view all the answers

Which one, among the following aesthetic features, do not belong to the aesthetic definition proper of Obvious Construction design language?

Harmonic fusion of parts Signup and view all the answers

Why do many users today seem to appreciate a product aesthetic similar to the graphic design of graphical interfaces?

Users appreciate the graphic design aesthetic turned into touchable because it meets their sensorial expectations as digital users Signup and view all the answers

Graphic Blocks applies to the design of material things the same kind of clear-cut shapes and uniform, graphic colors developed for the visual layout of digital interfaces, thus giving objects the same “visual tangibility” as experienced when interacting with digital icons on the phone screen.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Organic and Digital Organic?

Both exhibit parts harmonically fused into the whole, but Digital Organic in a way that resembles (or actually is) made through 3D printing Signup and view all the answers

Digital Organic pieces can be manufactured only by digital fabbrication technologies.

False Signup and view all the answers

Low Res design language consists of the specific contemporary evolution of which main design language?

Geometric Signup and view all the answers

Why is Low Res aesthetic perceived as meaningful by contemporary users?

Because it resonates with the fact that in their life they experience the digital as it were material Signup and view all the answers

The small size of LEDs imposes no formal limitations on the lamp, transforming it into the embodiment of pure, almost abstract technological rationalism.

True Signup and view all the answers

LED technology has removed virtually all structural constraints on lighting products.

True Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the design language of Arts & Witchcrafts incorporate a cognitive metaphor?

The design language of Arts & Witchcrafts incorporates a cognitive metaphor by drawing aesthetic references from mysticism, such as esotericism and alchemy, to express the "supernatural" experience delivered to the user by digital technology. Signup and view all the answers

Why digital performances can be compared to magical actions?

Because they are capable of autonomous actions and thought through AI, so they might evoke magical forces (they should have evoked them to a viewer from the past). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Semiotics

A sign consists of a signifier (the form of the sign) and a signified (the concept or meaning)
The connection between the signifier and the signified is established by the user
Denotation is the literal or obvious meaning of a sign
Connotations are the emotional or cultural associations of a sign

Types of Signs

Iconic signs: resemble the signified (e.g., a picture of a dog)
Indexical signs: are causally connected to the signified (e.g., a fingerprint)
Symbolic signs: have an arbitrary connection to the signified (e.g., the word "dog")

Semiotics in Text and Images

A text consists of signs that work together to create meaning
A narrative can contain untold parts that the reader fills in
The model reader is the ideal reader who understands the text as intended

Visual Semiotics

Plastic dimension: the visual characteristics of an image (e.g., shape, color)
Figurative dimension: the meaning or interpretation of an image
Visual texts can have both a plastic and figurative dimension

Cognitive Processes

Humans have multiple cognitive processes (e.g., perception, attention)
Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information
Gestalt principles: proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and figure-ground

Ancient and Renaissance Art

Ancient Egyptian art: focused on self-expression
Ancient Greek art: characterized by realism and humanism
Renaissance art: triggered by the rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman art and culture
Renaissance art: focused on humanism and reason

Art Movements

Neoclassicism: emerged in response to the discovery of Herculaneum and Pompeii
Romanticism: emerged as a reaction to the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution
Impressionism: focused on capturing light and color
Cubism: characterized by fragmented forms and multiple viewpoints
Expressionism: focused on expressing emotions and inner experiences
Surrealism: influenced by Freudian psychology
Neoplasticism: sought to create a new, abstract art
Abstract Expressionism: characterized by large, expressive brushstrokes
Pop Art: drew inspiration from popular culture and consumerism

Design Movements

Bauhaus: founded in 1919 with a focus on functional, geometric design
Pop Design: emerged in the 1960s with a focus on bright colors and playful shapes
Postmodern Design: characterized by irony, playfulness, and a rejection of modernism
Tech Languages: express rationality and functionality through geometric shapes
Soft Geometric: characterized by softer, more rounded shapes
Obvious Construction: characterized by clear, constructive logic
Graphic Blocks: applies graphic design principles to material objects
Digital Organic: combines digital and organic forms
Low Res: a contemporary design language characterized by simplicity and clarity

Lighting and Technology

LED technology: has removed structural constraints on lighting products
LED technology: allows for a focus on pure, abstract technological rationalism

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