Application of semiotic theory of communication in understanding Polish social poster design.

Abstract

This paper explores the possibilities and difficulties of adapting semiotic theories of communication to practical in social poster design. At first, I present research on visual semiotics and present applicable methods that examine images along with the phenomenon of multi-layered Polish poster art from the 1950s to the current days. Later, I use this information to create a new method of analysing posters based on semiotics, rhetoric and art history. I analyse works selected by their semiotic value thoroughly and compare visual language, symbolism to understand the mechanism behind their success. Even though semiotics has significantly evolved during past decades it does not yet have the necessary tools to create a practical course of semiotics for designers. The results of this paper suggest engaging spe-cialists in design and art history to explore the opportunities semiotics can provide artists with.