Thu, Jan 25

DSGN 3100: Introduction

Today's objectives

  • Review assignment
  • Myths and code
  • Assignment 3 prep

Presentations

Agenda: Class 4

agendas/3100-Class-4-agenda/

Assignment 2 review

Assignment 2 review

Barthes: Mythologies

mythologies

Semiotics of the Dollar Store

Semiotics of the Dollar Store

Structures | Systems | Codes

Structures | Systems | Codes

Multisensory Semiotics

Multisensory Semiotics

Codes

Codes

Essay construction

Essay construction

Resources

More information on Codes

Readings


Assignments

Assignment 3: Documenting connotations

This assignment is about connotation and denotation.

Find and document packaging - this could include food, health products, consumer goods such as electronics or anything else where the packing communicates with the purchaser - and document their denotations - what they explicitly mean - and their connotations - what they suggest or make reference to.

Think about all the ways the item's packaging signify - naming, imagery, colour, material, form, texture, smell, etc.

Document 10 examples of packaging.

The packaging needs to have connotations. Products that have, for example, just denotational messages, will not work well for this, nor will products that use predominantly denotational signs such as generic products. Products where the brand is an important part of the products's character - perfumes, cosmetics, wines, beer, energy drinks, watches, consumer electronics and other types of products work well for this assignment.

Photograph the items, and for each package, list its denotation (the single, agreed-on meaning of the product) and note two to four connotations of the packaging. All images must be your own work. Remember: you are examining the packaging, not the product.

Presentation format

Present your findings for on-screen presentation as a PDF. Make sure to include a title page with your full name as the first page or slide, and put your name on every page. Keep your presentation to 3 pages - a title page and 2 content pages.

Late assignment penalties

Due Wed, Jan 31 6:00 PM. Upload the PDF file to Brightspace.

Name the file: YOURLASTNAME_Assign3.PDF