Conduct a semiotic analysis
Conduct a semiotic analysis
1. Print out a large copy of the content that you want to analyze.
This might be an advertisement, a logo, or a landing page.
2. Brainstorm with your team to identify the messages that people see in the text, imagery, and symbology.
For example, the advertisement below may leave people with the idea of having fun playing with friends. But it might also leave people feeling that the switch is flexible and can be used anywhere.
3. Determine the elements which you believe lead to a specific impression.
Use a content matrix or mind map to explore connections between messages, impressions, and design elements. For example, in the switch ad, it is primarily the strapline that creates a connection with the idea of having fun playing with friends. However, the images and strapline together show the flexibility of the console.
4. Create a spreadsheet with columns for Element, Message, Question, and Answers.
Enter information from your brainstorming sessions into the first two columns of the spreadsheet.
5. For each element, enter questions that you can ask your customers to find out how they perceive it, to judge if your assumptions are correct.
Ensure that you ask open-ended questions for a better insight into what your customer thinks about your message. For example, when testing assumptions about the switch advertisement, you could ask, “from looking at the switch console in the pictures, what is the one thing you take away?”