Classification of sign types

The first everyday representation I chose was stickers. Stickers, as everyday representations is a good example because it shows people’s likes, and depending on how you interpreted them, they can fall under multiple sign types. The first one I think they fall under would be Iconic. Stickers often visually resemble the thing they represent; a bunny sticker looks like a bunny, a coffee cup sticker looks like a coffee cup. This resemblance makes the stickers iconic signs, because the relationship between the sign and its meaning is based on visual similarity.

The next one I chose for everyday representation was posters. Posters shows what you care about and represents you. Posters are bolder and stand out more than usual paper products because they’re meant to be shown everywhere. The sign posters would fall under would be is symbolic. Posters typically rely on language, typography, and cultural codes to communicate meaning. The relationship between the sign (the poster) and what it represents. Certain fonts, slogans, or layouts imply different tones depending on what you are going for. For example, a poster that says “Stay Cozy” with soft pastel colors and rounded fonts doesn’t literally cause coziness, but symbolically evokes it through design choices that signal comfort and warmth.

Lastly, I chose tote bags as another everyday representation. They’re kind of like mobile canvases that show on the go your identity and values. With that design, I would say tote bags fall under the symbolic category. Tote bags often carry text, logos, or illustrations that communicate identity and values. We recognize a tote with a bookstore logo as a symbol of literacy, or they like that book from that bookstore.