Semiotic Research

Linguistic: Comprising aspects such as vocabulary, generic structure and the grammer of oral and written language. This is relevant as it reflects the mode address magazine's use when communicating with their audience. For example Urban Magazine uses modern, young generation language to engage the suitable audience- ''Rumours are flying around that you've been in some serious talks with the US record label Young Money.''

Visual: Comprising aspects such as colour, vectors and viewpoint in still and moving images. This is addressing the colour and images used to entice a potential customer. A front cover which draws in a audience has done it's job effectively as all magazine's when on a shelf need to essentially sell themselves, particularly when new into the market. The colour contrast on black, orange and white for Urban magazine are effective, shown in the results of feedback.

Audio: Comprising aspects such as volume, pitch and rhythm if music and sound effects. This is not directly relevant in the production of magazines, however the awareness of music is significant for synergy and cross media ownership, as magazine's feature music and play a huge role in promoting it.

Gestural: Comprising aspects such as movement, speed and stillness in facial expressions and body language. For example in main images featured in a magazine, have particular facial expressions and body language to reflect the style and target audience for the magazine.

Spatial: Comprising aspects such as proximity, direction, position of layout and organisation of objects in space.

Semiotics- The study of signs
A sign is anything that conveys meaning.
A sign has two parts-Signifier: The sign itself. (Images, symbols...)
                                       Signified: The meaning taken from the sign.

Denotation: The obvious meaning of a sign.
Connotation: The deeper/ hidden meaning of a sign.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts, magazines can link to music and book reviews.

Polysemic: All signs have many/ more than one meaning. Meanings of signs can be influenced by age, gender and ethnicity.

Didactic: Denotative meanings that are less open to interpretation.
Syntagmatic: Meanings of signs that work together, for example a caption under a photograph, signifying a meaning together. 

Anchorage: Anchor the meaning of a text by using a supporting sign. 

Types of sign

Iconic: The signifier is connected to the signified through the principle of resemblance. These are important for images, as they symbolise what they resemble.

Indexical: The signifier makes the audience think of the signified because the two are used to connect to the real world.

Symbolic: The signifier is linked to the signified only by the human definition of words and meanings. In different countries, different words represent other things, for example the word 'Dog' has many other ways of saying it, with the same meaning, and doesn't change the overall concept of a dog.