Using Semiotics to Look For Helpers
In our COM 320 class – Visual Communication – the prompt was given: “Look for the helpers.” Simple enough. But as I thought more about the prompt, more questions came to mind. What represents helpers and how do you know when help is nearby? That is the question I set out to explore. The prompt “look for the helpers” made me think literally. Instead of focusing on a specific person or group, I used my knowledge of semiotics and began to set my sights on the everyday objects around Pullman, WA and Washington State University. This photo-essay explores the icons, indexes, and symbols necessary to spot aid and how those underappreciated notices are the true “helpers of the world.”
By Blair Khanal
Emergency beacons are dotted across the WSU campus, a symbol for those that need help.
Signs like this are symbols, meant to help meant to help direct pedestrians around town.
Trucks like these can be seen around campus. The tools in the back and the Cougar symbol on the side indicate this truck belongs to some sort of helper around WSU.
Police vehicles are usually an index of a Police officer, a symbol of law enforcement.
It's 8 AM and mop buckets like this can be spotted in the halls of various campus buildings. This is an indication that sanitation workers or janitors are nearby, helping keep the area clean.
Braille is a crucial helper, a translation for those that cannot see and a symbol of accessiblity.
Here is a picture of a guy on a roof, symbolizing someone helping with maintenance work of some kind.
Here is a picture of a guy emptying the garbages in between class. While not immediately clear, it is an assumed symbol that this man is helping because he is part of the janitorial staff.
Construction barricades are symbols of construction, meant to block a person from going further (but not from peeking through.)
A mailbox is often a symbol associated with the mail or postal services. But this could be interpreted due to the icon that reads "United States Postal Service" on the side.