Semiotic Approach in Lighting Product Design

Abstract

Today, in addition to the basic functions of saving from darkness, it is also important for the lighting products to carry aesthetic values. In the designs, it is aimed to show the spaces different than they are, even to highlight them, to present successful, creative, artistic images and to create visual effects.
 Lighting products are design products that contain aesthetic elements in terms of being selectable and attracting attention. Industrial products carry meaning in respect to their cultural and communal reality. Therefore, these products are means of communication, and signs are one of the important tools for establishing this communication. In terms of designers, it is important to use the signs conveniently to convey the product to the target group.
 The aim of this study is to reveal how the semiotic approach can contribute to the design process. It is foreseen that the designs that are created by the designers with the inspiration of semiotic approach can easily find response in terms of marketability and perceptibility in the target audience. 
 In the study, as a method some home lighting products were selected from various sources and the examples were analyzed by using Peirce's triple semiotic classification of icon, index, and symbol. As a result of this semiotic analysis, it has been determined that using the visual elements in lighting product design is a frequently used method in design to make the products to be adopted by the target group. In the product design process, it has been seen that the semiotic elements guide the designers with deliberative placements, give them a creative perspective and inspire them.