Semiotics and Cognitive Analysis in Visual Communication

This discussion posting focuses on the application of semiotic terms—metonymic, analogical, displaced, and condensed codes—within visual communication. It requires students to explain each concept in their own words and provide a visual example for one of the codes, explaining how the example fits the chosen code. The assignment also touches on cognitive perspectives, specifically projection, illustrating it with an image and explaining how it exemplifies cognitive projection through the use of an optical projector. The goal is to demonstrate an understanding of these concepts beyond simple definitions, encouraging original examples and critical analysis.

Running Head: VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Visual Communication
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1VISUAL COMMUNICATION
The Metonymic Code –
A Metonymic Code happens to be one that can be defined as a collection of signs which
reasons its viewers to actually make different types of assumptions as to what it is that is
being seen and being viewed (Feng, 2017).
Metonymic Code – A Visual Representation
The Analogical Code – Analogical Codecan be explained as a combination of signs in which
the viewer that perceives the entire collection of signs is one who is compelled to create
different types of mental comparisons or analogies (Feng, 2017).
Analogical Code – A Visual Representation

2VISUAL COMMUNICATION
The Displaced Code – An accumulation of signs in which meaning gets transferred from a
specific sign collection to another sign collection can be called a displaced code (Feng, 2017).
Displaced Code – A Visual Representation
Condensed Code– A condensed code is essentially a collection of numerous numerous signs
that are combined together in order to form composite images (Uno et al., 2018).
Cognitive Perspective
Projection alludes to a process by which a specific image that happens to be presented on top
of a surface, with the presentation generally taking place on a cinema screen or in a movie
(Uno et al. 2018). The picture below is a good example of what a projection is all about.

3VISUAL COMMUNICATION
.
It is obvious from the above image that, plenty of lights are thrown on what appears to be a
flat screen, through what is most probably an optical device, by creation of various shades as
well as hues in the entire process. This image may be referred to as multi-dimensional in its
nature as all aspects of its colors or image are getting reflected, or in a way being projected
onto a planar surface without any assistance in the form of numerical calculations. What is
apparent from the image above is that the cognitive project of the image is something that has
been made possible only using a device known as an optical projector (Uno et al., 2018).

4VISUAL COMMUNICATION
References
Feng, W. D. (2017). Metonymy and visual representation: towards a social semiotic
framework of visual metonymy. Visual Communication, 16(4), 441-466
Uno, R., Matsuda, E., & Indurkhya, B. (2018). Analyzing Visual Metaphor and Metonymy to
Understand Creativity in Fashion. Frontiers in psychology, 9