A Peircean semiotic analysis of international poster design: Study of Petra Christian University and Sophia University

Karina Anggi Dabi-Dabi; Listia Natadjaja; Bernadette Dian Arini Maer

doi:10.38010/deskomvis.v6i2.128

Authors

Karina Anggi Dabi-Dabi Petra Christian University
Listia Natadjaja Petra Christian University
Bernadette Dian Arini Maer Petra Christian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38010/deskomvis.v6i2.128

Keywords:

International Poster Design, Peirce’s Semiotic, Petra Christian University, Sophia University

Abstract

Posters are a form of visual communication that conveys information to the audience. This study analyzes the design of each three international activity posters from Petra Christian University (Indonesia) and Sophia University (Japan) using Peirce's semiotic theory, by dividing signs into icons, indices, and symbols to reveal the meaning of the visual components used. The visual components (signs) observed consisted of dots, lines, shapes, colors, textures, spaces, images, illustrations, typography, and layouts found in each poster. The results of the analysis show that Petra Christian University displays diverse visual components and global collaboration, while Sophia University reflects Japanese culture and local identity. Through the points of difference and similarity that have been explained, Petra Christian University and Sophia University demonstrate consistency in their designs and have very different design characteristics. This research provides insight into how meaning is formed in poster design through a semiotic approach, as well as the importance of understanding the cultural context in visual communication between countries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alfath, M., Ramdani, G., Rafiasa, M., Sufyan, A. B., Rizki, A., & Balqis, L. F. (2025). Kontestasi Budaya Indonesia dan Jepang dalam Iklan Pocari Sweat "Jadilah Bintang SMA”. Indonesian Research Journal on Education, 5(2), 1091–1097.

Amirotu, I. (2023). Pengertian Poster serta Ciri-Ciri, Tujuan, Fungsi, Jenis, dan Bagaimana Cara Membuatnya. https://telkomuniversity.ac.id/en/pengertian-poster-serta-ciri-ciri-tujuan-fungsi-jenis-dan-bagaimana-cara-membuatnya/

Amirulah, M. R. (2018). Analisis semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce pada poster pariwisata China “China Like Never Before.” Brawijaya University.

Anam, A., Hilaliyah, H., & Subianto, I. (2022). Penggunaan Poster Sebagai Alternatif Sosialisasi Padanan Istilah Bahasa Indonesia di Rw 03 Kelurahan Meruyung, Kecamatan Limo, Kota Depok. Jurnal PkM Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 5(2), 126–135.

Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa. (n.d.). Poster. In Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI). https://kbbi.web.id/poster

Chandler, D. (2007). Semiotics: The basics (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Fiska, R. (n.d.). Pengertian Semiotika: Konsep Dasar, Macam, dan Tokoh Pencetusnya. Gramedia Blog. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.gramedia.com/literasi/semotika/#google_vignette

Hoopes, J. (Ed.). (2014). Peirce on signs: Writings on Semiotic by Charles Sanders Peirce. The University of North Carolina Press.

Kardinata, H. (2011, March 17). Garis Waktu Desain Grafis Indonesia 1659-1999. Desain Grafis Indonesia. https://dgi.or.id/in-depth/history/garis-waktu-desain-grafis-indonesia-1659-1999.

Natadjaja, L., & Setyawan, P. B. (2021). Refleksi kultural dalam iklan Indomie spesial Ramadhan 2020. Semiotika: Jurnal Komunikasi, 15(1), 37–48.

Pixcap. (2024, September 2). Panduan utama desain grafis Jepang pada tahun 2024.

Sachari, A. (2006). Pergeseran Nilai Estetis pada Desain Karya Cetak Indonesia di Abad ke-20: Studi Historiografi pada Iklan Cetak dan Kulit Muka Buku. Jurnal Desain Komunikasi Visual Nirmana, 7(1).

Saito, A. (2015). Japanese Aesthetics in the Age of New Media [Southern Illinois University Carbondale]. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/gs_rp/705/

Short, T. L. (2007). Peirce’s theory of signs. Cambridge University Press.

Simola, L., Hyönä, J., & Kuisma, J. (2014). Perception of Visual Advertising in Different Media: From attention to Distraction, Persuasion, Preference and Memory. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(1208). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01208

Tinarbuko, S. (2004). Semiotika Analisis Tanda Pada Karya Desain Komunikasi Visual. Jurnal Desain Komunikasi Visual Nirmana, 5(1), 31–47.

Wen, L., Wang, J., Chen, W., & Sun, L. (2022). Research on the Visual Imagery of Posters based on the Culture Code Theory of Design. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(861366). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.861366

デジタル大辞泉精選版日. 小. (n.d.). Kotobank. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://kotobank.jp/word/ポスター-3170592