Semiotics Made Practical

After more than 30 years in the research mix, semiotics is still a bit of a mystery: what’s with the clever name? Is it a science or an art? What makes the findings credible? This intensive day-course will not only clear up the mystery (and take you behind the curtain) but will enable you to carry out your own semiotic analyses before the day is out.

In this course, we’ll:

• Explore the world of semiotics, from its early thinkers to its legendary practitioners
• Wash down the elephant in the room: Why has semiotics always seemed a bit obscure? What’s changed?
• Get Practical I: learn how to talk semiotics with simplicity and confidence
• Get Practical II: do some actual analysis and get a feel for how semiotics works in reality
• Take plenty of breaks (there’ll be a lot to think about!)

Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

• An introduction to the discipline of semiotics: where it came from, how it's grown alongside consumer culture
• An understanding of how semiotics works in an everyday business context: proposing, workshopping, working alongside other research strands
• Getting a client perspective on using semiotics, via a guest speaker
• Some 'toolkit takeaways' for your own thinking and analysis, post-course
• Extensive hands-on practice in 'getting semiotic'

Who will benefit?

Anyone who wants to get to grips with semiotics in the everyday world of brands and culture.

Course Delivery Mode

Online

Trainer Biography

Rob Thomas studied semiotics at Oxford and learned about brands and retail at P&G and L’Oréal. He then put the two together (after an apprenticeship with the ground-breaking Semiotic Solutions) to create Practical Semiotics in 2005.

For twenty years and counting Rob has been thinking about culture, communication, words, images, materials and environments for everyone from HM Civil Service to Chupa Chups.

Due to high demand, Rob’s course now runs twice a year, via Zoom and IRL.

Harassment and Safeguarding Policy

By booking this event, you agree to abide by the MRS Harassment and Safeguarding Policy. A copy of the policy can be viewed here: MRS Event Harassment and Safeguarding Policy.

MRS is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all attendees. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in you being asked to leave the event without a refund. In addition, MRS reserves the right, at its discretion, to refuse future bookings and attendance at MRS events.

If at any point during the event you experience or witness anything concerning, please speak to a member of the MRS team immediately so we can address it promptly and appropriately.

If you wish to raise a concern after the event, please email conference@mrs.org.uk. Concerns will be handled sensitively and proportionately, and MRS may take action where expected standards are breached.