Analysis of Human Rights-Themed Posters Using a Semiotic Approach: A Review of the TRPOSTER Exhibition

Throughout human history, the search for meaning has determined the forms of communication established by individuals with their environment. In this context, semiotics is an important branch of science that analyzes messages conveyed through written and visual signs and reveals the hidden and implicit layers of meaning behind design. The transmission and interpretation of cultural themes in social life influence how messages are perceived, and this can vary among individuals. This study examines five human rights-themed posters selected from the TRPOSTER platform within the framework of Ferdinand de Saussure's concepts of “sign,” “signifier,” and “signified” and Roland Barthes' approaches to “denotation” and “connotation” using qualitative research methods. The main objective of the research is to evaluate the visual and written elements in the posters within their social and cultural contexts to reveal the layers of meaning behind the messages conveyed. The study contributes to the literature by examining the semiotic dimensions of posters aimed at raising public awareness in the field of graphic design. The findings reveal that graphic design functions as a universal and powerful means of communication through symbolic signs.