Use of semiological analysis in graphical design instruction: Sample analyses on book cover

Graphic design education is one of the visual arts area within the scope of art teaching. In graphic design course, students both create their own designs benefiting from design elements such as image, color, line, pattern etc and they encounter many figurative expressions regarding both graphics and other areas of art in their daily lives. However, while students create their own works and interpret the designs they encounter, their interpretations may remain superficial. In this regard, semiology approaches may contribute to the depth gaining of students in this direction. In this context, main purpose of the study is to put forth semiological analysis examples within the subject of "Book Cover Design" included in the graphic design course on the use of semiological analysis in graphic design lesson. In accordance with the main purpose of the study, semiological analysis of three book covers were made within the context of "Basic Qualitative Research Method". These analyses were made on the front covers of "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco, "The Little Black Fsih" by Samed Behrengi and "Legend of Ararat" by Yaşar Kemal. In the selection of books, the main target was that the books should reflect what is inside of them. Semiological analysis approaches selected for analyzing book covers are determined according to the indicators on the book covers. In this regard, cover page of "The Name of the Rose" was analyzed according to the indicator types of Charles Sanders Peirce, "The Little Black Fsih" and "Legend of Ararat" book covers were analyzed according to the denotation-connotation concepts of Roland Barthes. As a result of the research findings, it was seen that the semiological analyses contributed to the interpretation of the images on book covers. In this regard, it was considered that the use of semiological analysis in graphic design lesson may help students interpret the graphic Works and it was suggested that semiology may be included in the graphic design lesson. Key Words: Art Education, Graphic Design Education, Semiological Analysis, Book Cover Design.