A long and discontinuous history. Three episodes from the history of semiotics-design relations and some reflections for its historiography.

Abstract

The article explores the long and discontinuous history of the relationship between design and semiotics through three key episodes. Differences and real epistemological ruptures among semiotic approaches that have dialogued with design, particularly with respect to the signification-communication of artifacts of use are highlighted. Such differences and ruptures challenge the idea of historical and perhaps even disciplinary continuity. However, unexpected connections also emerge. Understanding these differences may make design historians more sensitive when they intend to historiographically reconstruct the relations between semiotics and design.