Ian Russell wrote:
> 
> OK. I'll be the one to ask. I'm sure everybody else here knows. What's a functional semiotic metaphor, in the context of visitor experiences and exhibit design?
 
Well I'm glad you asked that! The basis of this madness is all about a
typical ( define that if you can) hands-on exhibit being a metaphor for
an underlying scientific idea. The semiotics came in as a way of fitting
(with a large crowbar) the idea into a framework that could be used to
evaluate an exhibit during development or use. The idea being that we
perceive reality as a set of signs, if the signs in an exhibit are
'good' then the principle will be obvious, if the signs are mis-leading
or contradict each other, then the exhibit may not function quite so
well. 

This was one of those ideas that strike you in the middle of the night
and grow to become a monster. It may all be rubbish or a case of 'new
clothes' but it does provide a diferent way of looking at things. 

I hope to create a PDF file over the weekend, I will then post it out to
those that want it, and run for the hills ;-)
For those that want to have a look at semiotics I suggest Cobley, P. and
Jansz, L. (1999) Introducing Semiotics, Icon books. If nothing else it
is nice to colour in the pictures!

All the best,
Phil.
--
Phil Pinder
Pinder Research Services
Tel: 01222 419917
Fax: 01222 319610
Mobile: 0771 4514613
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*The general public has long been divided into
two parts; those who think science can do anything,
and those who are afraid it will.
[New Scientist, July 5, 1973]
Dixy Lee Ray, 1914-1994
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