Blog Assignment #1 Reflecting on Design in Everyday Life

A graphic design that works well at communicating a message is the bike parking sign at Allegra, a print and design store situated near downtown Hamilton. The most noticeable part of the graphic is the simple imagery which instead relies on many denotative and connotative meanings to communicate its message in a way that resonates with cyclists and the general public.

Looking at the initial denotative meaning of this design there is a combination of overt mentions of bicycles in the text as well as imagery of a bike in the typography and background, the latter of which occupies the largest amount of space in the center of the graphic. There is also a contrast between the green text and black background at the top and between the white text and green shape at the bottom of the design which makes the text easy to read in both locations. This strengthens the design due to the simple overt meanings and appearances.

Connotatively there are also a variety of meanings within the imagery but the most obvious of which would be the use of green. This is to build on a pre-existing belief that a bicycle, the signifier, is good for the environment or quite literally “green”, the signified, and thus is the formation of a “sign” in semiotics terms. This intelligent use of the existing cultural ideology is also very important in the performance of the design.

In addition, this lends power to Allegra by communicating that they are also helping the environment through the inclusion of their logo at the bottom. They further use an Internet hashtag implying that the company is “bike friendly” and hence appear active in promoting and supporting cycling outside of their own business to the general public. These strengths in design both improve the public image of the company directly.

However, outside of the design, there is also prominence and power given by its placement directly in front of the store with no obstructions from both the front and back which makes it easily viewed by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicle traffic. Hence, and working together with the strengths of the graphic, there is a strong message communicated that is both deliberate and beneficial to Allegra which is also a reflection of the quality of the design itself.