1. The first sign that I found was the private property sign. I believe this sign to be a symbol because it represents authority by being the color red and white. Also it relates to the object thorough custom and law, which is a property of a symbol. It makes you feel as though you need to stay away and not come any closer. I found this sign outside of Shaw across the street, where usually people would walk through instead of going around to get to College Place. Just recently the University put this sign up to help bring privacy to the nearby houses. Also this sign brings with it authority because people are threatened with a punishment if they break the signs rule.
2. The next sign I studied was the warning sign outside of the School of Information studies. To me I believe that this sign is also a symbol because of the bold words “Warning Notice.” It once again threatens the person reading the sign through custom and rule, which are properties of a symbol. Also the sign gives warning to potential rule breakers who might think that loitering on campus is acceptable. According to the sign these people will be prosecuted by SU police.
3. The third sign I studied was the caution sign outside of the men’s restroom in Schine Student Center. To me this sign represents an icon and a symbol. I believe it to be an icon because it depicts a person not being careful and slipping. I consider it to be a symbol because of the bold yellow and red colors that help make it symbolic and show caution. This sign helps bring the consequences to people who aren’t paying attention when the floor is wet. It helps show that people need to slow down and be more aware of their surroundings.
I like how you are taking your own photos here! What do we make of different signs of authority in first two instances? Why Green in second image and not red and white or vice versa? Also, are all these signs also an index?
I agree with both of your points that color has a significant effect on the type of sign. Most importantly how people perceive the sign is directly related to the color. I think that one of the signs is green because it is on the Syracuse University campus (iSchool). This color marks it as University property and penalties coincide with Universities punishment. I think that the other sign is red because it has to do with the city of Syracuse. Therefore, all penalties relate to the cities digression not the University. I believe that the city has a more effective sign because it stands out to the bystander. Additionally, I feel that Prof. Gries you are correct in saying that these signs can also be an index. That is because the sign and object have something in common, the object really affects the sign.
I agree with your labeling and liked how you took your own pictures. Syracuse campus was a great location to choose to pick your signs. I do agree that colors reflect a significant part in how people react to them. You picked signs that show authority and awareness and I believe that the colors and design of a sign is an intricate part of the interpretation.
I agree with number one and labeling it a symbol.
I also agree with number two. Its interesting that there are different styles of making authoritative signs that convey similar messages.
I feel number three is correct as well. I feel that the definition for indexes is obscure and very broad. I feel these signs would be considered indexes only through the symbols (letters) that form word that give meaning to the sign.