Visualizing triadic relations Diagrams for Charles S. Peirce's classifications of signs

摘要

Charles S. Peirce designed many diagrams to model different aspects of his classifications of signs. Peirce scholars also contributed to the understanding of Peirce's classifications by designing new diagrams, eventually using colour, dimensions and movement. The 20 diagrams presented here were conceived to better explain the structural, hierarchical and dynamic relations found in Peirce's classifications of signs, a topic that should be of interest to anyone aiming to apply semiotics to design studies. The comparative analysis of those diagrams highlights commonalities as well as important differences, providing an interesting case of multiple diagrammatic representations of the same complex conceptual structure.