Semiotic Analysis on Advertisements

Good advertisements to me gets the audience to read, interpret, and then revisit the message that is conveyed. However, messages can be interpreted very differently depending on the reader's culture and their social environment.

Take a look at this print ad:

We see an antelope and a cat chasing after it in the wild. What we interpret from this is that we assume that the antelope is afraid of the typical house cat, however, the cat is being contrasted to a cheetah or some other powerful wild cat. This is effective for the brand Whiskas because it suggests that the food will make your pet cat very healthy and strong--strong enough to perhaps take on a full grown antelope (abstract meaning)!

Another good ad is this TV commercial:

Here several people are stating their opinions on what part of the Orea cookie is the best part: the creme or cookie. I react to this commercial in a nostalgic and somewhat playful childish way, because I think people are all naturally competitive or want to be right/win (abstract meaning). Many other people, not just for example your siblings or family members join in this debate such as police officers and it overall the ad is very playful and sparks debate among the audience.

Lastly, this billboard ad is very engaging and draws my attention:

 

It plays with figure ground, and is simply a big razor in front of a white board. This ad is 3D and with the grass cut/flattened in front of the blades path, it really creates that connection in your head that this razor was able to cut grass, and thus your hair or whatever you want/need to shave (abstract meaning).