Semiotics in Interior Design: An Analytical Study of Symbolic Patterns and Their Impact on Perceiving Interior Spaces

Bahy Eldeen, Afnan Mabrouk; Shihata, Nagwan; Abou Talib, Salma

doi:10.21608/aaj.2025.348704.1113

Semiotics in Interior Design: An Analytical Study of Symbolic Patterns and Their Impact on Perceiving Interior Spaces

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Interior design faculty of art and design Pharos University in Alexandria

² Professor of Interior Architecture and Former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts – Alexandria University Head of the Department of Decoration and Supervisor of Education and Student Affairs, Faculty of Arts and Design, Pharos University in Alexandria .

³ Lecturer of Interior Architecture, Department of Decoration, Faculty of Fine Arts – Alexandria University

10.21608/aaj.2025.348704.1113

Abstract

This study explores the concept of semiotics in interior design, focusing on the analysis of symbolic patterns and their role in shaping and perceiving interior spaces. The research is grounded in semiotic theories, particularly Peirce’s classification of symbols (iconic, indexical, and symbolic), to examine the relationship between physical elements and the abstract meanings they convey.
The study highlights that interior design is a complex symbolic system reflecting cultural, social, and aesthetic values. Physical elements such as color, material, and structure interact with symbols to create a holistic perceptual experience. Iconic symbols rely on visual resemblance, indexical symbols depict causal relationships between form and meaning, while symbolic symbols are culturally agreed upon to convey meanings.
The research also examines the relationship between extension and intention as symbolic functions in interior design. Extension represents the clear and direct meanings of design elements, while intention focuses on the cultural and emotional meanings these elements hold. The analysis reveals that interior design acts as a symbolic medium connecting designers and users through a semiotic framework encompassing the signifier and the signified.
The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of semiotic analysis in interior design to foster a deeper understanding of symbolic elements. This approach contributes to creating designs that enhance emotional and cultural communication with users and support the development of human-centered interior spaces. The research provides a critical framework for understanding symbols in interior design and highlights their role in strengthening cultural and aesthetic identity.

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