The Sense of the interface: applying Semiotics to HCI research

Abstract

The objective of this article is to reflect on the application of Semiotics to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and interface analysis. To accomplish the objective the article presents an example of semiotic analysis of a blog interface but the methodology proposed, conveniently adapted, may be applied to any kind of digital interactive environment. The analysis reconstructs the interface sense production device (including the surface of the page and the link architecture), identifies implied users and exchange scenes of the blog and concludes with some reflections on interface evolution and hybridation. Finally, the article proposes future trends for a Semiotics of HCI.