One of the most important practices in being a graphic designer is being able to communicate your message clearly and accurately. Semiotics is the study of sign processes and communication with the use of signs. Signs are used in graphic design to send consumers a message and to help them deduce meanings specific to their personal understanding and experiance of that sign.
Symbol is a type of sign used in semiotics. This includes words, letters, sentences, or specifically any graphic with an arbitrary connection to the thing it represents (Peace Sign)
Icon are signs that are connected to whatever they represent by either resembling them or being similar such as a smiley face
Index has a connection with the thing it represents because it is not related to it not by way of resembling it but as a part of it such as a tree representing a forest.
In class on friday we were shown how to make a mark with a sable brush, discussed semiotics briefly, and began practicing how to communicate in design using them.