What are semiotics?

Semiotics. They are everywhere we look. They can easily be seen in advertisements and on signs; but what about objects? The line of dolls named Barbie, for example, has signs hidden in its product. Barbie is happily with Ken, always has on the perfect outfit, and changes her job everyday; Barbie easily does it all! The two signifieds that children are getting from this is that you can be anything you want and that life is perfect. Being able to become anything you want when you are older is a positive sign that children should be getting, but it is not reasonable to think that life should be perfect. So semiotics are not always putting off the best messages, but the signifier could be putting off multiple meanings that could be interpreted wrong. In the end, it all comes down to what we, as individuals, take from these signifiers.