Peircean Semiotic Theory and General Semiotic Books
This is the 1st annotated booklist focusing on Peircean and general semiotic theory books. This valuable booklist comes with a brief designer-centric review, Booklinker URLs and a Harvard reference for each book.
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#1. Semiotics for Designers and Illustrators: Using Peirce’s Semiotic Sign-action to Give Visual Communication (more) Meaning
This is my first book on Peircean semiotic theory for designers and illustrators. In it I explain, in plain language, the principles of Peirce's pragmatic semiotic theory in visual communication contexts. Over nine chapters and nine case studies I explain how Semiosis can be applied into designers' and illustrators' ideation phases to enhance visually communicating to an audience.
(Spring 2026) Book Newsletter
Wood, D. (2026) Semiotics for Designers and Illustrators: Using Peirce’s Semiotic Sign-action to Give Visual Communication (more) Meaning. London: Bloomsbury.
#2. Introduction to Peircean Visual Semiotics by Tony Jappy
This incredibly important book was crucial to my understanding of Peirce during my PhD. Jappy helps disseminate, in a more agreeable way, Peircean semiotic theory to non-semioticians. It is still a philosophical book, but it is a great interface between Peirce and everyone else. Tony Jappy has kindly referred other design academics to me as he is aware of my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
https://mybook.to/VisualSemiotics
Jappy, T. (2013) Introduction to Peircean Visual Semiotics. London: Bloomsbury.
#3. Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed by Cornelis de Waal
This book is a great book. The title says it all. While still a philosophical book it does help non-semioticians and non-philosophers to get to grips with Peirce.
https://mybook.to/Peirce4Perplexed
De Waal, C. (2013) Peirce: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury
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#4. This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics
Hall’s book was one of the first books I bought on semiotics when I found myself having to teach a class in semiotics at university. This excellent book provides visual examples of how semiotic theory works, and includes text describing the semiotic journey.
https://mybook.to/ThisMeansThis
Hall, S. (2007) This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd.
#5. The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 1 Principles of Philosophy by Charles Sanders Peirce
This book is volume 1 in an out of print collection of Peirce’s papers. I used these editions in my PhD but I could only get them from the university library. Peirce’s theory of semiotics is spread across his writings, which makes it problematic for designers and illustrators to follow the theory at source. This is one of the many reasons behind setting up Semiosis 101 videos, and my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
(Library Loan Only)
Peirce, C.S. (1931) The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 1 Principles of Philosophy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
#6. The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 2 Elements of Logic by Charles Sanders Peirce
This book is volume 2 in an out of print collection of Peirce’s papers. I used these editions in my PhD but I could only get them from the university library. Peirce’s theory of semiotics is spread across his writings, which makes it problematic for designers and illustrators to follow the theory at source. This is one of the many reasons behind setting up Semiosis 101 videos, and my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
(Library Loan Only)
Peirce, C.S. (1932) The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 2 Elements of Logic. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
#7. The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 3 Exact Logic by Charles Sanders Peirce
This book is volume 3 in an out of print collection of Peirce’s papers. I used these editions in my PhD but I could only get them from the university library. Peirce’s theory of semiotics is spread across his writings, which makes it problematic for designers and illustrators to follow the theory at source. This is one of the many reasons behind setting up Semiosis 101 videos, and my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
(Library Loan Only)
Peirce, C.S. (1933) The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 3 Exact Logic. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
#8. The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 4 The Simplest Mathematics by Charles Sanders Peirce
This book is volume 4 in an out of print collection of Peirce’s papers. I used these editions in my PhD but I could only get them from the university library. Peirce’s theory of semiotics is spread across his writings, which makes it problematic for designers and illustrators to follow the theory at source. This is one of the many reasons behind setting up Semiosis 101 videos, and my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
(Library Loan Only)
Peirce, C.S. (1934) The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. 4 The Simplest Mathematics. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
#9. The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. V Pragmatism and Pragmaticism by Charles Sanders Peirce
This book is volume 5 in an out of print collection of Peirce’s papers. I used these editions in my PhD but I could only get them from the university library. Peirce’s theory of semiotics is spread across his writings, which makes it problematic for designers and illustrators to follow the theory at source. This is one of the many reasons behind setting up Semiosis 101 videos, and my Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
(Library Loan Only)
Peirce, C.S. (1934) The Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Vol. V Pragmatism and Pragmaticism. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
#10. The Essential Peirce, Volume 1: Selected Philosophical Writings (1867–1893) by Nathan Houser and Christian J.W. Kloesel
This book and the second volume collects a range of Peirce’s philosophical writings which includes those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as the out of print Collected Papers volumes, these books are essential reference books to ground your understanding of Semiosis in.
https://mybook.to/EssentialPeirce1
Houser, N. and Kloesel, C.J.W. (Eds.) (1992) The Essential Peirce, Volume 1: Selected Philosophical Writings (1867–1893). Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#11. The Essential Peirce, Volume 2: Selected Philosophical Writings (1893–1913) by The Peirce Edition Project
This book and the first volume collects a range of Peirce’s philosophical writings which includes those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as the out of print Collected Papers volumes, these books are essential reference books to ground your understanding of Semiosis in.
https://mybook.to/EssentialPeirce2
The Peirce Edition Project (Eds.) (1998) The Essential Peirce, Volume 2: Selected Philosophical Writings (1893–1913). Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#12. A Theory of Semiotics by Umberto Eco
As well as writing the excellent The Name of the Rose Umberto Eco wrote extensively on semiotic theory. This book provides great insights.
https://mybook.to/EcoSemiotics
Eco, U. (1978) A Theory of Semiotics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#13. Interactive Media: The Semiotics of Embodied Interaction by Shaleph O’Neill
Shaleph’s book was extremely important to my PhD research in understanding Peirce in the context of design. Shaleph is now a work colleague of mine at DJCAD at the University of Dundee, Scotland, where I joined the faculty in 2020. Shaleph and myself collaborated in 2019 on a research project at the Running With Scissors conference by the European Academy of Design, as part of my ongoing Semiotic Rosetta Stone research.
https://mybook.to/ShalephSemiotics
O’Neill, S. (2008) Interactive Media: The Semiotics of Embodied Interaction. London: Springer-Verlag.
#14. Peirce by Albert Atkin
This is a good introductory reader on Peirce and his thinking. Chapter 2 provides an insightful overview of Pragmatism, while chapter 4 outlines Peirce’s sign theory.
Atkin, A. (2016) Peirce. London: Routledge.
#15. Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics in the Visual Arts by David Crow
The late David Crow’s general semiotic theory reader aimed at the creative industries. It covers a broad theory range with visual examples. I had the fortune to be asked by Bloomsbury Publishing to review Visible Signs to help David update this 4th edition.
https://mybook.to/VisibleSigns
Crow, D. (2022) Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics in the Visual Arts. London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
#16. Semiotics: The Basics by Daniel Chandler
This book is a general reader on the main semiotic theories, and it contains the excellent ‘box’ metaphor to explain Peirce’s sign-action (Semiosis).
https://mybook.to/SemioticsChandler
Chandler, D. (2007) Semiotics: The Basics [2nd Edition]. Oxford: Routledge.
#17. Charles S. Peirce, Selected Writings by Philip P. Weiner
A book of selective philosophical writings including those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as other books, it is still a useful reference book to ground your understanding of Semiosis in.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSelectedWritings
Weiner, P.P. (ed) (2003) Charles S. Peirce, Selected Writings. Charles S. Peirce, Selected Writings. New York: Dover Publications Inc.
#18. Charles S. Peirce The Essential Writings by Edward C. Moore
A book of selective philosophical writings including those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as other books, it is still a useful reference book to ground your understanding of Semiosis in.
https://mybook.to/MooreEssential
Moore, E.C. (Ed) (1998) The Essential Writings (Great Books in Philosophy). New York: Prometheus Books.
#19. Philosophical Writings of Peirce by Justus Buchler
A book of selective philosophical writings including those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as other books, it is still a useful reference book to ground your understanding of Semiosis in, especially Peirce’s paper on Logic as Semiotic: The Theory of Signs, pp98-119.
https://mybook.to/PeircePhilosophical
Buchler, J. (Ed) (1986) Philosophical Writings of Peirce. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
#20. Signs and Meaning in the Cinema (BFI Silver) by Peter Wollen
A fine book within the Creative Industries, Wollen discusses semiotics in film with a smooth synthesis between Saussure and Peirce. Check the book’s index for Peirce’s references in the main text. With my first look I found Wollen’s explanation of Symbolic representation the most succinct I’ve read.
https://mybook.to/WollenCinema
Wollen, P. (2013) Signs and Meaning in the Cinema. London: British Film Institute.
#21. Peirce on Signs: Writings on Semiotic by Charles Sanders Peirce by James Hoopes
A book of selective philosophical writings including those on semiotics. While not as comprehensive as other books, it is still a useful reference book to ground your understanding of Semiosis in. This book is very useful with Hoopes’ context to each text.
https://mybook.to/PeirceonSigns
Hoopes, J. (1991) Peirce on Signs: Writings on Semiotic by Charles Sanders Peirce. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
#22. Semiosis: Semiotics and the History of Culture by Morris Halle, Ladislav Matejka, Boris Uspenskij and Krystyna Pomorska
A collection of essays on Peirce in English, French, German and Russian. I only have one language so I cannot comment on the essays in French, German and Russian, so I can only comment on the English essays. As such those essays are useful in gaining further insights into Semiosis.
https://mybook.to/HalleSemiosis
Halle, M., Matejka, L., Pomorska, K. and Uspenskij, B. eds. (1984) Semiosis: Semiotics and the History of Culture. Michigan: University of Michigan.
#23. Semiotics and Philosophy in Charles Sanders Peirce by Rossella Fabbrichesi and Susanna Marietti
A collection of essays. I found chapter 1 by Nathan Houser, chapter 2 by Michael Otte, chapter 6 by Ivo Assad Ibri and chapter 7 by Susanna Marietti very useful.
https://mybook.to/MariettiSemiotics
Fabbrichesi, R. and Marietti, S. (Eds.) (2006) Semiotics and Philosophy in Charles Sanders Peirce. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
#24. Charles S. Peirce’s Philosophy of Signs: Essays in Comparative Semiotics by Gérard Deledalle
This is a very useful reader in Peirce’s thinking on semiotics through essays by Deledalle stretching over 50 years. The first three parts of the book are very rewarding, especially part two’s essays.
https://mybook.to/DeledallePeirce
Deledalle, G. (2001) Charles S. Peirce’s Philosophy of Signs: Essays in Comparative Semiotics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#25. The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume I. by Dan Shapiro and Michael Cabot Haley
This is book is the first volume from 1993 collecting contemporary papers, which provide background reading on how the applications of Peirce’s semiotic theory.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSeminarPapers1
Shapiro, D. and Haley, M.C. (eds.) (1993) The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume I. Oxford: Berg Publishers.
#26. The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume II. by Dan Shapiro and Michael Cabot Haley
This is book is the second volume from 1994 collecting contemporary papers, which provide background reading on how the applications of Peirce’s semiotic theory.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSeminarPapers2
Shapiro, D. and Haley, M.C. (eds.) (1994) The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume II. Oxford: Berg Publishers.
#27. The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume III. by Dan Shapiro
This is book is the third volume from 1999# collecting contemporary papers, which provide background reading on how the applications of Peirce’s semiotic theory.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSeminarPapers3
Shapiro, D. (ed.) (1999) The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume III. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc;.
#28. The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume IV. by Dan Shapiro and Michael Cabot Haley
This is book is the fourth volume from 1999 collecting contemporary papers, which provide background reading on how the applications of Peirce’s semiotic theory.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSeminarPapers4
Shapiro, D. and Haley, M.C. (eds.) (1999) The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume IV. Oxford: Berg Publishers.
#29. The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume V. by Dan Shapiro and Michael Cabot Haley
This is book is the fifth volume from 2003 collecting contemporary papers, which provide background reading on how the applications of Peirce’s semiotic theory.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSeminarPapers5
Shapiro, D. and Haley, M.C. (eds.) (2003) The Peirce Seminar Papers: Annual of Semiotic Analysis Volume V. Oxford: Berg Publishers.
#30. Signs Grow: Semiosis and Life Processes by Floyd Merrell
Merrell is on the bio-Semiosis side of applying Peircean semiotic theory. While this is a different application of the theory, Merrell is very good in explaining, in a comparable way, how sign-action can be applied into practice. I used Merrell a lot in my PhD and post-doctoral Semiotic Rosetta Stone research on applying Peirce to Visual Communication Design practice.
Merrell, F. (1996) Signs Grow: Semiosis and Life Processes. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
#31. Semiosis in the Postmodern Age by Floyd Merrell
Again, although Merrell is on the bio-Semiosis side, he is excellent in explaining Peirce’s sign-action process. The tip is to use the index to locate the useful references to semiotics for designers.
https://mybook.to/MerrellSemiosis
Merrell, F. (1995) Semiosis in the Postmodern Age. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#32. Peirce, Signs, and Meaning by Floyd Merrell
Merrell is on the bio-Semiosis side of Peirce, he is excellent in explaining Peirce’s sign-action process. Again the tip with this book for creatives is to use the index to locate the useful references to semiotics.
https://mybook.to/PeirceSignsMeaning
Merrell, F. (1997) Peirce, Signs, and Meaning. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
#33. Signs Becoming Signs: Our Perfusive, Pervasive Universe by Floyd Merrell
The last of Merrell’s books I have. As I have said above, the way for creatives to use his books is via the index. Merrell has been instrumental in helping my understanding sign-action, even though I had to do the work in transferring the theory to Visual Communication Design.
https://mybook.to/BecomingSigns
Merrell, F. (1991) Signs Becoming Signs: Our Perfusive, Pervasive Universe. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#34. A General Introduction to the Semeiotic of Charles Sanders Peirce by James Jakob Liszka
Semeiotic is a peculiarity of Peirce’s terminology to differentiate his semiotics from other theories, just like his Pragmatism was renamed Pragmaticism later on. In this book chapters 2 and 4 are the most rewarding.
https://mybook.to/LiszkaGeneralIntro
Liszka, J.J. (1996) A General Introduction to the Semeiotic of Charles Sanders Peirce. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#35. Dialogic Semiosis: An Essay on Signs and Meanings by Jorgen Dines Johansen
This book of essays is very good especially on understanding Interpretants. Like Merrell’s books, the studious use of the index is recommended to jump to the most relevant parts on representation.
https://mybook.to/DialogicSemiosis
Johansen, J.D. (1993) Dialogic Semiosis: An Essay on Signs and Meaning. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#36. The Bloomsbury Companion to Contemporary Peircean Semiotics by Tony Jappy
This very recent collection of essays features quite a few of the above authors, plus an essay by a Peircean semiotician I have collaborated with, Professor Paul Cobley. Professor Tony Pappy’s edited book is a great reader on Peirce and features lots of useful views on a range of applications and analysis of Semiosis.
https://mybook.to/JappyCompanion
Jappy, T. (Ed.) (2021) The Bloomsbury Companion to Contemporary Peircean Semiotics. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.
#37. Peirce's Twenty-Eight Classes of Signs and the Philosophy of Representation: Rhetoric, Interpretation and Hexadic Semiosis by Tony Jappy
Peirce defined ten semiotic signs, from simple to complex. In this book Professor Tony Jappy draws out the the essential theoretical differences between Peirce’s earlier 10 signs, and his later theoretical work where he defined 28 in total. Not for beginners.
https://mybook.to/Jappy28Signs
Jappy, T. (2018) Peirce's Twenty-Eight Classes of Signs and the Philosophy of Representation: Rhetoric, Interpretation and Hexadic Semiosis. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.
#38. The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World's Oldest Symbols by Genevieve von Petzinger
This book is not directly about semiotics but is an amazing book on the roots of humanity’s abstract thinking using signs. In her ongoing research von Petzinger has documented, analysed and created a typology of 32 geometric signs and shapes from across Palaeolithic Europe. This proposes that these geometric shapes retained some culturally agreed and evolving symbolic meaning over three millennia to generations of our Palaeolithic ancestors. This would mean an evolving social-cultural visual language within this region of Europe.
Von Petzinger, G. (2016). The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World’s Oldest Symbols. New York: Atria Books.
#39. FireSigns – A Semiotic Theory for Graphic Design by Steven Skaggs
While in Semiosis 101 I have arrived at a framing of the application of Peirce’s Semiosis into Visual Communication Design, Skaggs’ excellent book offers a parallel approach, creating a parallel model that blends graphic design, semiotics and psychology. In my Semiosis 101 I have followed a path to Peirce from my PhD research. In season 2 of the Semiosis 101 videos I hope to make some videos exploring our two different approaches, and maybe even synthesising them. Steven Skaggs reached out to me and Shaleph O’Neill just before the Covid pandemic, and was aiming to visit our university as part of his sabbatical year. Unfortunately this never happened. Watch this space.
Skaggs, S. (2017) Firesigns: A Semiotic Theory for Graphic Design. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
#40. Peirce's Theory of Signs by T.L. Short
Another book that is a useful reader to get another perspective of how to understand Peirce’s theory. Like other books the tip is to use the index. I found chapter 12 useful to get to grips with Peirce’s Abductive reasoning as a technique.
https://mybook.to/TheoryOfSigns
Short, T.L. (2007) Peirce’s Theory of Signs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
#41. Handbook of Semiotics by Winfried Noth
The Amazon blurb leads with “This is the most systematic discussion of semiotics yet published” and I have to agree. Nöth’s book is a reference that everyone interested in semiotics should have to refer back to again and again.
https://mybook.to/NothHandbook
Nöth, W. (1990) Handbook of Semiotics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#42. Signs in Use: An Introduction to Semiotics by Jorgen Dines Johansen and Svend Erik Larsen
This book cuts across different schools of semiotics, but from a Peircean perspective I found chapters 2 and 6 very useful. A tip here is to skim read the chapters, highlight the Peircean terms you’re looking for and focus on those sections. I keep coming back to this book to look up different terms, to get another perspective on understanding Peirce.
Johansen, J.D. and Larsen, E.L. (2002) Signs in Use: An Introduction to Semiotics. London: Routledge.
#43. Peirce for Architects by Richard Coyne
This book is aimed at architects but is transferable. University of Edinburgh’s Professor Richard Coyne says in his acknowledgements, “A PhD thesis by Dave Wood renewed my interest in C.S. Peirce”. Yes, that is me. Professor Coyne was my internal PhD examiner in 2016, and my PhD viva spurred him to rediscover Peirce in the context of his discipline. In this book Coyne adds a lot of great new designer-centric perspectives on applying Peirce.
https://mybook.to/Peirce4Architects
Coyne, R. (2019) Peirce for Architects. London: Routledge.
#44. Peirce's Philosophy of Communication: The Rhetorical Underpinnings of the Theory of Signs by Mats Bergman
Modelling Peirce as a theory of communication, Bergman’s book’s chapter 2 is really informative. In it he discusses theory and practice, and from this approach I was impressed and inspired to develop Semiosis 101.
https://mybook.to/BergmanRhetorical
Bergman, M. (2009) Peirce’s Philosophy of Communication. London: Continuum International Publishing Group.
#45. The Primacy of Semiosis: An Ontology of Relations by Paul Bains
This is a comparative book on semiotics. Bains reappraises Peirce and comparative semiotic theories that “breaks the vicious circle of signs”. It is an ontology of other semioticians’ ideas, more so than Peirce directly.
https://mybook.to/BainsPrimacySemiosis
Bains, P. (2006) The Primacy of Semiosis: An Ontology of Relations. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
#46. Existential Semiotics by Eero Tarasti
An important part of my PhD research was a synthesis between Peircean semiotic theory and Hermeneutic Phenomenology. This essentially meant taking an existentialist position. So although Tarasti is from the European schools of semiotic thought, his approach to semiotics and hermeneutics was really intriguing.
https://mybook.to/ExistentialSemiotics
Tarasti, E. (2001) Existential Semiotics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
#47. The Visual Language of Comics: Introduction to the Structure and Cognition of Sequential Images by Neil Cohn
In this book about comic theory, Cohn draws on (no pun intended) Peirce’s semiotic theory. Sequential art certainly falls into the remit of Semiosis 101 videos, so Cohn’s synthesis of Peirce into drawing comic strips is a strong contender for any creative trying to understand Peirce.
Cohn, N. (2013) The Visual Language of Comics: Introduction to the Structure and Cognition of Sequential Images. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.
#48. Archaeological Semiotics by Robert W. Preucel
This archaeological book ties two of my interests together: ancient history and Peircean semiotics. Preucel’s embedding of Peircean semiotic theory into a discipline’s practice. This makes this book a really interesting comparative read.
https://mybook.to/PreucelSemiotics
R.W. Preucel (2010) Archaeological Semiotics. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
#49. In Search of Semiotics by David Sless
This comparative book on semiotics by Sless covers both Saussure and Peirce, with a broader overview of semiotics. If you are interested in getting a gist of Saussure and other semiotic theorists it’s helpful.
https://mybook.to/SearchofSemiotics
Sless, D. (1986) In Search of Semiotics. Beckenham: Croom Helm Ltd.
#50. Signs, Symbols and Ciphers: Decoding the Message by Georges Jean and Sophie Hawkes
This book is not directly a semiotic book but it does explore the human ability to interpret signs and symbols. For that alone it is a really interesting companion to books on Peirce.
https://mybook.to/DecodingtheMessage
Jean, G. and Hawkes, S. (1999) Signs, Symbols and Ciphers: Decoding the Message. London: Thames & Hudson.
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