摘要：Some concepts from theoretical schools such as semiology, structuralism and post-structuralism arereferenced in today’s discussions of design. Its language-ladeness which makes it appeals initially as pertinentto visual communication. Yet under the alleged reason of cross-disciplinary, design study often just wants to pickup one or two concepts without sufficient willingness to grasp their primer. It is very much contradictory sincesheer picking up is an anti-intellectual attitude, whereas all forms of study are intellectual in character. Greatscholar Alfred North Whitehead once complained those who quoted him in bits and pieces, as did not understandwhat is meant by his theory. It is true that design has a cross-disciplinary character. But since design is neitherphilosophy nor social science, it demands a study of their primer with respect (not oversimplifying), within thespirit of liberal arts. Hence this article does not intend to give 'structuralist' account of design; instead it is abrief study into primer of semiology, structuralism and post-structuralism. Its significance for design would bereflected afterwards
关键词：semiology; structuralism and post-structuralism; cross-disciplinary
