Entre signos e símbolos: a identidade visual de Taylor Swift no decorrer de suas eras

Abstract

This study focuses on the semiotic analysis of the album covers of singer Taylor Swift, addressing the following research question: “How has Taylor Swift's identity been constructed throughout the musical eras represented by the album covers?” The objectives of the study are as follows: General objective: to understand how the singer's visual identity was built and modified over the course of her musical eras. Specific objectives: a) To select visual identity materials from the three musical genres that the singer has explored during her eras; b) To understand the strategies used in the construction of the visual identity for each era; c) To analyze how the elements of the album covers reflect changes in her public image throughout the trajectory of her visual identity. Through a methodology based on semiotic analysis, visual elements such as composition, color, typography, symbolism, and aesthetics are examined in order to decipher the meanings and implicit messages in the visual choices. The selection of covers spans from her early works in the country genre to her more recent ventures into pop and indie, allowing for the identification of stylistic patterns, narrative transitions, and communication strategies. The analysis highlights how Swift's visual identity reflects not only her artistic transformations but also her engagement with the contemporary cultural and social context, solidifying her public image and connection with her audience.