Abstract:
The objectives of this research are to understand the signification of the tattoo in
print media advertisements, the meaning of the tattoo in advertisements as perceived by target consumers and the function of communication aesthetics of the tattoo in advertisements. The conceptual framework used in studying and analyzing the visual component of advertisements include concepts relating to the tattoo, Jakobsons Communication Model, Semiotics study and concepts relating to latent messages in advertisements. This is basically a qualitative research, focusing specifically on content analysis of advertisements with tattoo as their main components and interviews with target consumers and visual communication experts.
The findings of the research are as follows. The process the of meaning in
construction of tattoos in advertisements consists of 1) meaning construction by binary opposition, 2) construction of communication of communication intertext, 3) visual metaphor and 4) the use of tattoo for symbolic purposes. As regards the meaning of tattoos perceived by target consumers, it is found that their perception is the combined result of the experience in relating intertext with other works, the previous knowledge of the meaning of tattoo, the knowledge of the product and the impact of written text tattoo as well as the advertising context. As regards the function of communication aesthetics of tattoo perceived by visual communication experts, it is found that communication aesthetics of tattoo in advertisements are the combined result of the relationship between the choice of tattoo that looks good on the models body, the position of tattoo and the product itself.