تحلیل نشانه‌شناسی لوگوی دو باشگاه پرطرفدار فوتبال ایران

نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان
1 گروه مدیریت ورزشی ، دانشکده علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، ایران
2 گروه مدیریت ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، ایران
3 گروه مدیریت ورزشی دانشکده علوم ورزشی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، ایران
10.22034/ntsmj.2025.2038019.1095
چکیده
مقدمه:
هدف از این پژوهش کشف نشانه‌های موجود در لوگو دو باشگاه قدیمی و پرطرف‌دار فوتبال کشور؛ یعنی پرسپولیس و استقلال است تا مشخص کند آیا لوگوهای این دو باشگاه از مطلوبیت کافی برخوردار هستند یا خیر؟
روش پژوهش:
پژوهش حاضر به لحاظ هدف کاربردی است و به لحاظ ماهیت تحلیلی - توصیفی است. این پژوهش، باتکیه‌بر روش نشانه‌شناسی رولان بارت در صدد کشف نشانه‌های موجود در لوگو باشگاه‌ها فوتبال کشور بود. نمونه‌گیری در این تحقیق به‌صورت هدفمند بود. در این پژوهش سعی شد به فراخور موضوع تحقیق و باتوجه‌به محبوبیت، افتخارات، تعداد هواداران، کیفیت تیمی و سوابقی که دو باشگاه استقلال و پرسپولیس دارند، لگو این دوباشگاه از میان سایر لوگوهای باشگاه‌های فوتبال کشور به‌عنوان نمونه‌های تحقیق در نظر گرفته شدند و عناصر و رمزگان‌های نشانه‌ای آن‌ها مورد شناسایی و بررسی قرار گرفت.
یافته ها:
برسی لوگو باشگاه‌های استقلال و پرسپولیس نشان داد که ترکیب بصری آن‌ها به‌طور مؤثر هر دو عنصر کلامی و گرافیکی را به شیوه منسجم تلفیق می‌کند.. علاوه بر این، تلفیق تنوع و ظرفیت انتقال معنا از طریق رنگ در این دو لوگو از جمله فرصت‌هایی است که در طراحی آرم به آن توجه شده است. همچنین یافته‌های این پژوهش نشان داد که که لوگوهای مورد تحلیل در انتقال دلالت‌های ضمنی و ایجاد ارتباطی چند وجهی با مخاطبان خود با چالش هایی رو به رو هستند‌ و به همین علت نمی‌توانند ارتباط مطلوب و مفیدی را مخاطبان خود برقرار سازند اگر چه لوگوی باشگاه استقلال به طور نسبی تا حدودی موفق‌تر بوده است ، اما هر دو لوگو می‌توانستند از پتانسیل بیشتری برای ایجاد یک ارتباط عمیق‌تر و ماندگارتر با مخاطبین خود بهره‌مند شوند.
بحث و نتیجه گیری:
بر‌اساس یافته‌های حاصل از این پژوهش به سایر مدیران باشگاه‌های فوتبال پیشنهاد می‌گردد باتوجه‌به اهمیت و کارکرد لوگو، طرح‌های لوگوهای خود را مجدد از نظر اصول علم ارتباطات، علم نشانه‌شناسی و شاخص‌هایی که در این مقاله به آن اشاره شده است مورد بررسی و بازنگری قرار داده و در صورت لزوم تغییراتی را بر روی لوگوهای باشگاه خود اعمال نمایند تا بتواند از حداکثر کارایی آن‌ها استفاده نمایند.
کلیدواژه‌ها

عنوان مقاله English

Semiotic analysis of the logos of two popular Iranian football clubs

نویسندگان English

Ramtin Beheshti 1
Farhad Ebrahimi 2
Zahra Mirzazadeh 2
Mohammad keshtidar 3
1 Department of Sports Management , Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of Sports Management , Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
چکیده English

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Maintaining audience loyalty and attracting new supporters through visual tools such as logos is of paramount importance. In sports, logos symbolize a team or organization's history, culture, and values, playing a crucial role in establishing collective identity, fostering motivation, and even driving economic participation. These characteristics highlight the significant impact of effective logo design on solidifying a sports team's or related organization's position in the minds of its audience and target market. Generally, as part of a branding strategy, the logo serves as a key tool for expressing organizational identity and values, and for establishing effective communication with customers, fans, or target audiences. Beyond aesthetic considerations, the design and selection of an appropriate logo must convey the organization's desired messages and values simply and understandably, simultaneously evoking positive emotions and building trust. Given the increasing importance of logo usage across various industries, this paper explores the multifaceted dimensions of logo design, its impact on customer perception and branding, and methodologies grounded in scientific theories such as semiotics for optimizing its design.
Methods
This research employs a qualitative, applied research methodology with an analytical-descriptive nature, utilizing Roland Barthes's semiotic approach. The sampling method was purposive, selecting the logos of Esteghlal and Persepolis football clubs due to their popularity, achievements, and extensive fan bases. Data analysis is based on Barthes's dual-coding model, categorizing linguistic signs (shape, color, and cultural identities) and non-linguistic signs (font). Data collection involved a literature review, with the latest versions of the logos obtained from the clubs' official websites. Research validity was ensured through confirmability, credibility, and researcher self-reflection; the findings were also validated by semiotics experts.
Results
This research reveals that, from a semiotic perspective, the logos of Esteghlal and Persepolis football clubs represent distinct identities and values. Esteghlal's logo, with its abstract design incorporating intertwined rings and the boteh jegheh motif, displays a blend of tradition and modernity. Its visual and color elements include blue (symbolizing tranquility and trust), white (symbolizing purity), and gold (symbolizing achievements). Conversely, Persepolis's logo, utilizing the ankh symbol and inspired by Persepolis (the ancient city), emphasizes Iranian and historical identity. The colors red (symbolizing excitement and power), white (symbolizing vitality), black (symbolizing resilience), and gold (symbolizing the value of achievements) are employed. The semiotic analysis demonstrates that both logos successfully convey their organizational identity and values through visual and textual elements..
Conclusion
Logos, beyond their primary role in differentiation, function as visual and multimedia texts, communicating with audiences and contributing to meaning-making through signs. This research analyzed the logos of Persepolis and Esteghlal football clubs through a semiotic lens. The findings revealed that both logos utilize a hybrid design approach; however, Esteghlal's logo, due to its richer implicit and multifaceted meanings, exerts a more profound impact on the audience. Furthermore, the use of circular shapes and cultural symbols in Persepolis's logo points to national values, a component less prominent in Esteghlal's logo. Colors, as key design elements, convey significant emotional and evocative messages. It is recommended that future design iterations incorporate innovation in typography and simplification of graphic elements to enhance impact. Revising the logo designs based on semiotic principles and color psychology can strengthen brand identity and improve audience engagement.

کلیدواژه‌ها English

Esteghlal and Persepolis
Football clubs
Logo
Roland Barthes
Semiotics
  1. References

    1.      Abazari, Y. (2001). Roland Barthes, myth, and cultural studies. Erghanun Journal. (IN Persian)

    1. Abratt, R., & Kleyn, N. (2012). Corporate identity, corporate branding and corporate reputations: Reconciliation and integration. European journal of marketing46(7/8), 1048-1063.

    3.      Ahmadkhani, M. R. (2013). Semiotics: Language and art. Tehran: Gamman. (IN Persian)

    1. Ahn, T., Suh, Y. I., Lee, J. K., & Pedersen, P. M. (2013). Sport fans and their teams’ redesigned logos: An examination of the moderating effect of team identification on attitude and purchase intention of team-logoed merchandise. Journal of Sport Management27(1), 11-23 .

    5.      Azadeh Pakari, S. R., Shams Laherudi, S. H., & Rahju, S. (2019). Investigating the impact of logo design on consumers' purchase decisions of food products with the mediating role of brand equity. Journal of New Research Methods in Management and Accounting, 3(9), 150-164.(IN Persian)

    6.      Baradarankashani, Z., kermani, M., & fouladian, M. (2020). Representation of identity types in telegram profiles, based on the social semiotics of the image. Cultural Studies & Communication16(58), 165-192. doi: 10.22034/jcsc.2020.105302.1877. (IN Persian)

    1. Barthes, R. (1964). (1968). Elements of semiology (A. Lavers & C. Smith, Trans.). New York: Hill and Wang.

     

    1. Barthes, R. (2001). Structuralism, Poststructuralism and Literary Studies.

    9.      Bashiriyeh, H. (2000). Michel Foucault: Beyond structuralism and hermeneutics.Tehran:Nashr Ney.(IN Persian)

    10.  Beheshti, R. (2022). Analysis of the semiotics of sports advertising billboards based on Kruss and Van Leeuwen's model. Master's thesis. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (IN Persian)

    1. Bettels, J., & Wiedmann, K. P. (2019). Brand logo symmetry and product design: The spillover effects on consumer inferences. Journal of Business Research97, 1-9.
    2. Celhay, F., Boysselle, J., & Cohen, J. (2015). Food packages and communication through typeface design: The exoticism of exotypes. Food Quality and Preference, 39, 167-175.
    3. Cian, L., Krishna, A., & Elder, R. S. (2014). This logo moves me: Dynamic imagery from static images. Journal of Marketing Research51(2), 184-197.

    14.  Doroudi, H., & sepehrifar, H. (2020). Colors Are Highly Recommended, Is it Your Favorite Color; Is the Same Color You Like on the Packaging?. Packaging Science and Art11(43), 40-49.

    15.  Fadaei, M. H. (2023). The effects of logo design and redesign on brand audience attraction. In Proceedings of the First National Conference on Graphics and Interdisciplinary Interactive Approaches, Shiraz.  (IN Persian)

    16.  Fallahi, F., & soleimani, B. (2019). Comparative Assessment of Semiotic Effect of Logo on Customer Brand Attitude. Journal of Fine Arts: Visual Arts24(3), 43-50. doi: 10.22059/jfava.2019.274024.666127.

    17.  Farrokhi Rad, Z., Namvar Motlagh, B., & Khazaie, M. (2022). Analyzing the Characteristics of Logo Analysis as a Paratext in the Visual Perception of Iran Airlines. Islamic Art Studies18(44), 361-376. doi: 10.22034/ias.2022.320610.1825. (IN Persian)

    1. Fiske, J. (2001). Television Culture. Translation: Mojgan Brooman.

     

    1. Foroudi, P., Melewar, T. C., & Gupta, S. (2017). Corporate logo: History, definition, and components. International Studies of Management & Organization47(2), 176-196. (IN Persian)

     

    1. Henderson, P. W., & Cote, J. A. (1998). Guidelines for selecting or modifying logos. Journal of marketing62(2), 14-30.

    21.  Honarpour Tamiz, S. H. (2016). Decoding signs in the design of logos in Iran. In International Conference on Innovative Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning. (IN Persian)

    1. Hynes, N. (2009). Colour and meaning in corporate logos: An empirical study. Journal of Brand Management16, 545-555.

     

    1. Janiszewski, C., & Meyvis, T. (2001). Effects of brand logo complexity, repetition, and spacing on processing fluency and judgment. Journal of consumer research28(1), 18-32.

     

    1. Karimi Firouz Jaie, A., & karimi, K. (2021). The Application of Logos in Representation of The Advertisements of Islamic Republic of Iran Sport Federations Semiotics Perspective. Applied Research in Sport Management10(1), 45-56. doi: 10.30473/arsm.2021.7972  (IN Persian)

     

    1. Karimi Firozjaei, A., & Yarmand, H. (2018). The Use of Image in Sport Advertisement from View Point of Semiotics: Case Study on Wrestling Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran. Applied Research in Sport Management7(1), 89-103. (IN Persian)

     

    1. Kaur, H., & Kaur, K. (2019). Connecting the dots between brand logo and brand image. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration11(1), 68-87. (IN Persian)
    2. Kim, M. J., & Lim, J. H. (2019). A comprehensive review on logo literature: research topics, findings, and future directions. Journal of Marketing Management35(13-14), 1291-1365.

     

    1. Kohli, C., & Suri, R. (2002). Creating effective logos: Insights from theory and practice. Business Horizons45(3), 58-64.

     

    1. Kunkel, T., Funk, D. C., & Lock, D. (2017). The effect of league brand on the relationship between the team brand and behavioral intentions: A formative approach examining brand associations and brand relationships. Journal of Sport Management31(4), 317-332.

     

    1. Lari M. (2018). A Comparative Study on the Press Pictorial Logotypes and the Cultural Codes in Constitutional Poetry in Qajar Era . mth7(14), 71-82.

     

    1. Lee, J. W. (2017). Semiotics and sport communication research: Theoretical and methodological considerations. Communication & Sport5(3), 374-395.

     

    1. Luffarelli, J., Mukesh, M. and Mahmood, A. (2019), “Let the logo do the talking: the influence of logodescriptiveness on brand equity”, Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 56 No. 5, pp. 862-878
    2. MacInnis, D. J., Shapiro, S., & Mani, G. (1999). Enhancing brand awareness through brand symbols. ACR North American Advances.

     

    1. Mehta, K. (2024). Color Psychology in Branding: Analyzing the Influence of Color Choices on Logo Effectiveness.

    35.  Moradi Hadi, S., Sohraabi, M., & Taheri, H. R. (2015). The effect of background color on the acquisition and retention of dart throwing skills. (IN Persian)

    1. Najafian, M & Ketabi, S. (2011).Advertising social Semioticrepresentation: A critical approach.International journal of industrial marketing, 1 (1): 63-78. (IN Persian)
    2. Ott, B. L., & Mack, R. L. (2020). Critical media studies: An introduction. John Wiley & Sons.

     

    1. Park, C. W., Eisingerich, A. B., Pol, G., & Park, J. W. (2013). The role of brand logos in firm performance. Journal of Business Research66(2), 180-187.

     

    1. Parsa, A. F. (2004, March). Visual semiotics: How still images mean? Interpreting still images by using semiotic approaches. In 2nd International Symposium Communication in The Millennium: A Dialogue Between Turkish and American Scholars, In Co-operation with University of Texas, Anadolu University and İstanbul University (pp. 843-853).

     

    1. Peng, L., Wei, Y., Zhang, X., & Wang, D. (2024). Flatness promotes modernity: logo flatness and consumers' perception of brand image. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics36(2), 315-333.
    2. Pieters, R., Wedel, M., & Batra, R. (2010). The stopping power of advertising: Measures and effects of visual complexity. Journal of Marketing74(5), 48-60.
    3. Robertson, K. (1989). Strategically desirable brand name characteristics. Journal of consumer marketing6(4), 61-71.

    43.  Rose, J. (2017). Methodology and methodology of image analysis (Translated by Sayed Jamal al-Din Akbarzadeh Jahromi). Tehran: Research Institute of Culture, Art and Communications / Center for Research and Evaluation of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

    1. Ross, S. D., Bang, H., & Lee, S. (2007). Assessing brand associations for intercollegiate ice hockey. Sport Marketing Quarterly16(2), 106.

     

    1. Ross, S. D., James, J. D., & Vargas, P. (2006). Development of a scale to measure team brand associations in professional sport. Journal of sport management20(2), 260-279.

     

    1. Rubel, E. A. (1994). Trademarks and the press: A year in review. Editor & Publisher127(50), 6T-6T.

    47.  Saba, S. & Afshani, M. (2022). The study of the most important factors influencing logo design in modern businesses from a neuroscience perspective. In Proceedings of the 4th National Conference on Knowledge Management and E-Business with a Focus on Resistance Economy, Mashhad. (IN Persian)

    1. Salgado-Montejo, A., Velasco, C., Olier, J. S., Alvarado, J., & Spence, C. (2014). Love for logos: Evaluating the congruency between brand symbols and typefaces and their relation to emotional words. Journal of Brand Management21, 635-649.

    49.  Shams Laherudi, S. H., & Bahari, M. (2017). Investigating the impact of brand equity on competitive advantage: A case study of Bank Tejarat in Bushehr province. Scientific Journal of Research in Management and Social Studies, 9(2), 102-112. (IN Persian)

    50.  Shams Laherudi, S. H., & Kamali Nejad, M. (2018). Identifying effective factors in covert advertising on strategies for food service development. Journal of New Research Methods in Management and Accounting, 2(7), 53-65. (IN Persian)

    51.  Shiyari, H. R. (2014). Visual semantics, theories, and practices. Nashr Sokhan.

    1. Suriadi, J., Mardiyana, M., & Reza, B. (2022). The concept of color psychology and logos to strengthen brand personality of local products. Linguistics and Culture Review, 6(S1), 839-856. (IN Persian)
    2. Vorster, I. (2015). The influence of sonic logos in television advertisements: a neuromarketing perspective: scholar.sun.ac.za.
    3. Wang, Y. J., Hernandez, M. D., & Minor, M. S. (2015). Superstitious beliefs in consumer evaluation of brand logos. In Revolution in Marketing: Market Driving Changes: Proceedings of the 2006 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference (pp. 13-13). Springer International Publishing.

     

    1. Waytz, A., Morewedge, C. K., Epley, N., Monteleone, G., Gao, J. H., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Making sense by making sentient: effectance motivation increases anthropomorphism. Journal of personality and social psychology99(3), 410.
    2. Williams, A. S., Pedersen, P. M., & Walsh, P. (2012). Brand associations in the fitness segment of the sports industry in the United States: extending spectator sports branding conceptualisations and dimensions to participatory sports. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship14(1), 29-45.

     

    1. Williams, A. S., Walsh, P., & Rhenwrick, I. (2015). A conceptual framework for assessing brand equity in professional athletes. International Journal of Sport Management16, 77-97.

     

    1. Wilson, R. T. (2021). Slogans and logos as brand signals within investment promotion. Journal of Place Management and Development14(2), 163-179.
    2. Wong, J., Lalwani, A. K., & Wang, J. J. (2022). The interactive effect of power and self-construal on consumers’ preferences for brand-logo size. Journal of Business Research, 150, 279-296.
    3. Wu, Y. Q., & Cheong, C. Y. M. (2021). Corporate branding of academic institutions: semiotic communication of logos and names. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education34(1), 321–343.