Semiotic Sculpting: Modeling and Meaning-Making with Second-Order Semiology

This paper introduces a Semiotic Sculpting Model as a structured approach to digital sculpture creation based on Roland Barthes's Second-Order Semiological System. In response to the prevalent focus on technical accuracy in current 3D sculpting practices, the proposed model emphasizes the integration of meaning into visual form. It divides the creative process into two stages: visual reconstruction and meaning-making. Through two practice-based case studies, i.e., a mythical beast embodying intrinsic traits called Kaiming Beast and a culturally coded Chinese Dragon Character, this paper demonstrates how symbolic elements can be methodically embedded into sculptural forms. The results indicate that the proposed model and approach enhance the construction of layered symbolic meanings within digital sculpture, offering a practical pathway for integrating semiotic thinking into 3D creative workflows.