Introduction
Begin by identifying exactly what is being examined.
An artifact is any object, message, performance, image, practice, or designed environment that carries meaning. A speech, meme, film scene, logo, song, advertisement, monument, ritual, interface, or everyday object can all become artifacts for investigation.
The first task is description before interpretation. What is present? What form does it take? What materials, media, language, images, sounds, and design choices can be observed? Careful attention prevents analysis from jumping too quickly to assumptions.
For Symbol Wizards, the artifact is the doorway into the larger system of meaning. Once the object is clearly identified, viewers can investigate its context, audience, symbols, emotions, power, truth claims, and possible alternatives.