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The characteristics contain the sub – sets [[ attributes – properties ]– qualities ]. The attributes and the properties are recognized by mere agreement, as objective characteristics existent in the real world. The qualities instead are assigned to the object by the subject who observes57, they are which permit the creation of sense. The properties constitute the syntagms, which acquire sense in the context, – the contents of the text – such context is provided by the groups of significance in which the object is observed.
The properties correspond to a series of characteristic that – although have also been assigned in an arbitrary manner – have been constituted in commonly accepted patterns. The properties, or which is proper of the observed object are a product object’ s materiality, of the corporification process to which have been submitted during the design process.
The attributes are that what is attributed to the object, which is said is capable of doing. The uses or functions which are recognized in the object. The function, the teleological contents of the object always underlay, it is given for granted, otherwise, the object can only acquire the sense of useless. The function is not willful. The function is imposed by the structure; it is fixed and determined by the designer.
Another category corresponds to those subjective characteristics, meaning to say, which depend on the opinion of the subject who observes them. For them there are not precise agreements defined, and only is possible to mention them by meaning of qualifying adjectives with no specific value. They are merely qualifying characteristics. Examples of them are pretty, ugly, red and generally, the values assigned to them are very, little, much, etc. Those characteristics are qualities.
56 Barthes, Roland. Semantics of the Object. The Semiologic Adventure 57 Rodriguez, Alberto. Properties. Ref