Semiotics is the science that studies signs and sign processes. A sign represents an object and bears information about that object. Signs have certain properties, including representing something other than itself, bearing information, and being created and used by a community. There are three main types of semiotic signs: icons, which relate to the object through qualities; indices, which have a cause-and-effect relationship with the object; and symbols, which present an idea through association rather than resemblance to the object. A semiotic sign can have different meanings depending on its creator and how it is perceived by its audience.