Overview
Our first reading assignment consists of an introduction to the primary text we will use in this course, Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field compiled and edited by Helen Armstrong. This introduction briefly mentions many of the designers, movements, and texts included in the collection while also describing the author’s own interest in the theoretical aspects of the design process.
Key Themes and Takeaways
Revisiting the Avant-Garde: Armstrong believes that the ambitions of avant-garde artists from the early 20th century should be questioned but should inspire designers of today
Collective Authorship is a constantly evolving aspect of design, in which the producer-consumer relationship plays a key role
Universal Systems of Connection have been envisioned as a means of uniting people through design, but remain restrictive in many ways
Social Responsibility must be a part of the design process, as designers play a key role in shaping society
We should ask what role the avant-garde of the new millennium will play
Preparation
NOTE: Prior to starting this assignment, complete the Week 1 Agenda tasks: setting up Hypothesis, create your Research Journal, and creating an OpenLab Post.
Process:
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- Read and annotate the text in our Hypothesis group.
- After reading and annotating the text, create a rough draft of your response in your Research Journal. Your response should be about 200 words and checked for spelling and grammar errors.
- Lastly, create a new post and publish your response.
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1. Open the reading.
In a new tab open the text Armstrong, Helen. Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2009. Navigate to pages 9-15 to read “Introduction: Revisiting the Avant-Garde.”
2. Enable Hypothesis.
The reading link above will automatically open Hypothesis. Login to your account and select our COMD3504_s22 group (IMPORTANT!) from the dropdown to make sure your annotations and highlights will be recorded in the group. See Using Hypothesis for details.
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Week 1 assignment
1. Readings
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- “Introduction: Revisiting the Avant-Garde” from DesignOpenData
- Armstrong, Helen. Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central. Pages 9-15 [CUNYFirst / City Tech Library ID required]
2. Consider these questions.
Here are the questions to which you should respond in your reading response:
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- According to this author, what role should design play in society?
- What distinguishes the field, or fields, of design from other creative occupations?
- Why should designers concern themselves with unsolvable theoretical questions?
- What role does technology play in shaping design?
- What are the most urgent problems facing designers today?
- How, and why, is a designer responsible for solving these problems?
3. Read & Annotate.
Consider the questions/prompts listed above. Start to formulate the answers to these questions while you practice close reading with annotations. This will be part of your grade. Share at least 3 annotations in the Hypothesis group, including your questions, definitions, and ideas with your classmates. Add the tags: Revisiting the Avant-Garde and Reading Response 1 to your annotations.
4. Draft your Reading Response.
In your Research Journal, write a draft of your 200-word response. Check for grammar and spelling errors. Use the word count tool.
5. Post your Reading Response.
When ready, create a new post in this OpenLab Course. At the top of the post copy and paste the following: Armstrong, Helen. “Introduction: Revisiting the Avant-Garde” Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2009. Pages 9-15.
Copy and paste the questions/prompts listed above. Paste your reading response from your Research Journal. Adjust any formatting issues that may have occurred while pasting.
Please be sure to add the following title, category, and tags to your posts. For help with adding Categories and Tags, see OpenLab Help.
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- TITLE: Reading Response 1 – Your Initials
- CATEGORY: Reading Responses
- TAG: Reading Response #1
- TAG: Your Name
Here is an example Reading Response post for reference:
Due Date(s)
- Your reading response is due the day before the next session.
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Please post your responses by February 7 before 6 pm to allow time for review.
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And please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or issues. Email: pchilders@citytech.cuny.edu
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Week 2 assignment
1. Readings
Beatrice Warde, The Crystal Goblet, or Why Printing Should be Invisible (1930): Warde_CrystalGobletDownload
A selection from György Kepes’ Language of Vision: Painting, Photography, Advertising-Design (1944): Kepes_Language_of_Vision_excDownload
2. Consider these questions.
Respond in your reading response. Your answer is the start of your first paper:
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- Select a design or design object created after 1971 in which the influence of the theories considered thus far can be seen.
- Begin with a brief description of the object, the designer who created it, and the historical circumstances under which it was made.
- Your goal is to provide a critical examination, not an account of historical details.
If you’d like some inspiration, try the following links:
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- Cooper Hewitt Design’s Museum’s Blog …you can also just browse their collection.
- AIGA Eye on Design
- Filter by Graphic Design or Design in MoMA Collection
- or browse the MoMA Design Store
- Exhibitions and the Collection at Museum of Art and Design
- Designboom for a wide variety of design
- Design Observer also features conversations and articles
- or Print Magazine
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3. Read & Annotate.
Consider the questions/prompts listed above. Start to formulate the answers to these questions while you practice close reading with annotations. This will be part of your grade. Share at least 3 annotations in the Hypothesis group, including your questions, definitions, and ideas with your classmates.
Add the tags: Crystal Goblet or Language of Vision and Reading Response 2 to your annotations.
4. Draft your Reading Response.
In your Research Journal, write a draft of your 200-word response. Check for grammar and spelling errors. Use the word count tool.
5. Post your Reading Response.
When ready, create a new post in this OpenLab Course. At the top of the post copy and paste the following:
Warde, Beatrice. The Crystal Goblet, or Why Printing Should Be Invisible Princeton Architectural Press, 2009. Pages 39-43., Kepes, György. Language of Vision: Painting, Photography, Advertising-Design, Paul Theobald, 1949. Pages 200-221
Copy and paste the questions/prompts listed above.
Paste your reading response from your Research Journal. Adjust any formatting issues that may have occurred while pasting.
Please be sure to add the following title, category, and tags to your posts. For help with adding Categories and Tags, see OpenLab Help.
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- TITLE: Reading Response 1 – Your Initials
- CATEGORY: Reading Responses
- TAG: Reading Response #1
- TAG: Your Name
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Here is an example Reading Response post for reference:
Due Date(s)
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- Your reading response is due the day before the next session.
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Please post your responses by February 14 before 6 pm to allow time for review.
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And please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or issues. Email: pchilders@citytech.cuny.edu
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Resources
More info
- Tutorials > Using Hypothesis
- Class Hypothesis Group: COMD 3504 s22
- Assignments > Research Journal
- Tutorials > Posting & Commenting
- Example Post > Reading Response (Example)
Texts
- “Introduction: Revisiting the Avant-Garde” from DesignOpenData
- Library Text: Armstrong, Helen. Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central. Pages 9-15 [CUNYFirst / City Tech Library ID required]
- Beatrice Warde, The Crystal Goblet, or Why Printing Should be Invisible (1930): Warde_CrystalGobletDownload
- A selection from György Kepes’ Language of Vision: Painting, Photography, Advertising-Design (1944): Kepes_Language_of_Vision_excDownload
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