Overview

Select a design or design object created after 1971 in which the influence of the theories considered thus far can be seen.

      1. Begin with a brief description of the object, the designer who created it, and the historical circumstances under which it was made.
      2. Considering these factors, examine the ways in which the creator was responding, directly or indirectly, to theories related to linguistics or semiology, avant-garde art movements, or the psychological perception of forms (ie. any of the ideas that we’ve covered).
      3. Discuss the manner in which the design you’ve chosen embodies these theories. Provide direct references to relevant passages from our readings. Locate additional writings using library resources to substantiate your comparisons.

Your goal is to provide a critical examination, not an account of historical details.

This response will be submitted as a 750-1000 word typewritten paper, double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman, with a bibliography.

Include images of the work under consideration and any other relevant illustrations.

Cite all materials researched for historical context, any related writings, and image sources.

All sources, references, and quotations should be cited in MLA format. You must upload your paper as a PDF, attached to a new OpenLab Post.

Note: You do not need to address this week’s texts in the paper if they are not directly relevant to your topic, but you must be prepared to discuss them in class.

Due Date

The finished paper is due Monday, March 15 at 9 pm

 

Get started

    1. If you’d like some inspiration, try the following links:

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

2. Use the links in Course Resources

3. Use your Research Journal to define your ideas before you start writing.

Add an image and begin with a brief description of the work, the designer who created it, and the historical circumstances under which it was made.

Consider the ways in which the creator was responding, directly or indirectly, to theories related to semiotics & signs, ways of meaning, models of communication, the avant-garde art movements of the Futurists, Constructivists, and/or the Bauhaus.

Start collecting resources to support your ideas.

Example

Suppose you found this poster on the Cooper Hewitt Design Collection: “THE BEST OF JAZZ” for the New York Public Theatre, 1980, created by designer Paula Scher.

This poster shares some graphic elements from the early avant-garde designers we’ve looked at. The use of primary colors, bold geometry, san serif fonts, lack of ornament, etc reminds us of the Russian Constructivists and the Bauhaus. You might then dig deeper into the influences of the designer herself, the time period in which this work was made, and the client. You might then look for primary sources where the designer talks about her influences?

You would also refer back to our readings by Constructivist designers and find relevant passages, comparing the principles and ideas presented by the avant-garde designers with your example design. Next, you would find additional resources via the City Tech Library, the COMD Theory OER Bibliography, and other scholarly sources to support the connections you’ve made.

Remember you will be providing a critical examination of the image/object and its relationship to the theories we’ve discussed, not an account of historical details. These should be YOUR observations and YOUR ideas supported by published sources.

Formatting

Your paper will be submitted as a 750-1000 word typewritten paper, double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman.

      • Use Google Docs to write and organize your final draft.
      • Use the MLA style to format your paper. See MLA example paper here.
      • Cite all materials researched for historical context, any related writings, and image sources.
      • Include images of the work you are referencing and any other relevant illustrations.
      • Use the Google Docs Citation tool set to MLA to add citations to your paper as you write.
      • When you are done, add a Works Cited page at the end of your document. This can be done with one click using the Insert Work Cited button.
      • Use Pro Writing Aid or  Grammarly or similar to review your paper for grammatical and spelling errors before submitting.

Submitting Your Paper

    1. Create an OpenLab Post. 
      • TITLE: Research Paper 1 – Your Initials
      • CATEGORY: Research Papers
      • TAG: Research Paper 1
      • TAG: Your Name
    2. Add the title of your paper as a heading.
    3. Write a brief introduction to your paper.
    4. Use text to indicate the link to your paper (ie: Research paper),
      select this text, and make it a link to your Google doc.
      (Do not paste the entire Google Doc link in the post)
    5. Make sure the Google Doc link is set to
      “Anyone with the link” and
      Commenter is selected.
      This will allow others to comment on your paper.

 

example of your post:

Research Paper Title (Heading H2)

Your Name

Brief introduction. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum ac diam sit amet quam vehicula elementum sed sit amet dui. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Sed porttitor lectus nibh. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Sed porttitor lectus nibh.

 

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