Author: Prof. Matthew C. Lange (Page 5 of 7)

This week’s reading assignment includes two texts on form and perception in design. The written portion will be the first 2-3 page paper that you’ll complete during the semester.

The readings are as follows:

Beatrice Warde, The Crystal Goblet, or Why Printing Should be Invisible (1930): 

A selection from György Kepes’ Language of Vision: Painting, Photography, Advertising-Design (1944):

Requirements for the written assignment are as follows:

First Paper – Due March 6
Select a design or design object created after 1972 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. 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). 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 ultimately 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. 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’ll upload your paper as a PDF, attached to a new OpenLab Post. Categorize your post as Research Paper.

Remember, you can explore the following sites for inspiration…

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

Our next reading assignment includes 3 texts from architects, designers & artists affiliated with the Bauhaus. They are as follows:

Walter Gropius; The Theory and Organization of the Bauhaus (1923): 

László Moholy-Nagy; Typophoto (1925): 

Herbert Bayer; On Typography (1967): 

Some ideas and questions you might consider:
According to these  authors, what was lacking in art and education from the past? What role should typography and photography play in shaping a new art?  What role does language or communication play in art and design? How should artists approach the creation of future art forms?   What should education or “the academy” teach artists about their field? How might Bauhaus ideas be updated to remain relevant in the 21st century?

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Please also note that your first 2-3 page paper is due at the end of Week 5, on March 6. You’re encouraged to start thinking about this assignment. The question and requirements will be as follows:

First Paper – Due March 6
Select a design or design object created after 1972 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. 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). 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 ultimately 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. 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’ll upload your paper as a PDF, attached to a new OpenLab Post.

I will provide example topics in a video for Week 5. In the meantime, you can explore the following sites for inspiration…

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

Our third reading assignment includes three short manifestos written by avant-garde artists in the early decades of the 20th century. They are as follows:

Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, The Founding and Manifesto of Futurism (1909):

Aleksandr Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova, Aleksei Gan, Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group (c. 1922): 

El Lissitzky, Our Book (1926): 

Here are some questions to consider as you read:
What sort of possibilities did these authors envision for their immediate futures? What role did they imagine technology would play in shaping those futures? In what ways did these artists anticipate the art and design that would follow? What common views do these authors share? Where might they disagree? Which elements of these texts are relevant for the present? Which elements are problematic?