Author: Prof. Matthew C. Lange (Page 6 of 7)

This week’s asynchronous discussion will focus on the use of language in very recent advertising. Your objective will be to choose one Super Bowl ad, and comment on the role that language plays in the ad.

You can find every ad that aired during the Super Bowl via this LINK.

Pick an ad that interests you, then create a new Post telling us which one you chose and why you chose it. Write a few sentences describing how language or the use of signs are used to sell a product, tell a story, or create an unexpected situation. Embed a link to the video in your post. Remember to categorize your post as a Discussion.

Comment on at least 3 of your peers posts.

Note that this does not need to be a thorough analysis; just a few brief observations. (I talked for way too long in the video, so the rest of the discussion can be a little shorter.)

My apologies for the very long video this week. I got a little carried away trying to cover so much content. This will most certainly be the longest video for the whole semester.

You’re not required to comment on this post, but please do so if you have any questions.

The premise for this discussion was outlined at the end of my Presentation. You should only attempt to respond after you have viewed that presentation.

The really central question that we would like to answer is a deceptively simple one: What is Design?

Many of us have ideas of a few things that are included in the world of design. And we probably have some thoughts on what makes design different from other fields. But offering a very concise definition of Design in general might be surprisingly tough.

Here are a few additional questions that might complicate your ideas or answers:
What distinguishes the field of design from fine art? Or engineering? Or programming?
Which other fields of industry should or should not intersect with design?
How is design related to language? What separates design from language? And what connects them?
What are the social responsibilities of a designer?
Why is design important to culture or society?
What constitutes good design?
What constitutes bad design?
What, exactly, is design?

The goal of this exercise is not to answer these questions one-by-one. And it is most definitely not to ask Google, Wikipedia, or anyone on the internet for an answer. The goal is to develop a working definition for yourself and your peers, that can be put to use in your own work.

You can respond with a written post, an image, sketches that you photograph and upload, or a video of you talking through it.

You must also comment on at least 3 of your peers’ posts.

Please remember to categorize your post as a Discussion.

Here is an overview of how we will be utilizing OpenLab this semester. Please watch this even if you are familiar with OpenLab Course sites. There are some particular details regarding the organization of our site and the Categories to use for posts.