Design Theory and Practice

description

Art 413: Design Theory & Practice is a reading intensive course with daily discourse on the topics of the week. Evaluation on verbal and electronic discussions will be given on a weekly basis.

objective
The majority of communication design courses focus on the aesthetics of final artifacts. This course will examine the strategies behind design and the numerous methodologies of design research. It will question what we do, how we do it, and why we do this thing called [insert adjective] design.

The instructor is merely a resource for topics, facilitator of discussions, and evaluator of projects. Each student is responsible for leading at least one class discussion. Emphasis will be on issues pertaining to research, intuition, diversity, culture, audience, social responsibility, and self-expression. Evaluation will be determined by the level of engagement and the effectiveness of the final projects as a response to the readings during the quarter. The ultimate goal of this discourse is to discover the student’s place within the design practice.

Be ready to think! Put down your pencil and mouse, and start reading. Open your brain. Dissect everything you know. Analyze each topic. Determine your conviction. Express your opinion.

supplies
Required texts: Design Studies: Theory and Research in Graphic Design; Audrey Bennett, editor. Additional readings will be distributed or posted on Blackboard throughout the quarter.
Optional texts: Looking Closer 4 and 5: Critical Writings on Graphic Design; Michael Bierut, William Drenttel and Steven Heller, editors; Seventy-nine Short Essays on Design; Michael Bierut; and Design Writing Research; Ellen Lupton and Abbott Miller
Required supplies: active brain and mouth, choice of caffeine/morning pick-me-up, pen, highlighter, notebook, MAC computer with internet capabilities, ability to disseminate information to eleven other individuals, all other necessary supplies to professionally execute and present major assignments

breakdown of points for the quarter
MAJOR PROJECTS (100 points each) 400

(1) Design for Action, (2) Designer as Author, (3) Observer Article, and (4) Topic Leader
Concept and Effectiveness = 50 points
Craftsmanship and Grammar = 25 points
Development and Critique = 25 points

Discussion Participation (10 points each) 100
Each week a grade will be given for participation for the group discourse during class periods and valid entries in our Blackboard forums.