gd4-2018

[gd4-2018]

Degree Project Writing

 Hi everyone! Lisa has some excellent guidelines for her seniors that may help you as you form the written component of your degree project proposal. I’ve combined them with some other guiding principles that have come up as I’ve discussed thoughts with you all, and the presentation that Joe gave in class. I highly recommend revisiting the examples he sent in his Nov. 06 email to better understand the form your proposals will take, and reread sample proposals with this lens.  

Researchable Question: 

A very open question giving you room to explore a topic; NOT deliverable directed (”I want to make a book about...”), but an area that you wish to research to see where that research will lead you (”How can new media technologies help connect people to physical spaces?”)

Abstract: 2-4 paragraphs (150–500 words, total)

— a brief overview establishing the background and context in which your project will exist

— a description of your specific topic and why you’re interested in it 

— goals you hope to achieve, including potential forms the project *might* take. These are likely to change (as discussed in the researchable question).

Bibliography & Resources: 10 entries minimum

Look for books, websites, films, journal and magazine articles and podcasts that relate to your topic. List practitioners in the field who are writing about this topic, and think of individuals to whom you might want to reach out (interviews are excellent process pieces!). Talk to professors with knowledge of the subject area, and speak to the librarians for help with research. The bibliography must be formatted correctly using either MLA or Chicago style. 

Visual Research

Gather and organize visual materials related to your topic. This can be your own work or process, or that of others. 

[gd4-2018]

Dieline Links from Cory

https://www.diecuttemplates.com/ https://www.templatemaker.nl  (The one David mentioned) https://issuu.com/designpackaging/docs/packaging-dielines-free-book-design (great volume of 2 books from Dieline.com) https://issuu.com/designpackaging/docs/packaging-dielines-free-book-design_7fb37ab8a1c323

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Good lecture at RISD this Wednesday evening. I’m sure you’ll be working on your album, but if you can swing it, I will happily give two points of extra credit if you attend and submit a write-up of your thoughts. See the moving poster here. 

[gd4-2018]

For your listening pleasure

a few music-related podcast episodes to work to:

https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/devolutionary-design/

https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/91512-musical-language

https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/rippin-the-rainbow-an-even-newer-one

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/06/641599819/keepers-of-the-underground-the-hiphop-archive-at-harvard

https://www.gimletmedia.com/reply-all/39-reply-all-exploder

[gd4-2018]

My mind is officially blown. 

[gd4-2018]

Irma Boom is coming to Harvard on Thursday! She’s a god of book design, and one of my personal design heroes. I will happily give extra credit to anyone who attends the lecture and gives me a written synopsis of their impressions of the talk and her work. Here are the details. 

[gd4-2018]

Marlene Cole & David Gorelik’s Boxed Sets

https://www.behance.net/gallery/65062463/Nothing-But-Thieves https://davidgorelik.com/bastillebox/

[gd4-2018]

Writing and Editing Resources

common grammar mistakes

The Dartmouth Institue for Writing and Rhetoric

guidelines for peer review of academic writing (but helpful in any writing!)

tips for improving writing style

[gd4-2018]

Interesting read about Design Activism and Social Change at a 2011 Conference in Barcelona. 

[gd4-2018]

New Office

I’m am now officially in 905, next to the letterpress studio.

My office hours are 2–4, Tuesday and Thursday, but I’ll probably be there on Mondays and Wednesday afternoons, too. Feel free to stop by, or send me an email if you want to set up an appointment.

​#tags

[gd4-2018]

Design Intervention as a Public Health Campaign. An interesting example of empowerment and tone for a specific audience. 

[gd4-2018]

One of many versions of calorie counters designed to encourage stair use. 

[gd4-2018]

I saw a set of these stickers the other day, and thought it was a smart use of language and context. The tone is pretty spot on, too.

[gd4-2018]

Not required, but very, very interesting listening about cultural context and the decoding of signs.