Prj CM.3: Context postcard

When the output (or "products") function along side (or interrelates with) other products it forms a system. Now, as the sender (again), you are to visualize the system.

Research:
Add additional knowledge to the dialog (and find supporting evidence for your argument) by conducting outside research. This doesn't have to be in-depth research, but just enough to narrow the scope and frame the dialetic by placing the PRODUCT in one of the following contextual systems: social/cultural, historical, technical, or environmental.

For example, I found out there are both pros and cons to birdhouses & bird feeders. With either argument I can place this "product" in a greater economical or ecological system.

Post a summation of this research (and sources) to your blogs.

Answering the following questions will help define your conversation:
• What is the impact/relationship to other products?
• What is ONE argument (from a social, historical, technical or environmental point of view) that can be made about the object?
• What are the ramifications or benefits of this system?
• How could that engage in a dialectic based on the second postcard?

Parameters:
Add imagery AND text. Embellish and incorporate your partners imagery so that it is apparent that this an ongoing conversation and that the 3 postcards function as a cohesive series.

Deliverables due next class:
Produce a wide range of explorations & iterations. Post all to process blog. Select & print those with the most potential as "proposed" directions (that's plural).

After class crit you will refine if necessary, print one card and post the final digital card (no explanation) to your blog (post title "postcard 3: context").

Reading 2: again

Re-read last classes reading in order to help inform your blog commentary. Be specific and address components of the model in your feedback.

project steps

due 9/26:
5 audience research responses with visual examples. From here brainstorm rhetorical trope and sign pairings.

due 9/29:
mind map and matrix (40+ thumbs). From here select 3-4 viable concepts (each a different trope) for further formal exploration

due 10/3:
15+ clear pencil sketches proposing possible visual translations for the selected concepts. Sketches should be appox. 1/4 size. Plus, include copy writing. From here you will select 3-4 possible directions for further development.

due 10/6:
propose & produce 6 form-making approaches (a.k.a. "tests") for the above selected directions. Must be off-computer image production methods. From here you will determine 2+ directions with the most potential for execution.

rhetoric definitions & McCoy reading

1.
Review this second source on rhetoric. The examples and captions are the most helpful to recognize the various visual/verbal relationships that are possible. There are more terms here than our "ten" and some are named differently, which goes to show that our examples are not the limits of rhetoric.

Rhetoric, Bonsepie (PDF)

2.
Read Good Citizenship, Kathy McCoy, pgs 1-2 of the PDF (same as pgs 2-4 from the book Citizen Designer, on Tyler's reserve shelf in the library.)

Reflect upon your own role in civic engagement in relation to: this project; the specific skill-set of the profession; AIGA's competition goal to "demonstrate the power of design in the public arena"; and/or any greater goals you have as a designer. Post your responses to the comments.

Find+share: Examples of voting campaigns

Here's a cursory look at historic and contemporary vote posters in the US and abroad.

Nichelle Narcisi's concepte "Except You" was the winner at last year's Command X competition (at AIGA's Next Conference in Denver). Aimed at getting the 18-24-year-old vote out in 2008 her concept

"was an absolute triumph--literally bringing much of the audience (and two judges) to tears. She got a standing-O after she presented it, and another after being crowned the winner." (via Core 77)

Find your own example online and share the link with the class. Post during this project. Set up your post with a brief descriptor and use the following HTML tag:

<a href="URL of the Web page to go to">text that will be the link</a>