expectations for final crit

NOTE: We will crit the presentation, final postcards and model on MONDAY, but you will turn-in all project components (plus process doc. pages) on FRIDAY.

Present with your partner
• Both postcard series (similar to the 1-sentence overview provided to Kathy)
• you will be evaluated for the clarity and pertinency of your team presentation

• Annotated models
if digital and needs projection drop on CAS before start of class and email me so I know to download to my computer

• Questions to frame presentation:
• How did you achieved project objectives (review prj. descriptions to assist)
• What did you learn about the communication process?
• What is your dialetic?

• 15 minutes total presentation (leave approx. 5 minutes for crit feedback).

Turn in physical artifact for evaluation:
• Printed postcards
• Printed annotated model (or if digital, post the link to blogs)
• Process document pages (PRINTED as final document)

Post to blogs for evaluation:
• Any additional process work & final presentation statement.

Late = absent = late grade reduction.

prj cm: annotated communication model

To conclude this project, you are to produce a clear & detailed infographic that visualizes your understanding of communication model theories, and illustrates your specific project dialog. Postcards = means. Annotated model = end.

Design a diagram that maps all parts of the Berlo or Emmert communication model. Can be print or simple motion. Non/Linear.

for progress crit next class (and see below):
(1) Several "proposed" visual explorations/directions of the "base model". Select the best 3-5 for discussion and post the remainder on your blogs.

Produce a broad range of iterations and push each design to be completely different from the others. Big moves. This is your visual p.o.v., not a simple recreation of the provided examples. All content must be represented, and go into further detail than the provided examples.

***

For each postcard phase, annotate the model with supporting visuals (e.g. progress/final postcards) and written remarks (e.g. edited/selected from your blog posts). Relate the reading's explanation of the models to your own project. Relate the postcard objectives (my posts) & your results to the model.

Note: The conversation visualized is the 3 postcards surrounding your original object.

start for progress crit next class and conclude for crit next week:
(2) Several "proposed" directions for annotating it visually & verbally. How are the annotations revealed? How is the base model differentiated from your commentary? What form does this take (print, 3d, screen, interactive, narrative)? Be creative! Be thorough! Educate and engage the viewer.

Select the best 3-5 for discussion and post remainder on your blogs.

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.

Prj CM.2: Output postcard

In classical philosophy, dialectic is controversy: the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments... The outcome of the exercise might not simply be the refutation of one of the relevant points of view, but a synthesis or combination of the opposing assertions... [In a dialectical dialogue] the participants share at least some meanings and principles of valid inference, even if they do not agree. source

This project models a conversation between two communicators. The statement started by one will be expanded by the other. More specifically, the assets generated by one will be used/incorporated in the other's visual response.

First, provide each other with the high res file (and in later phases, the raw layered file) of your postcard.

Now you are the sender. Advocate or subvert the original statement. Strengthen it with your own visual p.o.v. and supporting evidence by placing the object in context to other related components.

When the object (or "component") functions along side (or interrelates with) other components it produces something (i.e. it makes a "product"). You are to visualize the output of the object.

For example, the nail "component" plus other like components (hammer, wood) produces the birdhouse "product". Thus, I counter the original argument with a positive rebuttal stating that building birdhouses is a fond childhood memory.

Answer the following questions: What physical thing, condition or event could this object help produce? How could that engage in a dialectic based on the first postcard?

Parameters:
You are to add to and embellish the original work (with additional imagery, objects, mark making, etc, but no text). You must incorporate the original photo.

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 2: output").

prj cm: feedback

Every message that has an intended receiver is interpreted, and to what effect? Provide your assigned partner the following feedback:

receiver:
interpret your partner's message and provide them with feedback. Write a clear and articulate response and post in the comments section of your partner's blog post, using the following questions as a guide:

• Is the object rendered in a positive or negative tone? Describe more specifically (e.g. comedic vs playful)

• How did the aesthetic choices (such as cropping, lighting, orientation, color, media, level of abstraction, style, etc) guide your understanding?

•Based on the reading, what categories of transmission were used to send this message?

•Also based on the reading, (how) did noise affect your interpretation of the image?

example post

sender:
after your partner (the receiver) has commented, reflect and respond. Was their interpretation in/correct? Clarify your intentions.

Blog Requirements:
The dialogue that starts w/the sender resides on sender's blog for entire project. Each post contains the sender's postcard (as a post), the receivers interpretation/reflection (as a comment or post) and the sender's intent/reflection (as a comment). Complete online feedback during class.

Partners:
bryan/vahn/sam
kristy/tim
emily/rebecca
angie/grant
adam/chris

prj cm: reading 1

Read "This means This..." pages 19-32 and post your reflection to the comments of this post. Find the photocopied reading on Tyler's reserve shelf in the library.

Prj CM.1: Object postcard

You are to communicate your object (from the semiotics project) in a positive or negative tone.

For example, if my object is a "nail", I could position it as a dangerous predator.

Explore framing, lighting, focus, any image making/rendering styles (e.g. photo, illustration, collage, scratchboard, etc) to communicate your p.o.v. and editorialize the image.

Here are some examples. Post and describe examples you find elsewhere to your own blogs.

Parameters:
Create an image that is communicative, resonating and creative within the set of given parameters. It must be rendered as a single object only and can not incorporate text, symbols or additional objects. For print (5x7 inches, 300 dpi, CMYK) AND for screen (550x393 pixels, 72 dpi, RGB).

Deliverables for next class:
Produce a wide range of explorations & iterations. Post all as linear process and a selection of cards to print.

After class crit you will print one card and post the final digital card (no explanation) to your blog (post title "postcard 1: object").

Prj Communication Models: overview

What we say and what is heard depends on a range of factors (from technology obstructions to cultural encoding). As designers we must develop a high sensitivity to the messages we create and the way in which these messages are received by the intended audience, so we can adapt the conversation accordingly.

This project will explore theories about how the communications process works as well as apply and test out that process through peer-to-peer "visual conversations". You'll design three rounds of messages that will be sent, received, interpreted, and responded-to for feedback.

Over the course of this project each student will produce:

1. three postcards
2. thorough & constructive written feedback on your blogs
3. a clear & detailed infographic that visualizes your understanding of the communication model/theory and elucidates the project's phases
4. process documentation

Objectives:

1. visually craft messages and responses (as practical application of communication theory)
2. conduct real-time dialogue about your intentions and interpretations
3. visualize your understanding of and document your experience of communication models/theories
4. professionally documented project stages, improved layout, writing and treatment of content

Each project phase increases in complexity. You will start with limited channels and a singular message that will subsequently build into a more layered conversation.



what's due:
day 2: postcard 1 iterations, inclass feedback, process document
day 3: postcard 2 iterations, inclass feedback
day 4: postcard 3 iterations, inclass feedback
day 5-6: annotated communication model (iterations)
day 7: final crit, process document