This course will offer (more or less) a survey representing a spectrum of design theory’s influential texts. These represent the evolving theoretical ideas produced through modernity in varying contexts that have motivated works of graphic design, typography, and book design. The readings beginning in the mid-nineteenth century at the height of the industrial revolution when graphic design as an autonomous field develops and continue into the early 21st century information age. Collectively these texts represent a leap-frogging between “tradition” and “modernity,” finally arriving at post-modernism and the debates and challenges to all previous models.
As a class we’ll consider these texts as representing the changing values of design in order to inspire and consider our own context in the shaping of our disciplines and as motivation for our work.
Learning Goals
· Learning to read and engage with theoretical writing and theoretical ideas
· Develop an understanding of theoretical writing
· Gain understanding of the theoretical concepts that have driven modern design
· Develop basic thinking skills to generate personal credos and theories
Designs on Policy Allison Arieff Blog - NYTimes.com
About U.S. Design Policy
Design it is a-changin’ : Design & Society From Emily Campell's Design & Society blog, part of the RSA, Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (very Ruskin!!)
Redesigning America's Future 10 design policy proposals for the united states of america’s economic competitiveness &
democratIc governance. The American Design Communities, JanUary 5, 2009
Talk to the Hand: Dan Saffer and gestural interfaces by Andy Polaine - Core77 "Most product design is done wrong...too many devices come onto the market where the interface and the physical product were clearly done by two separate groups that never talk to each other."
crowdSPRING "Global marketplace for logo design, business card design, graphic design and website design." Addressed to clients: "1. Post a creative project; 2. Watch the world contribute ideas; 3. Choose the one you like."
"The Creativity of Crowds" - Forbes.com Christopher Steiner, 01.22.09, 06:00 PM EST
Forbes Magazine dated February 16, 2009
"CrowdSpring aims to slash the cost of graphic design work--and democratize a snooty business."
Dunne & Raby They make critical design – it's function is to raise questions.
It's the end of graphic design as we know it eye opinion by Rick Poynor. A brilliant argument for graphic design/ visual communication via a review of the 'New Views 2' conference.
Kyoto Design Declaration Outlines a global design agreement supported by ICSID, BEDA, AIGA and EIDD. "By signing the Kyoto Design Declaration, the members of Cumulus committed to sharing global responsibility for building sustainable, human-centred and creative societies."
CULTURE IS CHANGING
Talking About My Generation From Entrepreneur magazine: "Gen Xers, Gen Yers, Millennials and Boomers are all working alongside each other. But how do you get them to work well together?"
Why Bother? By Michael Pollan From the "The Way we Live Now" column in the NY Times Sunday Magazine, Published: April 20, 2008
An astoundingly elegant description of impacts of global warming, culturally, socially, economically – the multitude of issues at stake and why its worth changing our lifestyles.
