DESIGN III
This course is the culmination of the Design sequence in the VA&T program, and as such it is mostly about long-form, self- directed design research. The goal is for you to continue to hone your voice and interests as a designer, to take on a large project requiring considerable creative investigation, and to make work that aligns with your goals as a professional.
Rather than be about technical tutorials and short-term projects, after the first few weeks (where we will loosely follow the Design 2 class with ramp-up projects), you will pitch a large- scale, multi-part design project to undertake for the rest of the semester.
Our theme for this semester’s project will be The Future. You’re welcome to approach it in any way you see fit, whether from the exploring the future of books and reading or our worries about machine learning and AI or promoting a new kind of basketball shoe or chronicling technological utopias or what the MTA might look like in 5 years... it’s wide open. The goal will be to visually articulate a view of the future.
I don’t want you to come up with a specific project yet, but it would be good to starting thinking about a direction you’d like to investigate and to work on researching this theme, since we’ll jump right in at week four. We’ll do group readings, interviews, and other wide-ranging research, and develop a project brief out of that work. We will have weekly (or so) individual chats and periodic group critiques of work in progress. The course will culminate in a cohesive exhibition and presentation of your project, including detailed documentation of your process.
CONTENTS
This repository contains all the materials for this class, except grades, which can be found on Canvas.
- Assignments: where all assignments will be posted, including deadlines and requirements.
- Images: a folder of images related to our projects. Not all are included in the Assignments, so feel free to browse.
- Readings: where required and optional readings will be shared.
- README.md: this file!
COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK 1
Introductions and syllabus
Demo
Navigating Github, using the scanner
Homework
Photocopier Collage; bring in brushes, ink, and other materials for mark-making. Note for this week's assignment, see the Design 2 page.
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WEEK 2
DUE: Photocopier Collage
In class
Add type to Photocopier Collage, print final results, install exhibition of collage projects; mark- and letterform-making with various materials
Homework
Create three vector letterforms inspired by your mark-making experiments. Note for this week's assignment, see the Design 2 page.
Please also bring a PDF (preferred) or photocopy of a reading for the group.
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WEEK 3
DUE: Finished typeface design
Demo
Using the CNC mill and etching press
In class
Etch/print your typeface, scan, pick a complementary font
Homework
Type Specimen Poster
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WEEK 4
Jeff out of town – NO CLASS
DUE: Readings due to me as PDF, though.
Reading
Group readings for discussion
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WEEK 5
DUE: Type Specimen Poster, Readings
In class
Reading discussion, ideation session on major project theme
Homework
Initial project findings: gather materials, images, textures, and inspiration surrounding your project's area of focus. Please bring at least 50 things; no fewer than 10 should be physical objects, but more would be very much encouraged. Everything should be printed – videos and interactive media should be shown as an indicative screenshot (or multiple screenshots on one page). You can combine multiple things (images, screenshots, scans, etc) onto one page, but think about the layout as a design decision too.
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WEEK 6
DUE: Initial project findings
In class
One-on-one or small group research crits
Reading
Design and Crime (Foster) and 10 Principles (Rams)
Homework
Narrow your area of investigation and continue researching more deeply
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WEEK 7
Discussion
Foster/Rams readings and the role of decoration
Demo
Keeping a process book
Homework
Wrap up project research into cohesive presentation with pitch for a design question to address; start work on early iterations for in-progress critique
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WEEK 8
DUE: Presentation of project research and design question
In class
Work day
Homework
Continue to work on early iterations for in-progress critique – this should be formally presented to the class (ie everything printed, formatted nicely) pretending we are a client. We should be able to see your progress, not just hear about it. Think about what first steps are most important for your project, and don't feel too bogged down yet in final ideas – things should continue to flow and iterate through the semester. Feel free to include some images/objects from your research phase as well.
In addition, don't forget to keep documentation of this process! Take screenshots as you go, take photos of physical mockups. We'll be assembling all of this into a process book later in the semester.
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MAR 13–17
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS Continue working, though 😊
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WEEK 9
DUE: First work-in-progress critique with class
In class
Work day
Homework
Continue working on project
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WEEK 10
In class
Work day
Homework
Prepare work for second in-progress critique
Reading
Excerpt from Design of Everyday Things (Norman), Interaction Design is Dead. Now What? (Ammer)
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WEEK 11
DUE: Second work-in-progress critique
Discussion
Print vs screen paradigms
In-class
Work day
Homework
Continue working on project
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WEEK 12
In class
Work day
Homework
Prepare work for third in-progress critique
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WEEK 13
DUE: Third work-in-progress critique
In class
Work day
Homework
Continue working on project
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WEEK 14
Demo
Documenting design projects
In class
Come up with comprehensive plan for documenting your project
Homework
Continue working on project
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WEEK 15
Work week
Homework
Finish project deliverables; print and bind process book
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EXAM PERIOD
Friday, May 12 from 9–1
DUE: Final deliverables, process book, and documentation
Critique of final projects
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Towards the end of the semester we’ll be working more digitally, but at the start you should bring these supplies every week. Purchase locally, or see this list. Required and suggested readings will be provided as PDFs online – there is no required textbook.
- Laptop with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
Demos will be with Creative Cloud 2017. All students will have access to the full Creative Cloud suite free of charge through stevens.edu/vle, though using the Lab computers may be more reliable. If you use your laptop, please don’t forget your charger! - Sketchbook
At least 5x9” – spiral-bound is best so you can tear out or scan drawings more easily. Please work one-sided only for the same reason. - Various drawing/writing implements
At least some pencils and pens of various kinds (I really like the Micron Pigma pens for drawing and layout ideation). - Digital camera
For gathering visual material (phone is ok). - Jar of India ink
Black, 1–2oz size (Higgins or Speedball brand is very good). - At least two medium-sized brushes of different sizes
Cheap ones are ok, synthetic bristles will probably be better for ink. - Bone folder
For folding paper; Teflon ones are fine, if you prefer. - Metal ruler
At least 12-inches long (15-inches is better), with or without cork backing. - Bookbinder’s awl
For making holes in paper; a regular carpenters awl may work, but one made for bookbinding will be better. - Larger knife with replacement blades
Olfa-brand knives are excellent, but a utility knife will work too. Optionally, you may also want an X-Acto knife with replacement blades. - Self-healing cutting mat
At least 9x12” (we have larger ones, but you should also have your own). - Bookbinding needle
(The eyes on regular sewing needles are far too small.) - Linen thread
Doesn’t stretch like normal sewing thread, making for tighter stitches. - Various papers and supplies as needed
For physical-focused projects and documentation of process. - Digital printing
At least two projects this semester, printed in the Fab Lab (better option) or locally. - Print-on-demand book
Cost will vary depending on size, but plan for $15–30 (we’ll be using Blurb since they provide an easy-to-use InDesign plugin).