description of course project options:

option 1:

There are three readings on reserve at the library:

a)Lutchmansingh, "Evolutionary Affinity in Arthur Mackmurdo's Botanical Design" (call no. K-1030)

b)Collins, "The Poster as Art: Jules Cheret" (call no. K-1031)

c)Shaw, "Tradition and Innovation the Design World of William Addison Dwiggins" (call no. K-1032)

Use the form provided in class (you may decide to modify it if you don't feel you have enough room). Complete an analysis of each of the three readings on a separate form (they are quite brief, you'll find). Each analysis is worth 20 points. (This part totals 60 possible points).

Then, using what you've learned from each reading, create a design for the product/company of your choice demonstrating the principles of design utilized by the artist you read about.

Each of these designs, accompanied with a brief (3-5 sentence) description of how the key design components (of Mackmurdo, Cheret and Dwiggins) have been utilized is worth 30 points. (This part totals 90 possible points).

If you do this project, I strongly recommend that you turn one in rather quickly, to make sure you're doing the work in enough detail before you proceed to the others. All three must be turned in by the final due date listed on the syllabus. I will allow you to modify the first one (IF you turn it in early enough!) to improve your grade.

Grad Students: If you choose this option, you should expand that 3-5 sentence description of how your designs reflect the key design components of Mackmurdo, Cheret and Dwiggins, respectively, into a more fully developed analysis (such as those we'll do in class). Your analysis should be at least 2 pages in length.

option 2:

Standard research paper, typed and double-spaced. Expected length for undergrads: 5-7 pages plus footnotes; for grads: 10-12 pages plus footnotes.

***I must approve the topic of your research paper.

***It would be a good idea if you visited me with both a thesis statement and a bibliography before you start writing.

***As always, I am happy to look at and even grade drafts to allow you to revise until you are satisfied with your grade.

option 3:

part one: (total 20 points) Design your own analysis strategy for application to the graphic designs of others (and to your own, for that matter!). The analysis strategy itself will be worth 20 points and should not be identical to what we use in class. It should consist of some sort of diagram and a short written rationale for the order of importance assigned to its component parts. (Where will your analysis begin? Why?)

***It is a very good idea to have me grade this part before you proceed to the next stage***

part two: (total 100 points) Apply your analysis strategy to 5 works. Ideally I would like you to use at least one of your own designs. Each written analysis will be worth 20 points and should be no less than 2 doublespaced typed pages (but keep in mind it will be completeness that dictates the length! if you choose a very complicated work to analyze it may not be possible to keep the length at two pages and do a good job).

part three: (total 30 points) Make an approximately 10-15 minute presentation of your analysis strategy to the class and explain/read your analysis of one or more of the works you looked at. Your presentation will be made on Wednesday, March 12th. You will need to let me know by February 26 if you have chosen this option and you must give me anything you want slides made of for your presentation by March 3rd (I will make the slides for you). If you want to use overheads, I can make those for you as well, but you should ask me to make them no later than March 10th.

***If you like the idea of this option, but you don't want to make the class presentation, you can do six analyses instead of five and I will grade your analysis strategy and explanation at 30 points instead of 20. (This means that your explanation of the strategy should be more detailed!)

***Grad students: each analysis should be no less than three pages and as usual I expect a higher degree of critical thinking and persuasive writing. Your presentation to the class (if you choose to make one) may be of the same length but will include the application of your analysis strategy to a work you have not seen before.

option 4:

Propose a project of your own design. Keep in mind the project total is worth 150 points, so be realistic. I must approve your project proposal before you begin work. (In the event you turn something in that you never discussed with me, you will be subjecting yourself to possible failure!) Your proposal may include a grading scale for individual components -- you can make a presentation as part of the grade, etc.