Project 01, Form + Meaning
Project Overview
As makers of visual experiences that convey ideas, how do we decide what to make, and what ideas to express? How do we translate those ideas visually so that they become understandable to others? And how do we do that in a way that is dynamic and compelling? Students will uncover narrative ideas embedded within an object. By developing images of that object (and of related objects, images and signs), they will come to understand the fundamentals of visual communication: form, arrangement, and materiality. Students will use this understanding to convey thematic ideas in a visual narrative composition.
Learning Objectives
- Become familiar with the basic visual characteristics of form: dot, line, plane, texture, pattern, contrast, spatial arrangement, ordering/hierarchy, materiality, and color
- Understand how meaning is created and transmitted through these visual means
- Discover and invent meaningful ideas to communicate from within a neutral subject matter
- Relevantly conceptualize ideas based on analysis
- Understand the potential of different visual/formal strategies for conveying ideas, and be able to choose those that are most effective in a given context Internalize a methodical, iterative process for ideating, testing, refining and prototyping
- Become familiar with terms and vocabulary related to visual communication, and to describe, present, and defend their visual work in verbal discussion and in writing
- Develop facility with engaging in mutually constructive critique of visual works
- Become familiar with a variety of physical and digital image-making techniques
Deliverables
One final 10" x 10" composition, incorporating a minimum of five visual elements Delivery medium optional: Drawing/painting/printmaking, photography, digital print, collage, assemblage (sculptural), or any combination of these possibilities
Work Process+Schedule (week by week)
- Select object. Photograph object. Explore visual and conceptual ideas
- Collect materials relevant to identified themes (Elements Library)
- Develop multiple compositions with Elements Library materials to express relevant themes and discover formal attributes
- Comparatively analayze compositions to determine communicative and formal characteristics of relevance
- Edit and refine selected compositions and elements to clarify narrative and formal aspects based on analysis. Explore possibilities for material and making.
- Refine and finalize prototype for delivery. Prepare presentation.
- Project due at the beginning of class. Three-minute presentation.
Project Evaluation
The project will be evaluated and graded based on consideration of three categories of criteria: Participation, Process, and Presentation. The specific aspects of each area of consideration are outlined in the Evaluation Rubric form for this project. The project will be graded during the class session when it is due, and each student will receive a marked-up evaluation form as documentation for reflection.
Rubric
(each of the below categories is rated 1-5 and then used to produce a letter grade)
| Participation | Process | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Preparedness for work and discussion during class sessions (homework, materials, and familiarity with readings) | Demonstrating thorough, open-ended, multivariate ways of addressing creative challenges (in-depth iterative exploration) | Depth of meaning and relevance of narrative ideas derivedn from chosen object |
| Actively seeking and attaining self-guided knowledge; effort to constantly improve skills, techniques, and knowledge | Comfort with the unknown and making mistakes as inherent to the creative process | Appreciable clarity of narrative ideas intended to be conveyed |
| Supporting fellow students with active, constructive, and substantive feedback/critique during in-class discussions | Demonstrating ability to consider, address, and incorporate feedback and critique in decision-making (comfort in making changes to one’s work and methods) | Meaningful relevance of images and elements chosen to convey narrative ideas |
| Demonstrating personal connection to the project by incorporating one’s culture, experiences, and viewpoints | Demonstrating an ability to describe one’s decisions and why one is making them | Clarity and decisiveness of visual/formal relationships (contrasts, composition, positive/negative activity, color and material choices) |
| Sharing work at varied stages of completeness; openness in asking for help or support from the instructor and fellow students | Thorough and detailed documentation of process | Meaningful relevance of of visual/formal relationships (contrasts, composition, positive/negative activity, color and material choices) |
| Sufficiently managing time inside and outside the classroom | Quality of craft/production (physical and digital) |