Degree Project

Degree Project for Practicum, Art 496A

adleta@ohio.edu

Project Aim

The purpose of this assignment is to have you realize a self-generated project in graphic design. This project should stretch the parameters of what you feel you currently understand regarding any design principle. Rigorous visual search is as important as successfully articulating the concept/message. The objective is to create a professional result based on an area of personal interest and value.

Learning Outcomes

Commitment to a thought and an action

Realize the aesthetics of a self-generated result

Comparative design analysis

Continue to evolve a sense of freedom based on fresh, innovative, visual research within self-imposed restrictions.

Understand how to 'draw' with concepts

Knowing when to stop

Project Problem

Develop the constituent parts of a degree project: the problem statement, a clear method of processing, and a realized solution. The following process is to be used:

Phase One, Proposals

Establish three proposals that have potential for consideration as a degree project. The following issues need to be realized for each at this level:

Title, Name, and Date

A concise problem statement, two to three sentences

Identify the design principle of your interest. Make sure it is the singular most important concentration of your visual search. i.e.. iconography, connotation, formal syntax, information architecture.
Explain how you will use this principle to visually research.

Define the link it has to you as an individual; it should be an area of personal interest or significance. This maximizes your research time.

State the relationship this DP has to your placement in the design industry

Provide visual results of existing models

Turn in one proposal during our second class meeting with all areas completely thought out. This must be presented in a clear and designed format. Make sure your name, date, project title and each point is clearly incorporated. Attach copies of collected visual models.

Bring your existing resume or a rough draft of it to the second class with the questionnaire filled out.

Remember all your work must be present during class time and kept in an organized black three ring binder throughout the year.

We will review the other two concepts and determine the appropriate one to pursue after juxtaposing them during the third week.

Phase Two, Final Proposal Presentation

The final proposal must be presented to your classmates and invited guests. Scheduled for the fourth class, the 27th of September, and it must consist of:

Project Title, your name, date

The Abstract or Problem Statement, a brief description of the project

Means of Design Research, Include the area of design research
Project significance
State the relevance of your personal interest and how it has value to you
Connect to the area of concentration you wish to apply your design skills

Statement regarding the target audience/context, values, impact, comparables, . . .

Time line

Bibliography and references list

Phase Three, the Visual Research

The breakthrough which happens during the visual searching. We identify a 2-3 hour time slot outside the class time to get together with your study group to have working sessions. This must be a set time each week. I will attend these from time to time. You need to be there concentrating on the visual research and experimentation in order to complete phase three. The results are to be presented the 8th week of class as a work in progress report and a final report during the exam time. This needs to be presented formally in a 5-10 minute presentation to the class and invited guests, on 5 11 x 14" black boards or in a a series of 5 PowerPoint slides or web pages projected.

If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Professor Don Adleta
Seigfred 422
740.593.4284

Practicum, Art 496A
Graphic Design Program
School of Art
Ohio University

Fall Quarter '2K/01

Wednesday 6-9 PM
406 + Lab in 405 + Lecture room 403