New Assignment! Essay Response

Okay! Instead of the typesetting exercise, we're going to try something a bit more inspirational:

Please pick one of the following essays and make a design response:

Karel Martens

Norman Potter and Robin Kinross

If there is another essay on design you would rather use, that is fine. But material must be chosen carefully.
Should be related to the "global design community"

* crisscrossing of interests and information--

* dedication to improving the world we live in--

* with authorship and entrepreneurship that addresses current issues and needs.

Take a look at this (edited) mission statement from SVA's MFA Design program, called "Designer as Author":

"The School of Visual Arts MFA Designer as Author launched in 1998 as an alternative to traditional masters’ programs that emphasize form over content. Our students are encouraged to create their own content using new media and develop a thesis aimed directly for a marketplace of goods and ideas.
Entrepreneurship has become more significant throughout the contemporary design scene. MFA Design students work individually and collaboratively during two intensive years to develop objects of value through electronic and handcrafted means. MFA Design provides the education, inspiration, and experience to insure students transcend the common definition of designers as service providers into individual and collaborative authors.
We require that students be fluent in the languages of graphic design and typography. In addition we welcome those who have backgrounds (and interest) in motion, sound, writing, and editing. Students must be able to convey ideas verbally and visually. We do not teach a student how to design but rather how to marshal their abilities to rise to the next creative level.
We believe it is important for the designer of the future to be thoroughly integrated into numerous communication platforms. Our students are, therefore, encouraged to draw inspiration from other visual and communications artists who share authorial aspirations. And in this way, the program is not restricted to a conventional curriculum. Instead we embrace a broad set of visual languages as the foundation for all creative activity."
Steven Heller, co-chair
Lita Talarico, co-chair

typotheque also has a good section of essays, like this one by stefan sagmeister

the response can take any form (book, poster, infographic, package, etc) so long as it is a creative response from critical reading (ask questions, research the info, figure out how it fits into your career agenda, etc)

we will try to dig up some examples from past classes and post those.

-e