To: Jia Cui
CC: Hazel White", "Qin Han"
Subject: Re: Tutorial notes
Hi Michelle
Thank you for your tutorial notes.
I thought that it would be useful to clarify one or two points, just to make sure we have no misunderstandings.
I'm pleased with your thinking on this project, and the dedicated approach that you have taken. At our last meeting we considered the two broad approaches you could take:
(i) a communications design project that considered aspects of non-verbal communication that may assist in identifying people of high risk, especially in an A+E context;
(ii) a critical design project that focused on suicide. From our discussion it was clear that approach;
(ii) better suited your strengths and aspirations, and I'm most pleased that you took the initiative to contact Graham, whose email to you raised some interesting issues and creative strategies.
As long as you keep uppermost the ethical and sensitive nature of your subject matter, then you should explore this more fully. Essentially you are looking at how design can raise debate and awareness - creating objects that have a 'mediating' value - in other words, a value and function in being a focus for discussion and discourse.
I suggested that the work of artists Dalziel (pronounced "Dayell") and Scullion could be worth looking at in detail. They are not PhD students, but rather two of Scotland's leading contemporary artists who have a base in our College. Their website is here: http://www.dalzielscullion.com/ They use art to raise debate about our relationship with nature.
Your project will require you to look at the variety of ways that graphic design can connect with social issues, but to focus on 'critical design' as one approach that you will develop and evaluate in the specific context of suicide. Some of the variety of ways are these:
1. Advertising campaigns - I showed you a campaign directed at victims of domestic violence.
2. Subversive approaches to the advertising style - eg: Adbusters, which is online and in the library.
3. Information systems to help people to get help or assistance easily, or to provide assistance in a counselling or clinical context.
4. Critical design
You may wish to talk to Jonathan Baldwin briefly, as he is a specialist on visual communication.
A good example of 3. above is 'Living in the Moment' - http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/projects/lim/LIMWeb_28feb_01.swf - which our colleague Gary Gowans in graphics has been working on. This is a system to help families who have family members with dementia.
We can have another discussion about this on Tuesday.
Mike
Professor Mike Press
Head of School
School of Design
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
No comments:
Post a Comment