One Word Poster - Brief

BA (Hons) Graphics Year 1 Unit BA1

Date: 21.09.15 to 02.10.15

Project 1: One Word Poster

The brief in a sentence
Design a typographic poster that clearly communicates the meaning of one of the words listed below, as part of the design process, you must also document and evidence the various stages of visual development that supports your poster.

Context
This assignment is designed to enable you to generate visual ideas and to select and communicate those ideas effectively. The brief promotes visual research skills and encourages lateral rather than literal thinking. Be imaginative.

The challenge
You are required to design a poster that promotes and communicates one of the words presented below. Develop the concept of your chosen word using wit, irony, parody, cynicism, metaphor – anything you consider to be appropriate – so long as it is relevant and communicates effectively. The poster should be presented as a fully finished visual, and must include your selected word as an integral part of the image, not just as a caption. Throughout the design process, you must carefully document and evidence the various stages of visual development that supports your poster design.

Word List:
Animate Axis Burden Candy Carousel Category Centralise Change Charismatic Decline Diminish Economic Free Ghost Hard Hide Issue Miss Narrative Serious Natural Open Paradox Preference Press Reflect Reform Romance Seal Aggressive Set Soft Tilt Wrapper Zone Poised Discrete Precise Consistent Vigorous Warm Mature Honest Mobile Belief Reject Drop Send Crush Audience Flop Creep

The Audience

Assignment: One Word Poster

The poster should be aimed at, and visually engage, a broad non-specialist audience.

Things to consider
It is important that your poster design clearly communicates the meaning of your chosen word in an inventive and appropriate manner.

Assessment
For assessment, you will be required to submit the following:
• All visual research, analysis and development specifically relating to this project 
• A fully realised final poster outcome(s)
• Task 1: Word Mood Board
• Task 2: Composition and Materials

Books
Glaser, M. (2010) Graphic Design. Overlook Press
Games, N. Moriarty, C. and Rose, J. (2003) Abram Games, Graphic Designer: Maximum
Meaning, Minimum Means. Lund Humphries
Fletcher, A. (2001) The Art of Looking Sideways. Phaidon
Ambrose, G and Harris, P. (2008) New Production Manual: A Graphic Design Handbook. AVA Publishing SA

Journals online resources
Creative Review www.ffffound.com
Eye Magazine http://www.thisiscollate.com/ Idea www.itsnicethat.com/

Learning Outcome	How you will be assessed:
LO1: Showanawarenessofthefundamental	We will be looking for an awareness of the basic

historical, cultural and ethical concepts and principles associated with your subject.	principles of graphic design and evidence of investigation and understanding of historical and contemporary graphic design practices. Some of this will be evidenced in your 1000 word written text, but equally we would expect to see examples of relevant graphic design practice within your project development work.
LO2: Demonstrate the skills required for researching, interpreting and presenting fundamental ideas and theories around your subject.	We will be looking for evidence within both your 1000 word written text and your studio-based project work that you can find relevant and appropriate material, successfully edit, utilise and analyse that material such that it becomes useful to your immediate project work and your on-going academic development. We are also looking for evidence that the materials you research and work with provide you with a good platform from which to successfully develop appropriate and engaging ideas and concepts.
LO3: Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the materials and processes associated with your subject area.	We will be looking for evidence within both your development work and final outcomes that you have explored, tested and developed solutions that make appropriate use of various materials and processes.
LO4: Communicate the development and outcomes of your work clearly and effectively to others.	We will be looking for the satisfactory development and evolution of your ideas and concepts. Your development work should be presented in a chronological and clear manner from initial research and ideas through to final outcome.

Studio Tasks Week 1

Task 1: Word Mood Board.

This task is designed to develop your use and understanding of visual language in order to produce powerful and effective communication.

Description
Students to each bring in three pictorial magazines, that have differing content, that they are prepared to chop up. Each group is given two words, that represent opposites. Divide an A2 board in half and represent one word on each side.
1. Love Hate
2. Real Fake
3. Light Dark
4. Simple Complex

Why?
To introduce and enhance compositional skills. Enhance studio craft skills. Exploring alternative formats and meaning, to encourage lateral thinking.

Resources
– A2 sheets of paper/card
– drawing materials: pencil/pen etc – scissors
– scalpel
– glue
– 3 pictorial magazines

Expectation
2 x A3 boards with the group representation of 2 opposite words.

Studio Tasks Week 2

Task 2: Composition and Materials.
This task is designed to enable you explore the compositional potential of various formats and how the use of different materials can inform design.

Description
Using a square format, produce a series of compositions that utilise a square, a circle and a triangle. Consider colour, scale and format.

Why?
To introduce and enhance compositional skills. Enhance studio craft skills. Exploring alternative formats and media.

Resources
– coloured paper
– drawing materials: pencil/pen etc. – scissors
– scalpel
– glue
– ruler
– cutting mat
– compass

Expectation
A series of 9 composed squares. Each composition should be appropriately titled, for example:
Open Tense Balanced Rhythmic Sparse