Design a Better HU

Art 1600 / Greg Clayton

Make it Better

Its one thing to complain -- its another to contribute.

For an artist or a designer, life is about envisioning potential, and then making it real.
That's one way to serve -- make it better.

This project is an open-ended design-solution for our shared environment -- Harding's Campus. Our goal is to...

See what's wrong;
analyze what's needed;
concieve what's better;
present and propose better

First Class:

Discuss and Assign

Second Class:

A loose presentation of
a) some place or area on campus that is not living up to its potential
b) a brief description or anlysis of what's not working
c) a concise, rough presentation of what would be better.

Third Class:

[ presentation: minimum 11"x17" poster board or heavier]

Mount, attach, draw or write the following content:

Identify the Role of this place:
Present what this space or area's function or role is -- what is this area supposed to do, or support?
What should this space make possible?
Note that we can judge or critique only when we agree on the goals or priorities of a design. A design's success depends on how well it meets that purpose. So, what is the purpose of the area you have chosen? Think carefully. Try to identify as many purposes as possible.

Current Deficits:
Describe why this area does not meet the goal or function intended?
What is missing?
What is interfering?
Be as clear and specific as possible.

Solution Concept:
Describe what you are aiming for -- what strengths or benefits do you intend for your design to offer?

Graphic Concept:
Create sketches, diagrams, plans, photos, etc. That present what could be. Show us a loose conception of a better solution.
Include any helpful dimensions, notes on materials. You can use sketches and renderings, as well as small photos of existing places or products that might be similar.

Solution Self-Crit: (due 4th Class: this may be mounted on back of your board)
Describe what make your solution fulfill the Role better?
How or why does your solution benefit others -- how will the users of this space be better off?
Be as honest and critical as you can -- what will the solution you have conceived offer that the current solution does not?

Implementation Steps: (due 4th Class: this may be mounted on back of your board)
Outline what you think must be constructed or changed. I'm not asking for dollar costs. I'm asking about the material, physical changes that would be needed to make your idea real. Think carefully about "Implementation" as best possible. I know you're not an architect or a construction engineer or anything like that. Just try to break down the steps as you see it.

 

Fourth Class:

Refine and clean up your presentation for crit and grade.

Self-Crit Design Questions

Do I have a clear set of unifyng traits?
(If I can't clearly and obviously see which traits are prominent, then I probably don't have a strong, well-established set of unifying elements.)

Do I have a singe, prominent, dominant graphic element?
(there needs to be something — some kind of line, some shape, some pattern, some texture or some color — that just keeps reappearing in the design. If needed, go over-the-top.)

 

Presentation:

Mount designs on contrasting backing board.
 

Placement on the Backing Board:
Give more space around the outer border and on bottom margin. 
This is a matter of visual balance. Extra space around a collection of elements helps "contain" or "frame" the design. Often this is helpful. On the other hand, when elements crowd the edges of a field, they can feel as though they are escaping -- pressuring the outer edges. This tension can be useful, but often it distracts from the design's content. When figures in a design overlap the edge of the field, there is a sense that the design goes on — those figures are either coming or going, extending the space of the design. This trait is either useful or distracting, depending on the content you're aiming to express.

Use guidelines to help place your designs on the field. (use ruler and very light pencil marks to show you where to position elements.)

Glue securely.
Don't let elements buckle or peel away. Why? Because it distracts the viewer from whatever the design is doing.
Avoid glue stains. Experiment with your adhesives and your papers before gluing your final project down. Know how the glue interacts with the paper. Know how much glue to use — very often you can use very little and thus avoid glue stains or buckled paper.

Personal Label .  Design a small self-identifying label that is neat and legible. 
Include – “Design Foundations I”, “Make It Better HU Design”, your name, and the date.   
Mount this on the BACK of the presentation board.
All labels should be consistent, sharp, and legible –not distracting. 

Give attention to general craftsmanship: 
Details matter. 
Avoid rough or ragged edges, cuts or tears. 
Align and orient all features carefully.
Avoid glue stains or smears.
Erase pencil marks and other unneeded marks.

Glossary | Order-Disorder Series | Series 1 | Series 2