Graphic Design Survey

Merriam-Webster’s defines manifesto as “a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group.” In art, a manifesto is public declaration of an artist or group of artists intentions or views in terms of the work
they create. Over the course of the semester, you will be reading several famous manifestos to better understand what a manifesto is and to get inspiration for your manifesto.

To demonstrate what you’ve learned over the course of the semester, you will create your own manifesto, specifically a manifesto about design. Like artists and designers of the past and present, you will declare what you think about graphic design and what graphic design should be. You could the direction of First Things First and take a more political stance. You could create a manifesto like Bruce Mau that serves as
a set of directions or guidelines for the practice of design. You can just limit yourself to what type of design you think should be made like the Bauhaus and De Stijl manifestos. Your manifesto could be very serious or more light hearted. You could have a very narrow focus or a wider, more general stance.

 

Your goal with this assignment should be to demonstrate the following:

• Convey your understanding of graphic design history, its connection to/impact
  on individuals and cultures.

• Display understanding and comprehension of graphic design styles and timelines.

• Demonstrate an understanding of graphic design history sufficient to make comparisons between formal elements in historical and contemporary design examples.

• Describe the connection between design examples and your development as
  an artist or a critical appreciation of art.

• Describe your beliefs about graphic design and/or the practice of graphic design in written form.

 

You will have several activities to complete over the course of the semester in order to assist you with completing your assignment. All activities should be completed by the deadlines specified and submited as per the instructions provided. The manifesto will be completed in written form first and then will be realized in some other form based on your individual manifesto (i.e. a website, a book, a poster, a video, etc.). You will present your manifesto and the final form of your manifesto to the class on the last day of class.