COURSE MATERIALS
WINTER 2012:
GD315
HISTORY AND ANALYSIS OF
DESIGN
SELECTED ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH PROJECTS:
IN THE BEGINNING
published in Bridgewater Review June 2001;
html link
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
DESIGN TO ENHANCE LEARNING
1. hand-crafted book making to facilitate learning for second-language learners, to teach standards-based curriculum, to provide a visual/tactile learning experience for learners with language learning challenges, and to empower at-risk groups such as women in homeless shelters, or students who are struggling to grasp concepts in any subject.
2. using typography and images to enhance comprehension for adults who have learning differences, notably dyslexia.
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LANGUAGE AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION The world of the early 21st century is, via electronic communication, a global visual culture. How does language shape the way we interpret visual information? When we speak a language, we think in that language, we are of the culture which speaks our language. Those fluent in multiple languages realize that translation is mere words and depth of understanding comes from learning not only a languaage but also learning the way language and culture are interwoven. What are the responsibilites of the communication designer -- in our now gobal visual culture -- towards this understanding?
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DESIGN THROUGH ALL CURRICULA especially design-based projects in Mathematics, Science, History and English. Projects introduce design into standards-based curricula. Students—and teachers—at all levels K-College can use design projects to understand concepts of ALL classroom subjects.
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Excess packaging is wasteful, yet producers, distributors and advertisers promote the ‘need’ for attractive and ‘suitable’ packaging. My students of package design study and develop alternative ecologically-sound packages.
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DESIGN AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE What is ‘sustainable’ design? This question, and relevant answers provides foundation for my teaching, consulting and design practice. ___________________________________________________________
HOW RATIO AFFECTS UNDERSTANDING AND VISUAL APPEAL Pre-20th century architecture typically is structured by specific proportions such as the golden proportion and its inherent symmetry and intuitive rhythms.
Students of Typography use the facades of pre-20th century buildings to decipher the grid used to design the building facades. They develop 2D templates based upon their drawings of the building facades, upon which they produce a typographic poster.
I introduce the importance of using specific, determined ratio to students in all graphic design classes. When students consciously determine page, text block and type size ratios their understanding of, interest in, and confidence in producing designed work significantly improves.
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DONNA STEPIEN (donnastepien@me.com)
INSTRUCTOR, VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN
MFA University at Buffalo
MBA Canisius College
BA Daemen College