hello.
hello. my name is alex,
hello. my name is alex,
a n d i h av e a f e w q u e s t i o n s f o r yo u ...
What is a senior thesis?
What is a senior thesis?
What is a senior thesis? what is the point of it?
What is a senior thesis? what is the point of it?
What is a senior thesis? what is the point of it? why do we have to do it?
but most importantly...
but most importantly...
w h at i s a graphic design senior thesis???
Well...... according to most people, a
senior
thesis
is:
a l a r g e , i n d e p e n d e n t r es e a r c h p r oj ect t h at s t u d e n ts ta k e o n i n t h e s e n i o r y e a r o f h i g h s c h o o l o r c o l l e g e t o f u lf i l l a g r a d uat i o n r eq u i r e m e n t. Fo r s o m e s t u d e n ts i t i s a requirement
for
g r a d uat i n g
with
honors.
Students
typi-
c a l ly w o r k c lo s e ly w i t h a n a dv i s o r a n d c h o o s e a q u es t i o n or topic to explore before carrying out an extensive res e a r c h p l a n . A t h es i s w i l l b e t h e c u l m i n at i n g wo r k o f yo u r s t u d i es at a pa rt i c u l a r i n s t i t u t i o n a n d i t w i l l r e p r es e n t your
ability
to
conduct
research
and
write
e f f ect i v e ly.
Well...... according to most people, a
senior
thesis
is:
a l a r g e , i n d e p e n d e n t r es e a r c h p r oj ect t h at s t u d e n ts ta k e o n i n t h e s e n i o r y e a r o f h i g h s c h o o l o r c o l l e g e t o f u lf i l l a g r a d uat i o n r eq u i r e m e n t. Fo r s o m e s t u d e n ts i t i s a requirement
for
g r a d uat i n g
with
honors.
Students
typi-
c a l ly w o r k c lo s e ly w i t h a n a dv i s o r a n d c h o o s e a q u es t i o n or topic to explore before carrying out an extensive res e a r c h p l a n . A t h es i s w i l l b e t h e c u l m i n at i n g wo r k o f yo u r s t u d i es at a pa rt i c u l a r i n s t i t u t i o n a n d i t w i l l r e p r es e n t your
ability
to
conduct
research
and
write
e f f ect i v e ly.
b b b b
Well...... according to most people, a
l l l l
senior
a a a a
thesis
h h h h
b b b b
is:
l l l l
a a a a
h h h h
b b b b
l l l l
a a a a
a l a r g e , i n d e p e n d e n t r es e a r c h p r oj ect t h at s t u d e n ts ta k e
o n i n t h e s e n i o r y e a r o f h i g h s c h o o l o r c o l l e g e t o f u lf i l l a g r a d uat i o n r eq u i r e m e n t. Fo r s o m e s t u d e n ts i t i s a requirement
for
g r a d uat i n g
with
honors.
Students
typi-
c a l ly w o r k c lo s e ly w i t h a n a dv i s o r a n d c h o o s e a q u es t i o n
or topic to explore before carrying out an extensive res e a r c h p l a n . A t h es i s w i l l b e t h e c u l m i n at i n g wo r k o f yo u r s t u d i es at a pa rt i c u l a r i n s t i t u t i o n a n d i t w i l l r e p r es e n t your
ability
to
conduct
research
and
write
e f f ect i v e ly.
h h h h
... and most of these same people,
have no understanding of what
graphic design r e a l ly i s .
... and most of these same people,
have no understanding of what
graphic design r e a l ly i s .
... and most of these same people,
have no understanding of what
graphic design r e a l ly i s .
Ta k i n g t h i s i n to c o u n t, i d e c i d ed to f o c u s my
thesis
p r oj e c t
on
the
b o u n da r i e s
of
g r a p h i c d e s i g n a n d t h e d e s i g n er h i m/ h er s el f.
Ta k i n g t h i s i n to c o u n t, i d e c i d ed to f o c u s my
thesis
p r oj e c t
on
the
b o u n da r i e s
of
g r a p h i c d e s i g n a n d t h e d e s i g n er h i m/ h er s el f. more
s p e c i f i c a l ly,
gr aphic
design
the and
r el at i o n s h i p
b e t w een
s el f - e x p r e s s i o n
and
w h e t h er o r n ot g r a p h i c d e s i g n c a n b e u s ed as
a
m ed i u m
d r aw i n g
and
of ot h er
expression fine
arts
like are
pa i n t i n g , a p p l i ed.
AND
THIS
SELF - NAMED
STUDY
SHALL
BE
CALLED :
a l e x p l o r a t i o n
AND
THIS
SELF - NAMED
STUDY
SHALL
BE
CALLED :
a l e x p l o r a t i o n
w h at
e x ac t ly
i s
a l e x p lo r at i o n?
i t i s t h e e x p lo r at i o n o f m y a b i l i t y to v i s u a l ly e x p r e s s l i f e e x p e r i e n c e s ,* using gr aphic design as the medium.
w h at
e x ac t ly
i s
a l e x p lo r at i o n?
i t i s t h e e x p lo r at i o n o f m y a b i l i t y to v i s u a l ly e x p r e s s l i f e e x p e r i e n c e s ,* using gr aphic design as the medium.
* The experiences will be aimed towards the exploration and completion of unfulfilled collegiate activities. THERE WILL BE TEN OF THEM , AND HERE ’ S A SNEAK THEY WILL BE :
PEEK
OF
CLIMB ROCK WALL
PHOTOGRAPH STRANGERS
MAKE $10 0 IN A WEEK
VISIT METEORITE MUESUM
USE GRAPHIC DESIGN AS A PRESENT
BREAK THE RULES
ATTEND RANDOM CLASSES
LEARN HOW TO SCREENPRINT
MEDITATION LESSON
VISIT THOMAS MORE LIBRARY
WHAT
* The experiences will be aimed towards the exploration and completion of unfulfilled collegiate activities. THERE WILL BE TEN OF THEM , AND HERE ’ S A SNEAK THEY WILL BE :
PEEK
OF
CLIMB ROCK WALL
PHOTOGRAPH STRANGERS
MAKE $10 0 IN A WEEK
VISIT METEORITE MUESUM
USE GRAPHIC DESIGN AS A PRESENT
BREAK THE RULES
ATTEND RANDOM CLASSES
LEARN HOW TO SCREENPRINT
MEDITATION LESSON
VISIT THOMAS MORE LIBRARY
WHAT
* The experiences will be aimed towards the exploration and completion of unfulfilled collegiate activities. THERE WILL BE TEN OF THEM , AND HERE ’ S A SNEAK THEY WILL BE :
PEEK
OF
CLIMB ROCK WALL
PHOTOGRAPH STRANGERS
MAKE $10 0 IN A WEEK
VISIT METEORITE MUESUM
USE GRAPHIC DESIGN AS A PRESENT
BREAK THE RULES
ATTEND RANDOM CLASSES
LEARN HOW TO SCREENPRINT
MEDITATION LESSON
VISIT THOMAS MORE LIBRARY
WHAT
* The experiences will be aimed towards the exploration and completion of unfulfilled collegiate activities. THERE WILL BE TEN OF THEM , AND HERE ’ S A SNEAK THEY WILL BE :
PEEK
OF
CLIMB ROCK WALL
PHOTOGRAPH STRANGERS
MAKE $10 0 IN A WEEK
VISIT METEORITE MUESUM
USE GRAPHIC DESIGN AS A PRESENT
BREAK THE RULES
ATTEND RANDOM CLASSES
LEARN HOW TO SCREENPRINT
MEDITATION LESSON
VISIT THOMAS MORE LIBRARY
WHAT
M e t h o d o l o g y Phenomenological research i s o n e o f m a n y t y p e s o f q u a l i tat i v e r e se a r ch t h at ex amines the life experiences of humans in o r d e r t o g a i n u n d er s ta n d i n g a n d knowledge from them.
robo-fro-bun
Meet roboalex. she is A robot prototype of Alex, who is often utilized as
a
diagram
element
to
i l l u s t r a t e t h e 5 STEPS o f PHENOMENOLOGY .
robo-moccasins
robo-fro-bun
Meet roboalex. she is A robot prototype of Alex, who is often utilized as
a
diagram
element
to
i l l u s t r a t e t h e 5 STEPS o f PHENOMENOLOGY .
robo-moccasins
robo-fro-bun
Meet roboalex. she is A robot prototype of Alex, who is often utilized as
a
diagram
element
to
i l l u s t r a t e t h e 5 STEPS o f PHENOMENOLOGY .
robo-moccasins
step 01: develop a question
step 02: gather data step 03: summarize
step 05: Produce Statement step 04: Discuss
step 01: develop a question
step 02: gather data step 03: summarize
step 05: Produce Statement step 04: Discuss
step 01: develop a question
step 02: gather data step 03: summarize
step 05: Produce Statement step 04: Discuss
step 01: develop a question
step 02: gather data step 03: summarize
step 05: Produce Statement step 04: Discuss
step 01: develop a question
step 02: gather data step 03: summarize
step 05: Produce Statement step 04: Discuss
research results
Results from Step 1 (develop the question) I de veloped the q u e sti o n:
Can AND how may life experiences be expressed USING graphic design? by r ef l e c t i n g u p o n m y o w n v i e w s c o n c er n i n g t h i s to p i c , a lo n g w i t h a n a ly z i n g t h e o p i n i o n s m y f el lo w d e s i g n er s, p eer s, a n d m en to r s .
Results from Step 2 (organize plan to gather data = blog)
the blog.
Results from Step 3 (summarize findings = journal & activity log)
Journal and activity log.
Results from Step 4 (discussion section = design inspiration & rough designs)
inspirational books, magazines, & websites.
Results from Step 4 (continued)
rough designs.
Results from Step 4 (continued)
rough designs CONT.
Results from Step 5 (produce a statement = final book of designs)
M y f i n a l s tat em e n t i s p r e s e n t e d i n b o o k f o r m , WHICH t h a t j o i n s t h e t e n activities
as
one,
confirming
t h at
t h e y a l l h av e a c o m m o n r el at i o n s h i p with graphic design and expression. This l ast step in phenomenologic al research is intended to bring all e x p er i e n c e s a n d d ata to g e t h er i n a w ay t h at i s u n d er s ta n d a b l e to t h e audience
by
emphasizing
the
core
of the commonalit y and differences shared by all of the experiences.
act i o n s ta k e n
a c t i o n s ta k e n
This sec tion of the a thesis paper is usually arr anged in a p r o b l e m → s o l u t i o n f o r m .
h o w e v er , in m y c a se i se t u p a s activity → design response. I c o m pl e t ed e ac h ac t i v i t y w i t h t h ei r a ppr o pr i at e d e s i g n r e s p o n s e pi ec e / s, a n d d o c u m en tat i o n o f m y t h o u g h t s fr o m b ef o r e, d u r i n g a n d a f t er e ac h e v en t, w h i c h c a m e d i r ec t ly fr o m m y j o u r n a l .
a c t i o n s ta k e n
This sec tion of the a thesis paper is usually arr anged in a p r o b l e m → s o l u t i o n f o r m .
h o w e v er , in m y c a se i se t u p a s activity → design response. I c o m pl e t ed e ac h ac t i v i t y w i t h t h ei r a ppr o pr i at e d e s i g n r e s p o n s e pi ec e / s, a n d d o c u m en tat i o n o f m y t h o u g h t s fr o m b ef o r e, d u r i n g a n d a f t er e ac h e v en t, w h i c h c a m e d i r ec t ly fr o m m y j o u r n a l .
a c t i o n s ta k e n
This sec tion of the a thesis paper is usually arr anged in a p r o b l e m → s o l u t i o n f o r m .
h o w e v er , in m y c a se i se t u p a s activity → design response. I c o m pl e t ed e ac h ac t i v i t y w i t h t h ei r a ppr o pr i at e d e s i g n r e s p o n s e pi ec e / s, a n d d o c u m en tat i o n o f m y t h o u g h t s fr o m b ef o r e, d u r i n g a n d a f t er e ac h e v en t, w h i c h c a m e d i r ec t ly fr o m m y j o u r n a l .
ACTIVITY # 01 CLIMB ROC K WALL
“ I A M A B O U T T O G O C L I M B T H E R O C K W A L L …. S O M E W H A T E X C I T E D . I H O P E M Y B O D Y C A N W I T H S T A N D T H I S P H Y S I C A L A C T I V I T Y. I ’ M N O T M U C H O F A W O R K E R - O U T E R , B U T I T H I N K I ’ L L B E A B L E T O H A N D L E I T. ”
ACTIVITY # 02 MAKE $10 0 IN A WEEK
making a dollar is simple enough. but when it comes to money, is definitely not more. moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore
everyone wants mo r e of that paper. green paper. ugly green paper.
i need a dollar. i need a dollar. i need a dollar. i need a dollar. i need a dollar. i need a dollar. i need a dollar.
more ugly g reen paper please.
ACTIVITY # 03 USE G RAPHIC D ESIG N AS A PRESENT
ACTIVITY # 04 ATTEN D RAN DOM CLASSES
WHAT EVEN IS A POKE? SOMETHING THATʼS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ANNOYANCE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ACTION. THANK YOU “SOCIAL NETWORKING REVOLUTION.”
ACTIVITY # 04 ATTEN D RAN DOM CLASSES
ACTIVITY # 05 ME DITATION LESSON
ACTIVITY # 05 ME DITATION LESSON
ACTIVITY # 06 PHOTOG RAPH STRANG ERS
ACTIVITY # 07 VISIT METEORITE MUSEUM
THE ODDS OF A METEOR LANDING ON YOUR HOUSE ARE ONE IN
182, 138, 880, 000, 000.
YOUR ODDS O F BECOMING THE PRESIDENT O F THE UNIT ED STAT ES, DATING A SUPERMODEL, OR CONT RACTING MAD COW DISEASE ARE MUCH BET T ER. w at c h o ut.
ACTIVITY # 08 LEARN HOW TO SC REEN PRINT
ACTIVITY # 08 LEARN HOW TO SC REEN PRINT
ACTIVITY # 09 BREAK THE RULES
delinquent?
hoodrat?
villain?
ACTIVITY # 1 0 VISIT THOMAS MORE LIBRARY
SIMPLE LITTLE BOOKWORM
HID DE N U NDER NE AT H... I S
T H E
S E X I E S T
take o ff those glasses and let your hair down for me.
L I B R A R I A N .
FINALLY Bringing this endeavor to an end ha s brought a sense of relief, clarif ication and knowledge to my psyche.
The process of Alexploration has COME TO AN END, AND HAS ULTIMATELY signified the question,
“Can life experiences be expressed through graphic design?� t o b e c o r r e c t, b y m e a n s o f t h e r e s e a r c h m e t h o d p h e n o m e n o l o g y .
I d em o n s t r at ed h o w t h i s t y p e o f g r a p h i c e x p r e s s i o n i s p o s sible by submit ting myself to complete ten chosen life experiences, and then produce a design piece responding to each.
This
ende avor
has
infused
my
brain
with
knowledge
regard-
i n g t h e r el at i o n s h i p b e t w een g r a p h i c d e s i g n a n d s el f - e x p r e s sion, and has enhanced my portfolio with a self-promotional p i e c e t h at s h o w s a n a s s o r t m en t o f d e s i g n a p p r o a c h e s I a m a b l e t o g e n e r at e . “A l e x p l o r at i o n � h a s a l s o ta u g h t m e t h at s e l f - e x p r e s s i o n a n d c r e at i v i t y a r e n ot a n d s h o u l d n ot b e p r i v i l e g e r es e r v e d e x c l u s i v e ly f o r s u p e r s ta r d e s i g n e r s; t h e s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s r e s t w i t h i n a l l d e s i g n e r s – w h e t h e r t h e y r e a l i z e i t o r n o t.
GOODBYE .