Phase 1: Week 1

I've started the module with mountains of reading in an attempt to refine my research questions: possibly counterproductive because I now have more questions than I can answer, & uncertainty on which direction to go.

So week 1's question is: which question?

The only thing I've ascertained is I'll be taking an academic approach to 750

Looking back on past modules, I've consolidated my favorite aspects from each.

710: concrete poetry, noticing the ignored, Psychogeography

730: Research proposal on typographic presentation/ADHD

740: Developing a typeface using letter frequency.

720: Biophilic street art

The latter 3 are all projects i felt I could study in much greater depth.

The 730 RP is an area I would genuinely like to progress in PhD study. In 740 I expanded on the idea by developing a new typeface. But given the project was only 8 weeks, I couldn't do it justice. It would have been far more suited to 750 & I wish I'd known this.

Last module, 720, I focused on biophillic design in the urban environment. My outcome has since been adopted by the Whanganui District Council and is currently being painted as a pavement mural across ## metres of CBD. This opened me to the field of neuroaesthetics / neuroarts & it’s fair to say I've become mildly obsessed. Broadly it summarizes my interest on how design intersects with neuroscience and psychology.

Graphic Design + visual communication+ cognition; the mix of art & science; design strategies informed by data & research.

THIS is how I'd like to position myself as a designer.

My dilemma at this point, is that I can forsee avenues of research, but not yet how this can translate to 60% of design outcomes. By taking an academic approach, is it possible to have part of my outcome more thesis based? When I'm researching, I find the combination of integrating this with creativity/making/design an effective process. In 740 & 720 I found practice alternating practice + academic research provided balance, stimulation & pushed me to better outcomes.

(My downfall was taking on too larger scope for the timeframe of the brief, never quite achieving a status of completion).

In terms of audiences: I am intrigued working on solutions that aid neurodiverse children. This is based on my son's diagnosis of ADHD+Autism, and I believe designers have a responsibility to produce solutions which can help people with unique needs.

DAVID CARSON GRAPHIC DESIGN WILL SAVE THE WORLD.

Before I travel further down my renowned rabbit holes of ResearchGate, I need to clarify whether its within the allowances of 750 to progress prior projects, and whether it is possible to distribute more of my SP 60% weighting toward a written outcome, even if that means a creatively designed & physically produced artifact. (ie, cool book)

SUMMARY: Questions for tutors:

  • how does the academic-focused SP look compared to otherwise?

  • Is the academic component only 30% or can it extend into the outcome 60% if creatively produced?

  • Can I elaborate on past projects or must it be module distinct?

INITIAL IDEAS:

What is the cognitive connection between typographic presentation & page layout & ADHD? How can this be tested?

  • gestalt

  • finish & test typeface

  • analyse eye tracking data from web & art studies

  • mockup

  • can I design some intervention to use for reading? I stimulating peripheral vision?

  • adding stimulation/variation?

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

How can the principles & practices of Biophilic Design be employed to enhance visual communication about climate change? How does the graphic design/ visual language of conspiratorial data on climate change, differ to scientific data? How can Biophilic Designs be utilised to enhance the learning environment of elementary/primary aged Children?(Particularly ADHD/ SPD children students.)

TYPOGRAPHY SEMIOTICS

How is typography multimodal in beginning novels? How does this typographic presentation transfer to greater comprehension or even a sensory experience? Measuring This might be beyond the scope of the module but some how I could break it down although my outcome production is unclear.

NEURO ARTS The Neuroart Blueprint identifies the graphic design areas of iconography and typography as potentially having a contribution to neuroaesthetics.

How?