< revisions >research project about chinese design

THE SEMESTER PROJECT

The Semester Project is an independent research project on a design history topic of your choice, to be conceived and completed, on your own, over 8 or 9 weeks of the semester. It will require you to write the equivalent of 2 pages of ( single-spaced ) text and create illustrations filling 6 – 8½ x 11 pages as part of a text and visual project (more specific format requirements later). The goals of the project are:

* To pursue a design history topic of particular interest and educational value to you

Goals * To learn enough about a topic to draw some specific conclusions of general interest

* To apply concepts and skills learned in the course to independent research & analysis

* To experiment with the visual language of design in the communication of information

The project will require that you think about, research, and formally propose a topic of your own choice nearly two months before the final due date. You will fill out a form, detailing your intentions well ahead of time; so think about a topic, and some possible specific aims, early in the semester.

a) The text portion of the project should consist of at least 1,000 words (about 2 single- spaced, very full pages at a modest type size)(may be integrated with the images).

b) The visual portion (illustrations/graphics) should be roughly equal in area to

Format 6 – 8½ x 11 sheets as a minimum, in any layout. All visuals should be labeled.

c) There must be a label or title page containing your name, project title; and course name/#.

d) A page of references --- any footnotes, and a bibliography of sources --- is required.

e) Pages must be at least 8½ x 11 and no bigger than 11 x17, all attached together in some way.

f) The project must be contained as a package inside a folder, binder, case, box, etc.

The following topics are ideas; you are free to choose or invent any topic you wish, as long as

Topic it is directly relevant to design history as we have studied it. Part of the process will be thinking about and developing a worthwhile, interesting topic, one that relates your own interests, goals, or identity to design history the way we have approached it.

1) 21st century society (any one: U.S., China, developing world, globalized society world-wide, etc.)

in terms of design and what it tells us (considering environment, technology, history, culture, etc.)

2) The “Western Tradition” vs. “eastern”/Asian tradition(s), or other non-western traditions (Africa, Pacific Island, etc.) – but as we see them expressed in design.

3) New technology-based design analyzed in relation to the natural environment – in terms of practical, technical issues, as well as aesthetics, and cultural/social meaning and value.

4) How design – in any historical or modern society of your choice – communicates messages to us, messages understood in relation to cultural history and values.

5) The legacy of historic design in current society and/or current design; how do we live with design that grows out of past traditions; what is the role of “tradition” in design today?

6) A specific area of design, in a specific society or area of a society – or across different cultures (for example, body art in a youth demographic in U.S., Europe, East Asia) – analyzed in terms of what it tells us, what it communicates and how it does that, in social / environmental context.

- design for body art, grooming, clothing/fashion, etc. in social/environmental context

- personal communication technology design, or digital entertainment design in context

- personal transportation technology design, etc.

- design of homes, living environments ….

7) Sustainable or “green” design looked at in historical and social or cultural perspective: What does such design communicate and how does it do so? Are there/could there be traditional aspects in the design of sustainable environments?

8) Pick an ancient or historical (pre-industrial) society, or tradition that we did not explore, and analyze their design in relation to environment, way of life, ways of thinking, etc., in a similar way to what we have been doing in class.

IMPORTANT

Your topic should deal with some part of each of these two categories:

a) influences on design : environment, and/or history/tradition/evolution, and/or technologies

b) meanings of design : expressing cultural traits, tendencies, ideas, or beliefs; artistic meanings

TOPIC: 1) 21st century society (China) in terms of design and what it tells us (considering environment, technology, history, culture, etc.)

e.g. Modern China buildings combine with both eastern style(old china) and western style, that terms of design shows in a lot of China buildings like houses. western structure but chinese style design(outlook and interior), etc.

when you mention china buildings please talked about how the old china architecture and culture influences on design (please must talk about Qi, yin yang, feng shui, harmony between nature and human being, etc. ) you can find from the handouts. combine with old chinese history, talk about how we still us FENG SHUI as one of our biggest consideration of doing a design. give some old china architecture examples and new china building examples. etc.

please mention the new chinese architecture style, how it combine modern design with old chinese elements, how modern society influence the chinese design, why we need to save those elements and what is the meaning of those?

there are some parts need to illustration, please highlight or layout the strutter so i can draw it. Thank you!