Welcome to Cross-Media Design Studio! This site will be an extension of our studio community where you can find assignments, project resources, readings, inspiration, etc.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This advanced senior-level course focuses on an investigation of the role of medium in the creation of visual narratives. Through a series of investigations and projects, students will explore how the choice of medium itself is an integral part of a design solution, and how to utilize each medium’s inherent strengths through the creation of multiple experiences across different mediums. This course will provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding and experience working in static, time-based, and participatory design modalities.

INTRODUCTION
Graphic designers are required to understand the nuances of a very broad range of mediums. Designers need to understand the nature and inherent affordances of different mediums, and how to identify the most appropriate venue for a particular message to be communicated to a particular audience.

Narratives can be expressed in many forms. As designers, we are tasked with deciding how the story is told, choosing what to emphasize as the tellers of the story.

Plot / Content — the facts, events, people, voices, observations, research, and raw material of the story
Narrative / Telling — how the story is constructed and experienced through structure, sequence, point of view, pacing, reveal, etc.

This course will include:
/ The introduction of a research praxis will assist each student in investigating and developing content, building narrative, and making strategic use of different mediums.

/ Collaborative exercises will center around analyzing media to better understand what each provides to the designer.

/ A major narrative project exploring how one story can be interpreted and reinterpreted through different mediums and visual languages.

During the last portion of the course, the Capstone theme will be introduced. Students will begin to research and conceive of the project that they will further develop in the Spring, and exhibit during the Senior Graphic Design Exhibition.

Core questions we will investigate:

/ What are the unique attributes of different media or venues, and how can their inherent strengths and affordances be utilized / exploited?

/ How does a designer shape elements / data / information to build a narrative?

/ What is the experience / narrative’s message?

/ And for whom?

Please find the full Syllabus at the link below, for a detailed description of the course, policies, and evaluation criteria: 

Syllabus

Shared Google Drive

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Image: Lisa Strausfeld