OUGD501 - Study Task 03 - Establishing a Research Question

OUGD501 – STUDY TASK 3 – ESTABLISHING A

RESEARCH QUESTION

Suggested Research Question:

This can be a topic or theme, but please try to be as precise as possible.

Which Of The Module Resources Does This Question Relate To?

My essay will investigate the broad theme of simulaca in contemporary visual culture. I am intrigued by theories surrounding hyper-realities and how postmodernist techniques and principles are still having an impact on trends and preferences in today's visual culture. I want to examine the extent to which pastiche and parody have created a simulacra, whether or not it was avoidable and what the future may hold in terms of defining aesthetics and movements. I am also interested in looking into analogue production methods and their relevance in contemporary creative industries, I may look into combining these two areas of research together. 

Points of personal interest include:

• ·         Is print dead? Is printed graphic design still relevant to the digital age? Is analogue just a cool fad, a passing trend or something more?
• ·         Visual trends with graphic design and the rebirth of printed design– why is when a piece of work is described as being trendy or on trend, its considered ‘bad’ or unoriginal? Is the rebirth of ‘Print’ just another fad, will it disappear? Why has there been resurgence in printed media in recent times? What is the driving force behind it?
• ·         Technology’s influence and impact of graphic design practice. How has the spread and accessibility of technology impact on individual graphic designers? Methods such as screen printing, letterpress and traditional typesetting, DIY publishing, grunge aesthetic, self published zines etc
• ·         Technology’s impact on typography and authorship of design work
• ·         Postmodernists influence of typography and analogue design techniques
• ·         Is print still relevant in the digital age?
• ·         How did traditional production methods empower a generation? The politics of print...DIY/Self publishing
• ·         Print is being reborn, but styles from the 80’s and 90s are replaying. This is blatant pastiche, but why is the past so desirable right now? Analogue techniques are being revisited but so are aesthetics and trends from the past
• ·         What point did pastiche become unavoidable? At what point was everything done? Jameson The image as a commodity

Which Academic Sources Are Available On The Topic?

Include a Harvard Referenced bibliography of at least 5 sources.

• ·         McLuhan. M (Originally published 1967) Penguin Classics, The Medium is the Message: An Inventory of Effects
• ·        Levinson.P (2001) Routledge; New Ed edition, Digital McLuhan: A Guide to the Information Millennium
• ·        Hoesterey. I (2001) Penn State University Press, Pastiche: Cultural Memory in Art, Film, Literature 
• ·        Greiman. A (1990) Watson-Guptill Publishing, Hybrid Imagery: The Fusion of Technology and Graphic Design
• ·        Pittman. R.K, McDonald. D, Baird. R.N (1993) Harcourt College Publishing, Graphics of Communication: Methods, Media & Technology
• ·        Duncombe. S (2008) Microcosm Publishing; Second Edition, Notes from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture
• ·        Klanten. R (2011) Die Gestalten Verlag, Behind the Zines: Self Publishing Culture
• ·        Nealon. J.T (2012) Stanford University Press, Post-Postmodernism: Or, the Cultural Logic of Just-in-Time Capitalism

How Could The Research Question Be Investigated Through Practice?

I would research through actually experimenting with and using the traditional/analogue methods. This is something I am interested in for a number of reasons. By trying my hand at them, I will be able to understand the processes in a much more personal and realised way. I will research the analogue methods in greater detail when I begin my research for the essay, this will then allow me to get a better idea of what sort of practical work I want to actually produce for this module. The research both primary and secondary will directly inform my practical work.  

What Graphic Design would you make in response to this, and why?

I would create a number of pieces of work that examine and implement analogue production methods ranging from screen printing, mono-printing, embossing, foiling, collaging, letterpress and so on. The practical work could take any form, but my strengths lie in poster and editorial design so I think that would be the rough route I see myself taking.