Revised essay proposal.

The previous subject area was too broad, so I've tried to narrow it down by concentrating on a couple of theorists rather than complicating the issue by introducing too many.

CRITICAL STUDIES PROPOSAL FORM

Course Title: Graphic Design
Lecturer: Richard Miles
Student: Heather Bradley

Proposed Essay Title or Topic:
Hand-made vs. Mass Production; A comparative study of the different methods of producing typography.

Main issues addressed by the essay and the thrust of the argument (in bullet points):
· Benjamin; Base understanding of the perceived aura.
· Critical evaluation of the influence of technology on type.
· Methods of producing type; a comparative study.
· Evaluate the boundary that is hand-made.

What visual material will be looked at?
Woodblock, Letterpress & Digital fonts

What theoretical approach / methodology will be seen?
Mass reproduction, the 'aura'

Which specific theorists / writers will be referred to?
Walter Benjamin – The Aura

At least 5 Books / Articles / Resources; Already located (Using Harvard)
1. Davis, D. ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995)’, Leonardo, Vol.28, No. 5, 1995, pp. 381-386
2. Benjamin, W. (1936) ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
3. Jury, D. (2004) ‘Letterpress, the Allure of the Handmade’, Switzerland, Rotovision
4. Jury, D. (2006) ‘What is Typography?’, Switzerland, Rotovision
5. McLuhan, M. (1962) ‘The Guttenberg Galaxy: The making of the typographic man’, Toronto, University of Toronto Press

Essay Proposal.

CRITICAL STUDIES PROPOSAL FORM

Course Title:                       Graphic Design
Lecturer:                              Richard Miles
Student:                                Heather Bradley

Proposed Essay Title or Topic:
The influence of technology on the history of Typography (Hand made vs. Digital type)

Main issues addressed by the essay and the thrust of the argument (in bullet points):
·      Plato, Benjamin, Baudrillard; Base understanding of Imitation and the perceived aura.
·      Critical evaluation of the influence of technology on type.
·      Advantages and Disadvantages of digital type; a comparative study.
·      Research and findings of responses to both hand made and digital type.

What visual material will be looked at?
Woodblock, Letterpress & Digital fonts
The media; old & modern day newspaper print

What theoretical approach / methodology will be seen?
Mimesis (Imitation), Mass reproduction, Reality, Virtuality & Hyper-reality

Which specific theorists / writers will be referred to?
Plato – Mimesis (The perceived ‘object-ness’)
Walter Benjamin – The Aura
Jean Baudrillard – Simulacra and Simulation

At least 5 Books / Articles / Resources; Already located (Using Harvard)
1.     Plato, (1974) ‘The Republic’ (Book VII), Penguins Books Ltd.
2.     Benjamin, W. (1936) ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’
3.     Baudrillard, J. (1989) ‘Simulacra and Simulation’, University of Michagan Press.
4.     Baudrillard, J. and Benedict, J. (1996) ‘The System of Objects’, Verso Books.
5.     Horrocks, C. (1999) ‘Introducing Baudrillard’, Icon Books Ltd.

Lecture 6: Globalisation, Sustainability & the Media.

Notes.


Lecture 5: Reality, Hyperreality, Virtuality

Notes.


Lecture 4: Communication Theory

Notes.


Lecture 3: Psychoanalysis

Notes.


Lecture 2: Understanding Media Ideology.

Notes.


100 word analysis on Panopticism, including quotes from Foucault.

Lecture 1: Panopticism.

by Richard Miles.

Really enjoyed this lecture, it was a theory i'd never come across before but got into it really easily. I found it really interesting how this theory is still being used in Modern day life.

Notes.


Manchester.

A visit to the 'hip hop' exhibition at Urbis, Manchester.



I didn't think I was going to enjoy this exhibition after seeing the review, but was open minded none the less. As if terns out, I did really enjoy it, and I found myself taking a like to most of the work displayed.

*Will add more soon.