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nstructions and Grading Criteria

Important! Approach this discussion as you would if you were writing a college paper. In other words, don't just start writing in the discussion board without having a plan. I recommend that you open a Word document and write a polished 500-650 word paper, then copy and paste this into your discussion post.

Explore the links below, the internet, and the world around you until you until you find a specific example of contemporary design that expresses an idealistic vision. Think out of the box! You will not select a work of art in the traditional sense, such as painting or sculpture. Instead you will select a specific well-designed product, building, or graphic form that serves a clear function and also expresses an idealistic vision. The internet is filled with information, images, and videos about architecture and design, and I encourage you to do additional research about the work you select. More information about Design Disciplines can be found in Artforms, Chapter 11, pages 176-187.

Explore these links to learn about the different types of design. This will help provide ideas and inspiration as you search for a specific example of design (e.g. a specific product, building or graphic/digital design) to write about. You are not required to select your specific example of design from these links.

Product/Industrial Design

Architecture

Graphic/Digital Design

Your post is worth 80 possible points

After you select a specific example of contemporary design, write and post a 500-650 word analysis, in which you describe, examine, and evaluate the design and how it expresses an idealistic vision. Organize your analysis into three paragraphs, listed below, and follow the instructions. Although not required, it may be helpful to use headings.

At the beginning of each paragraph, write a concise topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph is about. This topic sentence will help frame the controlling argument for each paragraph and will help your reader follow your key ideas.

Paragraph One: Description and Function

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words

First, post an image, or post a link to the specific example of contemporary design you are writing about. For example, if you choose to write about the design of a specific website, you would post a link to that website. You may also include a link to a video by or about the designer or architect and their work.

In your topic sentence, clearly state the name of the example you selected and its function. Do this in one sentence.

For example: "The Macbook Pro, the well-known Apple laptop, is a portable computer that helps people access information and complete complex tasks for themselves."

Next, describe the overall design as you would to someone who hasn’t seen it. Paint a detailed picture with words. Your description should be so clear and specific that the reader can imagine, in their mind, how it looks and functions.

Paragraph Two: The Idealistic Vision

This paragraph should be between 200-250 words.

In your topic sentence, clearly state the idealistic vision represented in the design example. What is the big idea that underpins the design? What is the ideal the designer was aiming for?

For example: "The Macbook Pro uses an intuitive human-centered design that promotes individual power, creativity, and liberation.

Next, explain in detail how this ideal is manifested in the design. How does the design express this idealistic vision…the big idea? Support your key points with several specific observations from the design you selected. Each sentence must be clear and descriptive. You can also use ideas and information you find online, as well as your own ideas and insights. Please cite your sources.

It may be helpful to consider some of these factors:

You don't need to answer all these questions. They are here to get you thinking.

What is the higher purpose that the design serves?
Does the design convey a conception of beauty or a standard of perfection?
Designers and consumers are driven by their wants and needs. What are the wants or needs that this work fulfills?
What is the designer's primary worldview and creative motivation? How do they impact the design?

Paragraph Three: Evaluation

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words

In your topic sentence, briefly summarize whether or not you think the design was effective or successful, and why. Do this in one sentence.

For example: "Perfect in every detail and fun to use, the Macbook Pro revolutionized the way we think with computers.

Next, analyze your own reaction to the design and evaluate it's effectiveness in more detail. Explain why, or why not, you think the design is successful. Support your key points with specific observations from the design you selected.

It may be helpful to consider some of these factors:

Again, you don't need to answer all these questions. They are here to get you thinking.

What initial ideas or feelings come to mind after experiencing the design?
Based on your life experiences, is the design personally relevant to you? Does it impact your life or your way of thinking?
Does it express ideals that are important or valued within your community or culture? To you?
What is it about the work of art that you like the most? The big idea? The way it was designed or executed?
Do you think your experience of the design is the same as what the designer intended?

Each post is worth 10 possible points (20 points total)

Next, review the posts of your classmates. Post a thorough and cogent response to a post by two different classmates (at least 100 words each). Add a new insight to the discussion that helps the reader better understand the work of art. To do this consider the following:

Do you agree with your classmate's analysis and evaluation? Why or why not?
Did they leave out something important? If you think so, introduce this to the discussion.
Did you find something interesting in the post, but you don't fully understand? Politely ask them to clarify for you.

Grading

This Discussion topic is broadly framed and there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, you will be graded on how well you demonstrate your ability to think clearly about this topic and logically support your ideas with concepts from the readings, online sources, and your own observations, ideas and insights.

Before you submit your posts, take a little more time to proofread and revise your work to make sure that what you write actually conveys what you intend to say. Your posts must be clearly-written, well-supported, grammatically correct, and free of spelling and punctuation errors. This is a college level assignment!

Please review the Grading Rubric before you begin. You can view the Grading Rubric by clicking the three dots in the upper right of this page, then click "Show Rubric." Here are more instructions for viewing the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.).

Earn a High Grade

Before you begin, read all of the instructions, as well as the rubric.
Include key ideas contained in the links provided on this page.
Start with an outline and organize your main points into separate topical paragraphs.
Write concise and clear sentences that clearly convey what you intend to say.
Write in third person, present tense, as much as possible.
Support your statements with careful observations about the design.
Include your own insights that support your main points.