Graphic Design 2.1: Professional Practice, Project 2: ‘Principles of Branding’ Critical Review (Proposal)
Critical Review: Your Proposal
You should now start to think about your critical review. A Critical Review is a short academic essay. It can also include a bibliography and any appendices you wish to add. The critical review is a core component that you will work on throughout this unit and submit with your selection of creative work and other coursework for assessment. Starting the process now will allow you to develop your ideas, conduct the necessary research, and you’ll also have more opportunities for feedback from your tutor.
Your critical review is an opportunity for you to research, articulate, and visually represent your interests, passions, or opinions about a topic of your choice. The critical review can be submitted in one of two formats.
You can submit:
a 1,250 word written essay with visual references,
OR
a 10-minute presentation filmed speech or a screen recording with voice-over.
Start by mind-mapping all the possible topics for your critical review. Within each topic identify more specific aspects you might like to explore and any potential research questions you might like to ask. For instance, if you listed three contemporary graphic designers, is there an aspect of their work that links them and could that be something to write about?
It can be helpful to reflect on the exercises you have found most interesting so far in this, or any previous, unit – they may be the basis for further research and critical thinking. Your initial thoughts may be quite general at this stage. You will be supported to refine your topic and develop your writing.
To begin with, compile a list of ideas/questions/topics for your tutor to give you feedback on outlining:
Your initial ideas about the topic(s) you might want to research.
The questions you want to explore through your critical review.
Any books, links, or other reference materials that you feel will help to inform your ideas.
The critical review is an academic essay, as such it is expected that you follow academic writing guidelines.
Academic Writing
Academic writing is a style of writing used for essays, journals, books, and other academic material. It is designed to set out, and question, ideas and debate in structured, well researched, and evidenced ways. The use of conventions such as citation make it easier for the reader to see how your piece of academic writing connects to others. The tone of academic writing is usually formal.
How has fine art influenced graphic design?
Intersection of fine art and graphic design? Where’s the line drawn?
Influence of art movements on graphic design
Influence of street art/graffiti on graphic design
Influence of surrealism on graphic design
Influence of Dadism/post modernism on graphic design
Graphic design pre and post abstract expressionism
How has fine art influenced typography design?
How has post modernism influenced minimal design?
How has the work of Robert Rauschenberg/Andy Warhol influenced design?
How has aesthetics, composition, colour theory etc been affected by Cubism/Abstract Expressionism?
What are the roles of illustration in graphic design? (Narrative)
What are the impacts of technology on design?
How has modern technology influenced the designs we see today?
How has social media influenced design?
How will a future design world look?
How will AI effect design?
Influences of AI to graphic design and it’s future landscape
How have mobile phones influenced graphic design?
How has the internet democratised graphic design?
What are the impacts of printing technology to design?
How have design programmes effected typography design?
What influence has design software had on graphic design?
Tactile design methods vs digital
What are the down sides to a more ‘hands on’/ physical approach to graphic design e.g illustration
How has Adobe democratised graphic design?
How has easy access to design software affected design?
How has access to design software affected design aesthetics? Similar designs, lazy design etc.
What are the impacts of AI on design software?
