Project 2: Manifestos

^ The Xenofeminist Manifesto, Laboria Cuboniks

"[C]riticality within our own personal practice can be seen in how we reflect upon our methods in order to locate our voice and articulate our position; criticality with a community of practice or discipline can be about trying to challenge or change traditions or paradigms; and criticality can also be targeted towards other issues and ideas outside design altogether."

-Ramia Mazé

As new graphic designers, you have entered a relatively young discourse. Unlike architecture or art, our field is still articulating its principal concerns and the character of its critical landscape. For this reason, you have the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a community and discipline, but first you must recognize what exactly you value within the profession. What will be your manifesto!?

In this project, you will develop a manifesto projecting a personal stance on design for an audience of peer designers. You have full control over the content, its structure, and the final message. You should aim for a final visual execution that is meaningful to the overall whole (not just a style picked and applied). Show me what you believe in not only your words, but in your aesthetic as well!

Grading

Your grade for this project will make up 1/4 of your grade for the class. You will be evaluated based on your capacity to curate and present a set of thoughtfully designed visual studies grounded in a single subject, a well-articulated and meaningful statement, and a composition that showcases meticulous attention and professionalism in achieving the objective.

    • Part 1: Language
      1. In a 8.5" x 11" page, please write your first considered draft of your manifesto. Word choice, structure, cadence and pacing should all be carefully edited to reflect an identified tone of voice.
      2. The text should include the following:
        • at least 300 words articulate a personal position regarding graphic design
        • at least 2 quotes (either directly quoted or paraphrased) supporting your position.
        • a thoughtful selection of type — the document's type choice be legible and lend the document personality.
    • Part 2: Visual Manifesto
      1. Building on your text, you will develop a poster that includes your manifesto and embellishes on its themes typographically.
      2. Your final poster should be:
        • A1 Size (594 x 841 mm)
        • Primarily typographic; however, you can include imagery
        • In color (as appropriate to your message)
        • Printed on a thicker stock of paper.

Resources

Readings

Inspiration

    • Brand Manifesto Examples
    • 50+ Great Brand Manifesto Examples
      • Download your own a version the manifesto examples found on this site.
      • Link
    • 59 Thought Starters to Crack Your Big Idea
      • Sometimes all you need is just the right question to kick your idea back on track. This is less a guide and more just a litany of questions if you get stuck.
      • Link
    • 8 Types of Brand Manifestos
      • Always have a handy guide to the different genres of manifestos. When you’re sharing your purpose, advice, or inspiration, you’ll always have the secret close at hand.
      • Link
    • 7 Ways to End a Brand Manifesto
      • Need an exit strategy? This guide gives you a snapshot of all the different ways to make a clean exit. (When in doubt, just tell people what you want them to do.)
      • Link
    • 12 Tips for Crafting Brand Manifestos
      • Keep your hands sharp with this short list of writing techniques. You won’t use every one every time, but I’ve found it valuable to have all of them at the ready just in case.
      • Link
    • 8 Ways to Open a Brand Manifesto
      • Amazingly, this is the worst place to start. Far better to step back and pick a genre and structure first. But if you’ve got those in place, this guide can help you nail the first line.
      • Link

Writing Structure

    • The Z-Shape Manifesto
      • Perfect for making one point really well. Use this structure when you have a strong point of view and a lot of examples to back it up.
      • Link
    • The S-Shape Manifesto
      • The most common manifesto for establishing new ideas and big brand campaigns. Not great for setting a mood or celebrating something.
      • Link
    • The U-Shape Manifesto
      • My go-to structure for creating emotion. Great for pulling folks the depth of your problem, then lifting them up higher on the other side.
      • Link
    • The J-Shape Manifesto
      • A rare shape, but surprisingly effective at creating a mood. Can be used for new ideas, but requires a lot of craft to get right.
      • Link
    • The E-Shape Manifesto
      • Ideal for celebrating or creating a tribute to something. Make sure to focus on breadth. Go wide and far. Don’t tell a story.
      • Link

Rubric

EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD FAIR NEEDS IMPROVEMENT UNACCEPTABLE
CONCEPT Work demonstrates deep understanding of the project and ability to apply this understanding to outstanding visual and, if applicable, conceptual execution of the objectives. Strong understanding of the project goals and requirements. Student’s visual execution thoughtfully  fits the concept and objectives. Evident understanding of the project goals and requirements. Attempts have been made to explore visual execution and the idea is understandable, yet the piece needed more attention. Project met most, if not all of the minimum criteria. Needs improvement to exhibit fluency. Visual exploration is limited or incomplete and ideas are difficult to follow and/or too basic. Poor quality work that does not meet the project goal or objectives. Visual exploration is weak. Unsatisfactory. The work either does not evidence any of the project’s objects or has not been completed.
Objective 01:
To write a manifesto that clearly and effectively communicates a personal stance on design.
Objective 02:
To identify and successfully implement a relevant visual tone of voice.
CRAFT Excellent design craft:
No noticeable inconsistencies in form or execution. Surprising and effective craft choices in form.		 Strong design craft:
Negligible inconsistencies in form or execution. Effective craft choices in form.		 Solid, well-done work, could improve on the items noted in the Excellent list, in particular: better attention to detail, willingness to experiment without sacrificing quality. Does average work, fulfills the assignment. Feels rushed in execution or sloppy in attention to details.  No attention to detail, and barely qualifies as finished. Unsatisfactory. The work either does not hold together at all or has not been completed.
Objective 03:
To demonstrate care in the craftsmanship of a poster.
Objective 04:
To write with clarity and tone of voice in your manifesto.
Objective 05:
To effectively document the final outcome for your portfolio.
PROCESS Excellent, well-documented design process, ability to sketch and articulate ideas. A thoughtful and flexible honing of your project over the course. Thoughtful design process, ability to sketch and articulate ideas. A gradual honing of your project over the course. Solid, well-done work: could improve on the items noted in the Excellent list, in particular: more iteration and experimentation and willingness to articulate distinctive ideas. Limited iteration; student explores only a few other ideas, and they seem stubborn in their unwillingness to experiment. Singular solution that changes very little throughout the assignment. Unsatisfactory. No iteration or evidence of process.
Objective 06:
To annotate readings thoughtfully, participate in critique, and give and receive feedback
Objective 07:
To develop your manifesto from your first draft to your final poster. As a designer, your process should make your thinking visual.