OUGD501 Task 3 - Establishing a research question

Mind map

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

Is print becoming obsolete?
I'd like to base my essay around print because of my passion towards 
the practice - I would like to be involved in print in the future in my
career.

Which Of The Module Resources Does This Question Relate To?
You can find these on eStudio - Try to list at least three.

Printmaking in the 21st Century (V&A)
Adamson, G. (2009) The craft reader. Oxford: Berg. p.341-353
Jury, D. (2009) Letterpress: The allure of the handmade. Hove: Rotovision. Sections 5.1/5.2
Risatti, H. (2009) A Theory of craft: Function and aesthetic expression. London: APS Ltd. Part III


Which Academic Sources Are Available On The Topic?
Include a Harvard Referenced bibliography of at least 5 sources.

1. Print is Dead - Jeff Gomez [book] Palgrave Macmillan, November 2009
2.  The modern magazine: Visual journalism in the digital era - Jeremy Lesile [book]
laurence king, september 2013
3. Out of Print: Newspapers, Journalism and the Business of News in the

Digital Age - George Bock [book] Kogan, September 2013

4. Looking Closer three - Micheal Beirut [book] Allworth Press, September 1999


How Could The Research Question Be Investigated Through Practice?
What Graphic Design would you make in response to this, and why?

2 Outcomes of both print and digital of the same piece/ or different to show

the differences between traditional print process and digital. What different
process' have to offer.

Peer Feedback – How could this topic be refined / developed?
Show this form to a fellow student. They should record their feedback in the box below

Focus on one type of print rather than all, you could talk about magazines
or printed collateral. - Hattie

OUGD501 Task 2 - Parody & Pastiche

Today we read two extracts of essays from Jameson and Hutcheon both touching on post-modernism in art. The texts were called, 'The Politics of Postmodernism: Parody & History' by Linda Hutcheon (1998) ; and 'Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism' by Fredric Jameson (1991) after looking at both excerpts I have given my response to how they have both written about the subjects parody and pastiche.

Definitions

Parody - an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.

Pastiche - an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period. - 'to imitate the style of (an artist or work)'

Marxist/ism - A system of economic, social, and political philosophy based on ideas that view social change in terms of economic factors. A central tenet is that the means of production is the economic base that influences or determines the political life.

How does parody/pastiche relate to postmodernism? 

‘Postmodernism signals its contradictory dependence upon and independence from the modernism that both historically preceded it and literally made it possible’

What is parody/pastiche according to the authors?

Typically Postmodernism's main theories are in its own production and response, also its relation to parodic value in art. Hutcheon states that this is the definition of parody and that seemingly it is an reclusive idea of formalism, thus bringing a direct dispute with the problem toward the relation of visual aesthetics in self evaluative way,  meandering to a socially defined world which categorises ideology.

To Jameson Pastiche is similarly like parody, the impersonating of a unique and distinctive style, like wearing a another personality. Pastiche and parody although similar have different values and needs, the difference between the two needs to be clear and illustrious, Jameson discusses how parody has a false nature of appearance whereas pastiche is more genuine?

How does Jameson’s tone of voice differ to Hutcheon’s?
Jameson’s style is really condensed and full he changes from topic to topic quicker than Hutcheon’s approach to writing. Jamesons approach is pessimistic and negative and has overly critical features with such as ‘Speech in a dead language’ indicating his attitude to the subjects discussed.

Hutcheon has a more positive approach to the themes discussed but contradictingly she has a negative view and opinion about Marxist's discussions in Jamesons essay. Linda has discussed her opinions in relation to art and cultural settings but has chose to also touch on architecture within her essay.

How does this relate to graphic design?
Postmodernism in graphic design is shown by the repeating and recylcline of styles. Earlier work of postmodernism still has influence of morderninst principles suggesting the use of pastiche, in this parody is not relevant but could be applied in other developments of the movement.

Conclusion
In conclusion Jameson's essay suggest his opinion is different from the dictionary definition. He is influenced by his Marxist principles, making him have a clear view of negativity towards pastiche.

Hutcheon contrasts Jameoson's opinion having a very different view on pastiche. ' Pastiche is often viewed as being a more neutral, blank form of parody Hutcheon rejects Jamesons ideas on pastiche by calling it a 'blank form of parody'.

They both argue about the place of parody and speech and because the two have different opinions tit can be seen as either or, parody and pastiche therefore can be take in as in opinion rather than fact.

OUGD501 Study Task 1 , Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes The death of the author.

What is my understanding of Roland Barthes excerpt?

Barthes talks about a number of touching subjects relevant to
the current affairs of 1967, at this period revolution was on the
horizon. Barthes writes "Who is speaking thus? Is it the hero of
the story bent on remaining ignorant of the castrato hidden
beneath the woman? Is it Balzac the individual, furnished by his
personal experience with a philosophy of Woman? Is it Balzac the
author professing 'literary' ideas on femininity? Is it universal wisdom?
Romantic psychology? We shall never know, for the good reason
that writing is the destruction of every voice, of every point of origin."
In my opinion Barthes is trying to express that as the reader we are
not using our voice in a sense a hierarchy is applied and we the
readers are not close to the top of the chain, not only are we exposed
to ranking we are left trying to create a meaning to something that
we cannot, as we are not the author how could we possibly understand
the authors approach and knowledge at the point of writing this leaves
to suggest their is typically no central meaning to any piece of writing
as different people will create different meanings.

Bathes also writes "The author is a modern figure, a product of our
society " By this I believe that Barthes is again touching on a class
and hierachy system by saying that "The author.. a product of our
society" suggests that we as the reader chooses success and wether
the author deserves our companionship, by choosing who is successful
and unsuccessful we are as the reader becoming subjective rather
than merely objective determining the career of another person, we
are also therefore influenced by the authors egotistical knowledge
and views if we decide someone is therefore the genius we will
absorb anything be it lies or truth that they feed to us these in turn
could become factual when in reality myth.

An example of Barthes theories of hierarchy in Graphic Design would
be Massimo Vignelli, Vignelli at first glance is a very renowned graphic
designer and is thoroughly appreciated by students and designers, when
taking a second glance into Vignelli it is clear that Barthes principal of
genius is applied an example of this is Vignelli's rules, Vignelli's has a set
of rules of which he believes is the only way to design and by not
complying with his rules you are therefore an unworthy designer this can
be seen as egotistical as who is he to say what something that should be
objective is subjective,Vignelli is a biproduct of social and political heirachy
which in effect is created by us.