Description
A continuation of Graduate Graphic Design 1, emphasizing the thesis-an advanced and extensive individual project proposed by the student in consultation with the graphic design faculty. The thesis project is explored in depth and presented in a major exhibit at the end of the second year. Independent contact with faculty members is stressed.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop and clearly communicate your unique voice as a graphic designer
- Gain proficiency in initiating, developing, and completing self-directed projects
- Take on new challenges to expand current design practices
Courseware
Please check the class website and Basecamp regularly. The class website will be used for sign-ups and uploading course materials, while Basecamp will be used for group communication. We will be using Are.na as the main tool for sharing insightful resources.
Project Submission
All projects should be uploaded to the class Google Drive by the date specified in the class schedule. Files uploaded after this date will be rejected for your semester grade.
Grading
You will receive one-semester grade (A—F) according to the following metric:
- Thesis Research :
develop a personal voice and refine ideas, clarity of topics and contents
- Depth & Breadth :
in-depth research, exploration, curiosity, and experimentation
- Class Participation & Contribution :
actively participate and contribute in class
Disability Statement
Students who have self-identified, provided documentation of their disability, and requested reasonable accommodations may be entitled to receive approved modifications in the classroom, appropriate academic adjustments, or auxiliary aids that enable them to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and activities. Please see http://www.bu.edu/disability for more details.
Attendance & Absences
Please make every effort to arrive punctually. You must attend all the classes. According to the SVA Attendance Policy, unless specific permission for absence is arranged with the instructor of this course, students must attend class to receive credit for the course. Unexcused absences exceeding 1/4 of the total class hours in a given semester are considered excessive in all SVA courses. Tardiness and any unexcused absences will reduce your course grade. Three unexcused absences will reduce your semester grade by one step (e.g. A- to B+). Seven unexcused absences will earn you a failing grade for the course.
Wellness and Health
Your health and well-being are important for your journey as a professional graphic designer. It is important to work hard and balance that with rest, self-care, and attention to your mental and physical health. I will challenge you in this class through assignments, activities, and discussions. However, the work in this class should not be at the expense of your well-being. If for any reason you are struggling to find balance in your work life and health/wellbeing, please reach out. I am happy to discuss ways in which this class can support you in your learning and growth. You can find more resources provided by BU CFA Mental Health & Wellness Resources.
Virtual Critic Groups
This semester, you’ll be split into four groups, each meeting with a virtual critic four times outside of class. I’m excited to introduce our virtual critics—Chen Luo, Jaylen Wang, Ryan Diaz, and Zach Scheinfeld—who are all distinguished graphic designers and professors from other universities. They’re here to offer fresh perspectives and guidance on your thesis journey, giving you a great chance to get meaningful feedback beyond class time. Meetings can be one-on-one or in small groups, with about 10 to 15 minutes per person recommended.
Project ➊: Railless Train
Railless Train is designed to cultivate a supportive space for exploration, helping students better understand themselves while becoming familiar with self-initiated projects. To create work that closely demonstrates our current thinking and philosophy of design, we build our own project prompts. Sometimes by following these tracks, and other times by venturing away from them, we create work that moves between intention and exploration, fostering outcomes that are both self-directed and unexpected. Writing exercises and class activities are included to support the creative process.
Project ➋: Inquiry & Response
The foundation of a graphic design thesis begins with the articulation of one’s own questions. What motivates your engagement in design, and what lines of inquiry do you aim to explore through this practice? In Inquiry & Response, we will explore these questions, gradually narrowing them down and refining them to build the basis of your thesis. Through paired interviews, your questions will be expanded and contextualized, culminating in a public presentation. After this presentation, you will begin seeking answers to your central questions, developing your first responses in the form of a project.
Project ❸: Docking Point
Docking Point is a stage for consolidating the ideas and creations developed so far in preparation for the thesis. At this point, you will write an abstract and assemble an Exploration Catalog that includes your abstract, taxonomy & methods, and projects related to your thesis. The catalog format is open—you may choose a book, website, video, or any other medium that clearly communicates both content and narrative. You are encouraged to select the medium that best reflects the concept and direction of your work. Importantly, Docking Point is not a culmination, but a step toward the thesis. The Exploration Catalog should present your current thinking with clarity and precision, while leaving room for ongoing exploration rather than offering a closed conclusion.