The project sheet for the Form Translation project from my Making Meaning class

1. Making Meaning
Fall 2019
Assignment 01
Form Translation
Formfollows
function—
thathasbeen
misunder-
stood.Form
and function
shouldbe
one,joined
inaspiritual
union.
— Frank Lloyd Wright
Complete information about
assignments and upload points
can always be found on the
Canvas class website.
FormTranslation
Select 3 hand-held tools or objects (other than a can opener) that you can easily carry, something with
sufficient detail so that you will be able to depict your object in diverse ways. When selecting, consider the
following 2 criteria: first, the function of your objects should involve movement; second, your object must have
a sufficient level of detail. For instance, a pencil does not offer significant formal qualities to sustain a broadly
divergent examination of its form (even though it does have a function involving movement).
Bring your 3 objects to class; we’ll discuss their merits/potential, and you will select one to work with for the
project. In class you will work to photograph your object so that we are able to clearly “read” and understand
it. These images will reside at the denotative end of representation. Your photographs should demonstrate
effective lighting, background, etc. The object should be clear and in focus.
From your numerous photographs you will choose one to use as a ‘model’ for translation into high contrast
black and white illustrations. Your final photograph will be Version 01. Your B/W illustrations must be execut-
ed using Adobe Illustrator and must employ a highly stylized formal language (reread ‘representational style’
in your text & note figures 2.4A–C, pp 42–43). Your object illustrations will be Version 02 and Version 03.
For the final you will submit 3 images; your image format (size) must be a 6" square. All 3 are to be mounted on
a single black board 24" x 10"; 2" borders around the outside ; 1" between the images.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a deeper understanding of denotative versus connotative meaning/s.
- Demonstrate an understanding of qualities that constitute visual language.
- Further expand your capacity to see, to carefully examine, considering both form and function.
- Further develop your ability to use appropriate software with confidence.
- Practice divergence / convergence through an iterative design process.
- Demonstrate your ability to follow directions with attention to detail and self-directed behavior.
- Produce a professional mounted presentation according to prescribed guidelines.
Step One: Research / DUE: Tuesday 3 September
Select 3 potential objects, bring to class for discussion on how well they satisfy the criteria; begin photograph-
ing and choose the strongest for translation; the final selected photograph is your Version 01.
Step Two: Contextualize, Execute and Reflect / DUE: Thursday 5 September
Using your photo as a guide, make drawings with a blunt (i.e. fat) black sharpie on tracing paper or translucent
marker paper. Create iterative sketches that explore abstracting the photographed form. How much can you
delete and still read the form? How much detail is needed for visual interest? Include both shape and line in
your abstraction. Consider line weight. Select the most successful sketches to refine further. Develop precise
drawings approximately 6" square. With feedback from class, select one drawing to produce as a vector illus-
tration.
Step Three: Contextualize, Write, Execute and Reflect / DUE: Tuesday 10 September
Scan this drawing. Use Adobe Illustrator to refine and produce a vector illustration (do not be tempted by the
evil Illustrator “Image Trace”—that way lies the road to perdition); this will be Version 02. While this image will
strongly resemble your object, it has moved toward the connotative end of representation. This is not a photo
realistic drawing.
Step Four: Contextualize, Write, Execute and Reflect / DUE: Thursday 12 September
Final project: 3 iterations based on your final image combined with text to suggest 3 different messages
Consider the function of your object and create an image that visually suggests the movement and function of
your object. Follow the same iterative sketching process, create a vector illustration based on abstracting func-
tion. This image will be connotative as a representation and will be your Version 03. Version 02 and Version 03
should share a consistent visual language / vocabulary (line weights, shapes, rhythm, etc) i.e. they should look
as if they are meant to be together.
Criteria:
- format is 6.5 x 9 inches centered on 8.5 x 11 inch paper / horizontal or vertical
- black hairline rule outlines image area
- one original image / 3 distinct versions with different text and detailing
Reflect:
- write a brief (one page max; half page minimum) reflective paper on this assignment.