Classes
DSGN 4101 Home Page- Mon, Jan 10: Intro
- Mon, Jan 17: Class 2
- Mon, Jan 24: Class 3
- Mon, Jan 31: Class 4
- Mon, Feb 07: Class 5
- Mon, Feb 14: Class 6
- Feb 21: No class (Feb break)
- Mon, Feb 28: Class 7
- Mon, Mar 07: Class 8
- Mon, Mar 14: Class 9
- Mon, Mar 21: Class 10
- Mon, Mar 28: Class 11
- Mon, Apr 04: Class 12
- Mon, Apr 11: Class 13
- April 18: No class (holiday)
- Mon, Apr 25: Class 14
Mon, Mar 28
DSGN 4101: Concept development
Today's objectives
- Theme review
- Objectives
- Interpretive focus
- Concepts
- Achieving interpretative aims
- Put amenities in the background (for now)
- Don't be constrained
- Class discussion assignment marks
- Quiz
- Schedule
- Concept development
- Review resources - web site, Padlet precedent, lectures and presentations
- Aim high - look at the best for inspiration
- A good concept can always be implemented in multiple ways
Presentations
Agenda
Theme to concept
Resources
Readings
- Influential exhibits Required reading
- SEGD's review of the most influential exhibits of the the century.
- Can interpretive graphics influence visitor behavior in an exhibit space? Required reading
- Research-based evaluation of the role of design in visitor behaviour.
- Outdoor Interpretive Panels Required reading
- A straightforward guide for non-designers, covers the basics of planning and designing.
Resources
Project management software
There are many project management tools out there. Some (Like MS Project and OmniPlan) stick closely to formal project management methodologies.
Others emphasize the communication aspect of working in teams, rather than formal project management methodologies.
Tools range in complexity - some are best suited for full-time project managers working on large projects,others bet for simple planning and visualization.
If communication rather than formal project management techniques is the priority, a whole set of other online tools, such as Basecamp, Asana or Trello might be more suitable, especially for remote teams working on digital projects.
- Excel
- Yes, you can use Excel (or Numbers, or Google Sheets) to do basic project management, and create Gantt charts, but it's awkward and labour-intensive. You can even use tools like InDesign tables to create simple timelines, but updating them is far too much work.
- Microsoft Project
- Powerful, but needs time to learn and expensive ($800-1600 depending on version) although student discounts are available. No Mac version of the desktop MS Plan is available.A simplified onliune version (Project Plan) which runs in your browser is available startuing at $10/month. Basic training in formal project management is pretty much required to be able to make use of many of the advanced features.
- OmniPlan
- A Mac-only project management app with lots of features and power, similar to MS project in many ways. $200-$400 US. Similar to MS projectBasic training in formal project management is pretty much required to be able to make use of many of the advanced features. This is what I have used for years; I still don't really love it.
- TeamGantt
- Open source Gantt-chart maker. Free, no strings attached, but like a lot of open-source software, ugly and the interface is unpolished.
Business books for designers
- Talent Is Not Enough: Business Secrets For Designers
- A comprehensive book on running a design business. US-focussed, so some legal and regulatory content may not be relevant, but easily supplemented with Canadian sources for advice on taxes, laws, etc.
- The Strategic Designer: Tools & Techniques for Managing the Design Process
- A more theoretical, process-based look at how to successfully solve design problems, and build better relationships with clients.
- AIGA Professional Practices in Graphic Design
- A solid book on how to run a profitable, ethical design business, although very much US-centric.
- The Brand Gap
- A primer on branding - real branding, not visual identity - either for yourself or others. Borrow a copy from somewhere if you can - it's about a 30 min read, with a lot of graphics for filler.