INDEPENDENT PROJECT
Problem: Design and implement an ambitious independent project requiring a minimum
of 36 hours of work, in class and out, over a three-and-a-half-week period.
Objective: To provide a bridge between foundation and upper level course work and to
set up a project that requires students to manage their time well
Materials: Your choice
Strategy:
1. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and interests. What would you most like to
explore in this final month of the quarter?
2. Build on an existing strength or overcome a pervasive weakness.
3. Given the independent nature of the assignment, it is essential to choose an
assignment that is both challenging and engaging: Self-motivation is essential.
4. Write up a clear, concise proposal, describing the project.
5. Suggest questions to address.
6. Determining how the work can best be completed.
Here are two examples:
Jane's Proposal
VISUALIZING THE INVISIBLE MAN
Jane Doe, Thursday 2D Design, janedoe@niu.edu
Description: I plan to complete a series of five black-and-white drawings based on the concept of
invisibility as defined by Ralph l in Invisible Man. I will interpret his idea of invisibility using the
various design elements and drawing techniques I have learned this year, including forms of balance,
degrees of definition, contrast, and illusion of space. The first and last images will serve as a prologue
and, epilogue from the narrator’s point of view. The remaining three images will be designed to
express the points of view of the three major characters in the book.
Primary Concerns:
1. How many ways can I visually suggest invisible formal strategies, such as overlap and contrast?
2. How can gesture or color suggest invisibility on a more psychological levee
3. How can I show the power plays that are so closely related to the concept of invisibility in the
book?
4. How can I suggest the different kinds of invisibility: self-imposed, cultural, etc.
5. How big need the images be?
6. To what degree is representation needed?
7. Should the images work in any narrative way, or should each stand-alone?
Time Management:
3/19:
Proposal due.
3/26:
Scheduled meeting with four other students #1. Bring at least 12 thumbnail sketches and five
roughs dealing with poses, gestures, and lighting.
4/2:
Scheduled meeting four other students #2. Bring two completed drawings.
4/9:
Final team meeting. Assignment must be at least 3/4 done.
4/16:
Self-assignment due.
John's Proposal
JAVA VARIATIONS
John Doe, Tuesday 2D Design, jwdoe@yahoo.com
Description:
I plan to complete four 11" x 14" drawings using a cup of coffee as my subject. They
might include: (1) An analysis of the coffee itself: coffee beans, coffee plants, etc. (2)
An analysis of the coffee in the cup as seen from various views. (3) An analysis on
the situations in which coffee is used (might include drawing in Starbucks or similar
coffee shop). (4) An early morning coffee at a truck stop. At least fifteen thumbnail
sketches will precede each finished drawing.
Key Questions:
1. How can I learn what I need to know about coffee?
2. How much should I focus on the coffee itself
3. How much on its use?
3. What medium is best for this subject?
4. Should each drawing be able to stand alone, or should they be presented as a
group?
Time Management:
10/24:
Typed proposal due to instructor and meet with instructor.
10/ 31:
Proposal approved or modified.
Present the proposal to a team of four other students.
11/ 7:
Second team meeting.
Bring rough layouts for the four drawings and examples of research
11/ 14:
Third team meeting.
Bring thumbnails and one finished drawing.
11/ 21:
Final team meeting.
Bring thumbnails two more finished drawings.
11/28:
Completed assignment due.
Completed assignments will include the project and
Self-analysis for Assessment:
1. State how thorough the research—list all research, including library research as
well as visual research using rough sketches.
2. State why you believe each of the final drawings was inventive.
3. Explain why the image in the compositions were effectively.
4. Explain the nature of your contribution to the team and the team to the project.
5. How well did I meet my time management goals?
Beginning Work on the Project
1. The first week should be devoted to visual and library research. Getting off to a
good start is essential; a solid first week will help provide the necessary
momentum for subsequent weeks.
2. As the project develops, stick with your plan and timetable as much as possible—
but make adjustments when necessary to keep moving ahead. Continually
challenge yourself.
3. Make a substantial contribution to during team meeting. Take notes. The more
input you provide to others, the most likely they are to provide substantial input
to you.
4. Plan to complete the assignment two days before it is actually due. If you meet
this goal, you will have a couple of days to relax and reflect before the critique. If
any glitches occur (Hint: glitches always do occur!), you will have time to correct
them. Extensions on the due date will be offered only in cases of serious illness
or a major family crisis. You will not get an extension for a computer
malfunction or for running out of supplies, so manage your time well!
5. When the project is complete, write a one- or two-page commentary on what
actually happened.
For extra credit, combine your original proposal with the your commentary and post it on the display board.
or
If and when we build a class Web site, post your original proposal with the your commentary on the site.
Reading: Jason Chin Profile, Chapter 6
Timetable: 36 hours of work in class and out.
Instructor’s Notes:
This is a carefully structured basic design assignment that can provide you with a base of
essential information and help you establish the high standards required for college-level
work. The elements and principles of design that were presented separately can now be
integrated into a cohesive whole. Looking for a wider range of solutions can help you
refine your critical thinking while providing a bridge between foundation work and
increasingly independent upper-level work.