Graduate Graphic Design
GGD Thesis Proposal Guidelines
The Thesis
All Graphic Design M.F.A. students develop an original body of work, culminating in a final
exhibition accompanied by a written component.
Students will synthesize the knowledge and experience they have acquired throughout
the graduate program by:
• Comprehensively and independently research a specific topic related
to the field of graphic design (print, electronic media, interactive design, information
design, wayfinding, environmental graphics)
• Integrate their research discoveries into an academic project that contributes
in a new, meaningful way to the field of graphic design
• Conceptualize, design, and produce a visual project in support of the research
• Evaluate and summarize the research process, user testing, and results
in a written document.
Choosing an Appropriate Thesis Topic
Defining a thesis topic requires an in-depth view of the field of computer graphics design
and of the candidate’s personal design or creative interests. Many MFA candidates begin
this process with thoughts like,
"Hmm... I'm very interested in typography and motion graphics. I'll develop
a thesis project that consists of a series of typographic studies in motion
that illustrates the development of typography since the invention of
Gutenburg's movable type."
While this might well be a worthwhile endeavor for personal study and growth, it is not an
appropriate thesis topic. The culmination of a project with this goal would be a research
paper/presentation in which what has already been said and done is simply being
repeated. The thesis should add or contribute to the field of graphic design, not merely
reflect knowledge and mastery of the subject.
How can you contribute? The Graphic Design M.F.A. thesis is a marriage of acquired
knowledge of the candidates’ course of study and the candidate’s personal interests and
passions for a specific area concentration within this diverse field.
For example: A passion for typography, motion graphics, semiotic theory,
environmental issues or politics could lead to a thesis that adds to the current
body of knowledge while simultaneously leaving the candidates personal
mark on the field of motion graphics.
This is the goal of the Graphic Design M.F.A. thesis. While technique and form are critical
concerns in the development of the thesis topic, they should not be the driving forces. If a
candidate has an interest in a particular form; for instance Information Design, the defining
of their thesis topic should consider how the form can be explored in a new and
meaningful way. In the process of defining a thesis topic, candidates are encouraged to
question and explore the roots of their creative interests to determine an appropriate
direction for the thesis investigation; asking first and foremost, how will my research and
outcomes contribute in a meaningful way to the current body of knowledge?
Graphic Design | Thesis Proposal Guidelines updated by Professor Chris Jackson/Nancy Ciolek August 2010 Forming a Solid Thesis
No matter what kind of project you design and develop, its success or failure is dependent
on the quality of your thesis. You have to be able to persuade your readers that your
research is interesting, that your argument is sound and can be proven, and that you have
a solid working foundation relating to the design approach. Proving your statement is
as important as the structure itself. To those ends, there are several tips and techniques
which can help you.
To begin with, it is important to consider what a thesis truly is. A thesis statement is meant to
tell your reader exactly how you will discuss, design your project, and prove the importance
of your subject. In fact, it is a map for the entire thesis project. It will tell your readers exactly
what they can expect to find in the body of your thesis proposal.
Your thesis needs to show up in at least two places. It must show up in the introduction to
your proposal – where it is generally a single sentence – and then it must be rephrased in
the conclusion of your proposal. You do not have to repeat it in the body of your paper,
because that is where you set about proving your statement.
It is incredibly important that you sit down and think about your thesis statement. In fact,
you should start the research process while you are still thinking about your thesis. That way,
you can begin by looking up possible sources, so that you will know if there is enough
reputable information out there to back up your argument. Do not ever choose an easy
thesis statement. Do not choose something that someone else has already proven
effectively. If you have a new, innovative twist to put on that topic, it could make for a very
intriguing statement. It is all about choices; you simply need to make sure that yours are
strong.
Writing a Solid Thesis Statement
With few exceptions, your thesis statement is the core of your paper. The success of your
proposal is dependent on a solid, strong argument.
The first step in writing a concise thesis statement is understanding what kind of thesis
project you are going to be designing. The most common method is to begin with an
analysis, wherein you break down and discuss an idea or argument, into its separate parts.
After that, you evaluate it and then present the breakdown and argument to the readers.
In theory, it can also represent an opinion.
It is vitally important that your thesis be specific. It cannot be vague, because vagueness
cannot prove or refute a point. A vague thesis simply looks fickle and wishy-washy. It will
suggest to your reader that you did not put in the time and effort necessary to form and
then justify a quality argument. You will likely end up with no usable or meaningful
conclusion, ultimately to the detriment of your thesis project.
Structurally speaking and in terms of format, your thesis statement belongs in your first
paragraph. Generally, it is placed towards the end because then it can flow right into the
body of the proposal, where you will begin presenting the facts and sources that support
your thesis.
Contextually speaking, your thesis does actually need to be a statement. You are not
asking a question, you intend to prove a point or an argument. By asking a question in
your statement, you are conveying a sense of uncertainty to the reader. You are, in fact,
implying quite clearly that you want your readers to answer the question, which further
implies that either you have no intention of doing so or simply were not able to do so. Either
way, your thesis project will suffer for it. To that end, you constantly need to keep reading
Graphic Design | Thesis Proposal Guidelines updated by Professor Chris Jackson/Nancy Ciolek August 2010 back over your proposal as you are writing it, in order to ensure that the body of your paper
and its content are upholding the statements posed by your thesis.
It is also important to remember that no thesis statement is set in stone. What that basically
means is that you need to realize that a lot can change during the research, designing, and
developing processes. If you find that either of these things causes your statement to
change and you are not certain how to rephrase it appropriately, do not
be afraid to seek help from your thesis committee.
The Thesis Proposal Structure
1.
2.
3.
4.
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12.
Title Page
Situation Analysis
Problem Statement
Survey of Literature
Design Ideation
Methodological Design
Implementation Strategies
Dissemination
Evaluation Plan
Pragmatic Considerations
Timeline
Bibliography
Situation Analysis
• What is the general topic area of interest? Brief history for context?
• Why this topic is relevant/important (how important to the field of computer
graphics design, to the broader community, etc.)
• What is the specific scope of your research interest(s)?
Problem Statement
• Indentify and communicate your understanding of the problem you are solving.
• What specifically are you trying to solve using computer graphics design?
• What specifically are you trying to prove? What is your argument?
• How will your thesis add or contribute to the field of computer graphics design?
Survey of Literature
•
•
•
•
•
Describe existing projects, case studies, models that have a meaningful relationship
to your research and thesis topic.
The survey should be a well-organized overview of the research most
closely related to your topic, and the design and technical aspects.
This might likely include theoretical approaches and methodological
research designs that have been used to understand your topic
The survey should be complete and substantiate your work is original
The survey must demonstrate two things:
o You are familiar with the research that has been done in this
area and can explain to fellow designers who might not be
familiar with this specific topic, what is out there
o Your thesis will fill a gap… something that has not been well
researched utilizing a methodological design
Design Ideation
• Describe/illustrate conceptual solutions of preliminary ideas and designs
• Address visual design components that are relevant and reinforce your thesis:
Color, Shape, Lines, Texture, Form and Perspective, Typography.
Graphic Design | Thesis Proposal Guidelines updated by Professor Chris Jackson/Nancy Ciolek August 2010 •
•
Clearly outline what is the design component of your thesis. Provide
sketches, storyboards, animatics, GUI wireframes to effectively
communicate your visual and/or narrative approach
Visually illustrate how you plan to organize the content of your thesis:
design mind maps, organizational and process flowcharts, etc.
Methodological Design
• Specifically describe the methodological approach? What is the project
going to be: interactive, print, motion graphics, 3D or a combination? Who is
the target audience? Anticipated hardware/software components?
• If print, define format of delivery. How will it be viewed/installed? What is the output
and how many?
• If interactive, define how will it function. How will you provide user navigation,
orientation, and feedback? How much and what types of interactivity?
• If animated, define how long is it going to be? How many animations?
What are the dimensions of the compositions? Delivery – Web or broadcast?
• If 3D, how many models? What modeling techniques? What type of shading?
How will lighting be used? What is the output and how many? Prints? QuickTime?
• If using a narrative component, what is the plot? How many characters? What
happens at the beginning, middle, and resolution?
Implementation Strategies
• Define how you plan to implement, or build, your thesis project to its final stage.
• You must demonstrate the following:
o You have the technical foundation to design and develop
your thesis project.
o The project’s breadth and scope is beyond a typical
course assignment.
o You have a strategy in place to address any design or
technical aspects that you need to develop more.
o Provide a contingent, or backup, plan to keep your project on track
Dissemination
• How will you deliver/distribute your thesis for future audience interaction?
• Include plans for submission to competitions, conferences, publication, etc?
Evaluation Plan
• What type of usability testing is going to be implemented?
Questionnaires? Online surveys?
• Will your analysis of the feedback be qualitative, quantitative or both?
• How will you implement the feedback given?
• Address how you will assess the final project to determine strengths
and areas for improvements.
Pragmatic Considerations
•
What is the budget for your expenses and time?
Timeline
• What will be the duration (time-frame) of your research, design,
implementation, evaluation, and documentation?
Bibliography
• List only those authors included in your survey of literature
and referenced in the proposal.
Graphic Design | Thesis Proposal Guidelines updated by Professor Chris Jackson/Nancy Ciolek August 2010 Defending Your Thesis Proposal
All Graphic Design M.F.A. thesis candidates make a formal defense of his/her thesis proposal
once it has been approved by the candidate’s thesis committee. The following table
offers suggestions on what to present in the defense.
Table 1.0 – What To Present at Your Proposal Defense in GGD
Graphic Design
Interactive Design
Organizational Flowchart
that illustrates the information
architecture of the thesis project
Organizational Flowchart
that illustrates the information
architecture of the thesis project
Process Flowchart that outlines
the design of the applied project
Process Flowchart that outlines
the user navigation, orientation,
and feedback
Process sketching that includes
design ideation; mind-mapping,
concept development, and layout
of proposed solutions
Wireframes that clearly define the
graphical user interface
Completed prototype of project
Coding examples/prototypes that
showcase your technical skills in
implementing your thesis project
Graphic Design | Thesis Proposal Guidelines updated by Professor Chris Jackson/Nancy Ciolek August 2010