COMMUNICATION MODELS 1 :: project overview

What we say and what is heard depends on a range of factors (from technology obstructions to cultural encoding). As designers we must develop a high sensitivity to the messages we create and the way in which these messages are received by the intended audience, so we can adapt the conversation accordingly.

This project will explore theories about how the communications process works as well as apply and test out that process through peer-to-peer "visual conversations". As partners, you'll design three rounds of messages that will be sent, received, interpreted, and responded-to for feedback.

Over the course of this project each student will produce:

1. a clear & detailed infographic (in print or in motion) that visualizes your understanding of the communication model/theory and elucidates the project's phases
2. three postcards
3. thorough & constructive written feedback on your blogs
4. process documentation

Objectives:

1. visualize your understanding of and document your experience of communication models/theories
2. visually craft messages and responses (as practical application of communication theory)
3. conduct real-time dialogue about your intentions and interpretations
4. professionally documented project stages, improved layout, writing and treatment of content

Each project phase increases in complexity. You will start with limited channels and a singlular message that will subsequently build into a more layered conversation.



schedule
day 1: assignment
day 2: "object" postcard due, in-class interpret/reflect post, workday
day 3: "output" postcard due, in-class interpret/reflect post, workday
day 4: "context" postcard due, in-class interpret/reflect post, communication model lecture, assign infographic
day 5: infographic progress crit
day 6: infographic progress crit
day 7: final crit postcards & infographic, process document due