DESN-110 Foundation Design History
Spring Semester 2018
Writing Assignment #1: (Opinion Paper)
“Design in Cultures and Societies”
Critique of a Research Designed Object or Space (1000‐1250 Words)
Due Date: Sunday. March 25, 2017 (Uploaded to Beachboard Dropbox)
Project Value: 15% of Final Grade
Description:
This is an assignment to practice analyzing and evaluating historical products or spaces. It will be used to
assess the student’s writing and critical thinking skills.
Through the lectures, you will receive a broad exposure to many design epochs, styles, movements and
personalities in the design of architecture, interiors, furniture, objects and applied arts. Comparisons
and contrasts across these epochs and movements will also be discussed.
The student should choose an object, space, or design trend of a specific era, research its history, and
evaluate its impact upon the culture and/or society of the time.
Stated Goals and Skills for this project:
The overall goal of this assignment is to develop skills that will enable you to consider more carefully the
complex issues that surround the design fields:
to possesses a foundation to evaluate how works were designed, built and/or improved.
to possesses a fundamental knowledge and history of various design disciplines.
to possesses the ability to communicate concepts to others.
Starting early and discussing the proposed subject matter with the instructor, can provide helpful
feedback and resources for the final submittal.
Assignment Guide:
Students are required to research an object, space, or trend selected from a design field of personal
interest, to determine the its historical background and evaluate influences that determined the final
solution.
Research Process:
Select a field of design which interests you ‐ in the context of a historical culture or
society.
Choose one (1) topic within the design field selected (i.e.‐ Furniture Design). From
textbooks, articles, lectures, or independent research, write your understanding and
opinion on the subject.
Develop a preliminary draft of your thoughts. Bring up questions either in class or during
instructor’s office hours.
The paper should be written as a “design critique” expressing your views on the topic
selected. Submit the paper in MLA format, but express yourself as if it were a magazine
article, a blog or design journal.
Some examples of questions that can be formulated:
Analyze the architecture of religious buildings. What do the differing types of structures found
reveal about the culture and/or society? How does the architecture express the belief system?
Compare, and/or contrast, the society’s attitude toward high‐end vs. utilitarian designs. How do
these attitudes impact on the final solution of products, interiors, or buildings?
Analyze the development of household furniture at a particular time of history. Critique the
design in terms of construction, style and expression.
Discuss what impacts contemporary ornamentation? What makes the design unique in its time
and why is it significant within its culture and/or society?
Resources:
A. Use bibliographies that deal with the specific example chosen.
B. Use outside sources for reference and cite them appropriately.
Tasks:
1. Analyze the subject matter under study and make strong arguments for your critique.
2. Use a minimum of three (3) reference sources (at least two sources from published books or
articles).
3. Cite all references on the research done:
a) to establish the argument, and
b) to support your stated opinions.
Guidelines for written content of student’s written report:
The length of the assignment shall be 1000‐1250 words, 3 to 4 pages (additional pages should be added
for examples ‐ images and/or graphics).
I. The report needs to include the following:
i. An introduction (a statement of intent) on the selected topic.
ii. Analysis of the topic, demonstrating the student’s critical thinking on the subject.
iii. A strong “thought‐out” conclusion to your observations and opinions.
iv. Run a spell check of the document before submitting and check for grammar.
v. Proper formatting of quoted and cited material, as well as, for images used. You may use
http://www.easybib.com/, other online reference formatter, or the sample MLA format
provided on Beachboard with this assignment guide.
II. The report will be graded on its composition, as well as, its content.
III. An electronic file of the assignment is due by Sunday, March 25, 2017 @ 12:00 am (midnight)
submitted into the corresponding Dropbox for Originality Assessment. Assignments submitted after
the due date will be accepted but assessed at a lower grade. Papers must be submitted in .pdf format
ONLY.
