The aim of the assignments is to supplement the learners’ understanding by trying to study and develop insights about the various dimensions of design. The focus on South Asian region supplements the overall theme of the course which is global in nature. Thus the three assignments help the learners to apply the ways of thinking to their assignments as well as develop their skills in comprehending design more broadly through specific instances. The three assignments are interlinked together to support a more holistic understanding of the present, past and possible future of the designed entity. The first assignment addresses the current status of the artifact/brand/craft and the students are helped by the instructor to develop the entity from a broader sense of its social, cultural, institutional, and political, among many other dimensions. The student makes an information poster (by hand) for reporting their understanding. In the second assignment, the same artifact/brand/craft from assignment 1 is depicted using styling/motifs from a different era/ culture/ geographical region. The instructor helps the students by prompting and helping in narrowing down the region/style/era for the new assignment 2. For example, an artifact such as Mysore Sandal Soap could be depicted drawing from motifs and advertisements from early 1900s Japan. This juxtaposition enables the student to comprehend the new culture/era/geographical region in assignment 2 as well as revisit the entity from assignment 1 with a renewed understanding. Finally, the entity in assignment 1 is envisioned in a future 100 years from now. In this assignment, the learners try to imagine how the entity could be placed and developed in a future (utopian/dystopian/amongst others). Thus, the three assignments taken together develop the understanding of students about design in a broader sense and supplement the themes and insights from the lecture component of the course.
Assignment | Content |
Assignment 1 |
Assignment 1 (30% of grade): Make (by hand) an information poster to depict the technology and the information surrounding it. Use an A3 size cartridge sheet to show your work. Using Wikipedia and internet websites is not enough. Please also use information derived from the library/ museums etc. On the back of your submission, please add the list of references. Make it presentable so that you can add it in your portfolio. |
Assignment 2 |
Assignment 2 (30 % of grade): Make (by hand) a poster to depict the above aspect. Use an A3 size cartridge sheet. At the back of the paper identify the era in which the artifact was earlier selected and the era in which it was placed. Write 1 para describing your rationale for transformation. Make it presentable so that there is continuity with the previous ones and you can add it to your portfolio. |
Assignment 3 |
Assignment 3 (30 % of grade): Make (by hand) a poster to depict the above aspect. Use an A3 size cartridge sheet. At the back of the sheet write 1 para describing your rationale for transformation. Make it presentable so that there is continuity with the previous ones and you can add it to your portfolio. |
In-class discussion | 10% of grade. Students are expected to participate in class. |
Total | 30 + 30 + 30 + 10 = 100% |