Graphic Arguments with InDesign

COURSE: ARTHIST 276, CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

SEMESTER: SPRING 2018

INSTRUCTOR: CHRISTINA CRAWFORD

ASSIGNMENT IN BRIEF

Students submitted a 2,500-3,000-word research paper in lieu of a final exam. The format of the paper was an article-style, rather than term paper-style, laid out in InDesign. All images were embedded within the text of the paper in a relevant location and image sources cited. The emphasis in this assignment was on theory and design. Students needed to develop their central idea, or thesis, and present a clear explanation of it, argued in a consistent manner. An additional goal of this project was to encourage students to write to and through graphic materials, a skill they had practiced all semester. An architectural drawing is more than mere illustration, it is evidence that makes an argument; students were to capitalize on the figures in their paper with this in mind, such as by scanning key images as they researched and considering crafting their own diagrams and overlays to underscore their points. A synergistic combination of text, images, and diagrams assisted students to describe and analyze their projects in tandem.

FULL DESCRIPTION

• 2019 final research paper assignment
• InDesign workshop instructions

SPACES/TECHNOLOGY USED

• MediaLab
• Adobe InDesign

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Learn how to analyze, present, and write about issues related to architecture and/or cities
• Learn how to set up a sample InDesign layout
• Learn the most basic tools and skills in InDesign

SAMPLE PROJECTS

• Final paper example 1
• Final paper example 2
• Final paper example 3
• Final paper example 4
• Final paper example 5

 

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