Independent Study Proposal Outline
LVC Hall (Fine Arts Bldg), Room 2016 (Undergraduate Design Lab)
Instructor: Dr. Tony McEachern, Associate Professor
E-mail: tony@tonymceachern.com
This format for qualitative research usually takes place in the form of case studies. It allows artists and designers to clearly explore and communicate creative concepts and innovative approaches to a studies in visual communication.
This approach also aids in developing the textual content for your MFA thesis, specifically the results and discussion section(s).
Independent Case Study in
Advertising Design/Visual Communications
Proposal Outline
Below are instructions for writing your independent study project proposal. This format allows you to clearly communicate your concept and creative approach to a study in visual communication. It also aids in developing the textual content for your thesis (written document). This document should be no more than two-three pages, single-spaced. It is a brief document that is to be used for concise communication, as well as to potentially be included in your master’s thesis.
I. Title of Project
Provide a working title for this project. Working titles frequently changed or adjusted as the actual project develops.
II. Situation Overview
This section should give background information on the area of your study. It does not describe your study but discusses the circumstances that influence your study and motivate your argument. What is state of your subject of exploration? Is current genre or environment outdated, under explored, or apparently non-existent? Why is there a need to explore your subject matter?
III. Purpose / Objective
What is the goal of this project? What problem are you attempting to solve? What area of visual communications do you intend to address in this study/project. Is it a study in visual representation, color coordination, shape and form, etc? Does this problem address any social, psychological, educational or economic issues that society may be facing?
IV. Target Audience
Specifically – following the communicative model of:
Encoder (sender) – Transmission (media channel) – Decoder (receiver)
Who is your target audience? Is your audience a mass audience or a segment of a greater market? Understanding who we are sending our messages to help the designer and media producer better assess the effectiveness of our creations.
V. Key Message
What is the key message you want the audience or viewer to walk away with after encountering and experiencing your create piece.
VI. Tone
What is the tone or moody of your piece? Is it smart, edgy, and elegant or funny, quirky, and playful? Your selected tone is a control mechanism that affects the viewer’s psyche. MFA level students should practice the art of conscious selection when it comes to the tone of a creative piece. This shows one’s level of mastery.
VII. Project Specification
What form(s) of media do you intend you use to produce the your create works in this study (acrylic paint on canvas, on-screen publishing, offset printing, etc.)? Why have you chosen these forms of media? What are the dimensions of the pieces you intend on creating (width, height, breadth/depth – if applicable)?
VIII. Project Timeline
This section grants a tentative timeline for the production of the create work. It offers checkpoints for the student and faculty advisor to meet and discuss the progress of the project. It also offers a deadline for this project that is to be agreed upon by both faculty and student.
IX. Signature and Date
This document goes on record and should be signed and dated by the student at the time of submission for approval.