Hi Marco
I think the focus on the visual element of communication design comes from a limited appreciation of what communication design is for and what it can achieve. For example, it is not uncommon for my peers in other design disciplines to refer to my field as 'graphics,' a reference that stems from an understanding that communication design is about 'how things look.' This view is common outside of the broader design circles, too. This is in part because of the relative newness of the profession, the small body of literature behind it (even relative to other design disciplines) and the ephemeral nature of so much of the work.
But perhaps we communication designers have some responsibility for that perception, too. I was told a story recently about a lecture regularly given to graduating communication design students here at Swinburne. A guest lecturer (I forget who) tells the students "Your job is not the fancy skills you have learned over the last three years. Your job is to get your clients to take a risk. They don't necessarily understand how graphic design can help their business, you do." Similarly, it sounds like you are well aware of the transformative potential of communication design and therefore you have a certain responsibility to communicate that.
It sounds like you want to study the experience of graphic objects within the particular social contexts they are most likely to be consumed. This is an excellent idea. There are many research methodologies that can help you do this, and many people on this list who can provide you with a more expert run down of what might be best. For my own research I'm exploring the use of visual discourse analysis (not recommended unless you can stand Foucault) and visual rhetoric but they won't necessarily be suited for your needs.
Even though it does not strictly deal with communication design, "Emotional Design" by Don Norman contains some helpful thoughts on the sort of questions you're asking. Nathan Shedroff (www.nathan.com) is one of many who specialise in 'experience design' and whose work may also be relevant to your search.
Best of luck,
Katherine
PS Please excuse my previous repeated post.
---
Katherine Hepworth
PhD Candidate
National Institute of Design Research
Swinburne University of Technology
144 High Street Prahran
Victoria 3181 Australia
Telephone +61 401 408 804
Facsimilie +61 3 9521 2665
www.swinburne.edu.au/design
http://members.iinet.net.au/~khepworth/index.html
-----
Swinburne University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code: 00111D
NOTICE
This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and intended only for the use of the addressee. They may contain information that is privileged or protected by copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, printing, copying or use is strictly prohibited. The University does not warrant that this e-mail and any attachments are secure and there is also a risk that it may be corrupted in transmission. It is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses or defects before opening them. If you have received this transmission in error, please contact us on +61 3 9214 8000 and delete it immediately from your system. We do not accept liability in connection with computer virus, data corruption, delay, interruption, unauthorised access or unauthorised amendment.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
|