Dear list members
Having benefitted much from discussion on the list, I am pleased to offer
my recently completed PhD dissertation for download at the following
address:
https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspace-jspui/handle/2134/10050
Title: Graphic design as urban design: towards a theory for analysing
graphic objects in urban environments
Abstract: This thesis presents a model for analysing the graphic object as
urban object, by considering atypical fields of discourse that contribute
to the formation of the object domain. The question: what is graphic
design as urban design? directs the research through an epistemological
design study comprising: an interrogation of graphic design studio
practice and the articulation of graphic design research questions; a
review and subsequent development of research strategy, design and method
towards the articulation of methodology that reflects the nature of the
inquiry; a detailed analysis of five different ways to study and research
graphic design as urban design, in geography, language, visual
communication, art and design, and urban design. The outcome of the
investigation is a model that enables future research in the urban
environment to benefit from micro-meso-macrographic analysis. The model
endeavours to provide a way to evaluate, design and enhance public places
and urban spacesı (Carmona et al., 2010) by considering different scales
of symbolic thought and deed. This has been achieved by acknowledging the
relationship between the relatively miniscule detail of graphic symbolism,
the point at which this becomes visible through increased scale, and the
instances when it dominates the urban realm. Examples are considered that
show differences between, for example, the size and spacing of letter
shapes on a pedestrian sign, compared to the visualı impact of an iconic
building in the cityscape. In between is a myriad of graphic elements that
are experienced and designed by many different professional disciplines
and occupations. These are evidenced and explained. Throughout the study
an indiscriminating literature review is interwoven with the text,
accompanied by tabular information, and visual data in the form of
photographs and diagrams. This is mainly research-driven data utilising
photographs from fieldwork in Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Portugal,
South Korea, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The methodology
integrates a transdisciplinary adaptive theory approach derived from
sociological research, with graphic method (utilising a wider scope of
visual data usually associated with graph theory). The following images
provide sixteen examples of artefacts representing the graphic object as
urban object phenomenon.
Yours sincerely
Robert
Dr Robert Harland | Lecturer | School of the Arts | Loughborough University
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