Nail down the List
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The visual component will be made up by a collection of illustrations and layouts in both bound book and digital form. Amongst the long list phrases that make up figurative language, here are the ones that I have been considering:
Fights like a lion
Hair of the dog
Nail down ideas
Put the nail in the coffin
The straw that broke the camel's back
Caught with his pants down
Wet behind the ears
-Milk on his lips (Spanish)
Window Shopping
-Window Licking (Spanish)
Cock of the walk
Tit for Tat
Quiet as a mouse
Proud as a Peacock
Tighten up the screws
Burning a whole in his pocket
Grasp the concept
Break the ice
Shed some light on the subject
Drinks like a fish
Strong as an ox
Fights like a lion
Hair of the dog
Nail down ideas
Put the nail in the coffin
The straw that broke the camel's back
Caught with his pants down
Wet behind the ears
-Milk on his lips (Spanish)
Window Shopping
-Window Licking (Spanish)
Cock of the walk
Tit for Tat
Quiet as a mouse
Proud as a Peacock
Tighten up the screws
Burning a whole in his pocket
Grasp the concept
Break the ice
Shed some light on the subject
Drinks like a fish
Strong as an ox
THESIS PROPOSAL
The Analysis and Interpretation of Figurative Language in Visual Form
Introduction
Figurative language elicits and contains meaning and imagery. Its use is everywhere in verbal and written form. When I tell a student to nail down his ideas, I don’t want him to literally, grab hammer and nails. The phrase is a common one. It serves to communicate a non-literal meaning. Nailing down ideas means to clarify or edit one’s thoughts and ideas. “One meaning of "figure" is "drawing" or "image" or "picture". Figurative language creates figures (pictures) in the mind of the reader or listener. These pictures help convey the meaning faster and more vividly than words alone.” (Figures of Speech) I intend to research the use of figurative language in design and illustration. I will research its origins and far-reaching use of figurative language in the English language. I will also relate and assess its use in world language as well.
Overview of the Inquiry
My research will be a critical examination of the use of figurative language in print and in conversation. The anecdotal use in casual conversation occurs daily. I theorize that its use in graphic design is less common. This inquiry will investigate whether some use it as a framework for visual communication. After research, I intend to assess the effectiveness of my visual component. Does my work communicate meaning? Does my work elicit higher-level thinking? The essential question is whether figurative language translates into visual terms.
Statement of Intent
The purpose of this study is a personal exploration of the connection of figurative language and visual communications. Both graphic design and illustration attempt to communicate meaning and message. Figurative language does this by relating, retelling, or comparing one thing to another. This complex translation is efficient and important communication. I see a rather specific connection between figurative language and graphic design. Figurative language contains visual imagery. It illicits visual imagery. It communicates meaning in a new way.
The visual component of my thesis will be a collection of ten illustrations. Each of these will be my interpretation of ten different uses of figurative language. This will be presented digitally and in book form as well. I will publish the bound and published using either http://www.blurb.com/ or http://www.lulu.com/.
Guiding Research Questions
Does figurative language directly translate into graphic design?
Can design work communicate meaning without text?
Can imagery relate meaning when rooted in figurative language?
Is my project a significant contribution to my field of knowledge?
Has this study been conducted before?
Will my personal exploration and documentation become a framework or sourcebook for communication?
Research Procedures
I will conduct research in to texts to find data on the connection between figurative language and graphic design. I will also gather both quantitative and qualitative data by conducting surveys. I will distribute these to both artist and non artist. Source data will be analyzed, interpreted and both the visual portion and written reflection will document this process.
Tentative Schedule
This schedule is dependent upon the sequence of coursework in my MFA program. I am only able to take one course per quarter so the end date for my thesis is roughly four or five quarters from today. That puts the end date for my work at the end of the Winter quarter, 2009. The actual timing of my work will be based on my thesis committee and the benchmarks for the individual classes:
Fall 2008: Thesis Writing and Research Methodologies
Winter 2009: Thesis Studio 1
Spring 2009: Thesis Writing 1
Summer 2009: Thesis Studio 2
Fall 2009: Thesis Writing 2
Winter 2009: Thesis Studio 3
Works Cited:
"Figures of Speech." English Club. 26 Oct 2008.
Introduction
Figurative language elicits and contains meaning and imagery. Its use is everywhere in verbal and written form. When I tell a student to nail down his ideas, I don’t want him to literally, grab hammer and nails. The phrase is a common one. It serves to communicate a non-literal meaning. Nailing down ideas means to clarify or edit one’s thoughts and ideas. “One meaning of "figure" is "drawing" or "image" or "picture". Figurative language creates figures (pictures) in the mind of the reader or listener. These pictures help convey the meaning faster and more vividly than words alone.” (Figures of Speech) I intend to research the use of figurative language in design and illustration. I will research its origins and far-reaching use of figurative language in the English language. I will also relate and assess its use in world language as well.
Overview of the Inquiry
My research will be a critical examination of the use of figurative language in print and in conversation. The anecdotal use in casual conversation occurs daily. I theorize that its use in graphic design is less common. This inquiry will investigate whether some use it as a framework for visual communication. After research, I intend to assess the effectiveness of my visual component. Does my work communicate meaning? Does my work elicit higher-level thinking? The essential question is whether figurative language translates into visual terms.
Statement of Intent
The purpose of this study is a personal exploration of the connection of figurative language and visual communications. Both graphic design and illustration attempt to communicate meaning and message. Figurative language does this by relating, retelling, or comparing one thing to another. This complex translation is efficient and important communication. I see a rather specific connection between figurative language and graphic design. Figurative language contains visual imagery. It illicits visual imagery. It communicates meaning in a new way.
The visual component of my thesis will be a collection of ten illustrations. Each of these will be my interpretation of ten different uses of figurative language. This will be presented digitally and in book form as well. I will publish the bound and published using either http://www.blurb.com/ or http://www.lulu.com/.
Guiding Research Questions
Does figurative language directly translate into graphic design?
Can design work communicate meaning without text?
Can imagery relate meaning when rooted in figurative language?
Is my project a significant contribution to my field of knowledge?
Has this study been conducted before?
Will my personal exploration and documentation become a framework or sourcebook for communication?
Research Procedures
I will conduct research in to texts to find data on the connection between figurative language and graphic design. I will also gather both quantitative and qualitative data by conducting surveys. I will distribute these to both artist and non artist. Source data will be analyzed, interpreted and both the visual portion and written reflection will document this process.
Tentative Schedule
This schedule is dependent upon the sequence of coursework in my MFA program. I am only able to take one course per quarter so the end date for my thesis is roughly four or five quarters from today. That puts the end date for my work at the end of the Winter quarter, 2009. The actual timing of my work will be based on my thesis committee and the benchmarks for the individual classes:
Fall 2008: Thesis Writing and Research Methodologies
Winter 2009: Thesis Studio 1
Spring 2009: Thesis Writing 1
Summer 2009: Thesis Studio 2
Fall 2009: Thesis Writing 2
Winter 2009: Thesis Studio 3
Works Cited:
"Figures of Speech." English Club. 26 Oct 2008