Writing A Thesis

The following document outlines the essential components necessary to write a good thesis proposal. Once completed, your thesis proposal will provide a solid narrative for the rest of the term.

A thesis proposal consists of three main components - OBSERVATION, PROPOSITION and ANTICIPATED INVESTIGATION.

Deadlines:
V1 Thesis proposals are DUE at the beginning of Class 2 - September 23rd
Final thesis proposals are DUE at the end of Class 3 - September 30


1.0 Introduction or Main Topic Description or Executive Summary
Begin by introducing the chosen topic or theme you plan to investigate. Topics or themes can be broad, therefore, it;s important that you define the specific area of focus within that topic. Craft a statement that demands you to justify or explain how you plan to execute your idea, why it's such an important project and what considerations will need to be made.

Students are encouraged to begin their pursuits through the following topics/themes.
- for culture
- for education
- for health/well being
- for regional entrepreneurship
- for social/political concerns
- for new media/interactivity

2.0 Design Problem or Opportunity
A good thesis is born out of an existing problem or opportunity. Problems and opportunities are discovered through observations and research. Explain what you have discovered through observation or research that leads you to answer the question; "Why is there a need for this product or service?". Once this is done, your thesis statement should articulate how you intend to fill this void.

3.0 Audience
Your role as a designer is to create relevant connections to your audience. In this section you need to clearly define who your audience is. The more granular you are, the easier it will be throughout the entire duration of your project. What are key characteristics of your target audience? Please be thorough.

4.0 Objectives and Criteria
Projects are deemed successful by measuring them against objectives and criteria. Therefore you must define clear, measurable objectives that can be monitored and checked throughout the lifespan of your project. At this point, you need to get specific on how do you intend to resolve your problem, or capitalize on your stated opportunity.

Criteria answer the question "how?" but in more tangible terms. What will you end up with if your project is successful? A CD-ROM, a book, a website, a branding campaign? What types of media will you be using to create your project?

When starting out, be ambitious and thorough with your criteria - this area can always be edited.

This section can also include references to a timeline or workback schedule

5.0 Research Summary
The first section should summarize and document all your research leading up to the creation of your final Thesis Statement. This section may consist of personal observation, interviews, books, magazines, the web, etc. (You will be marked on the diversity, imaginativeness and documentation of your explorations). The second section should layout future research initiatives.


6.0 Personal Objectives and Educational Goals
List your personal and educational objectives for the next 12 weeks. How will this project benefit your overall career goals? Be as specific as possible.

Grading Criteria

A student will receive a grade for each term based on the following criteria. NOTE: The weight of each criteria will change from phase to phase.

RESEARCH
- Quality and depth
- Scope
- Exploration

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Appropriateness, clarity
- Risk-taking
- Conceptual quality

VISUALIZATION
- Communication of intentions
- Originality, imaginativeness
- Technical and visual quality

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Attendance, punctuality, participation
- Resourcefulness, time management

PRESENTATION
- Structure, organization, documentation
- Effectiveness
- Clarity of written and/or oral presentation

Course Schedule, Deadline & Deliverables

Phase 1: Research - Design Proposal (20%)
Class 1 (September 16th) - Course Introduction
- Review Course Outline
- Grading Criteria
- Course Schedule
- Tools/Resources that you're going to be using
- How to choose a topic/theme for their project
- Writing a design proposal*****
- Writing a thesis
- Open discussion with each student about their initial topics/ideas

- Homework:
· Setup Blog
· Choose a topic/theme for your project
· Write a Proposal (you will present it next class)
· Bring your laptops to class if you have them

Class 2 (September 23rd) - Design Proposals Reviewed
- Show Mari's project
- Students are to present their V1 Proposals in class
- Timelines/Workback schedules
- Students are to work on their Thesis Proposals during class time
- Presentation TIPS
- Students are to begin exploring the tangible elements of their projects/topic

Class 3 (September 30th) - Finalize your thesis and direction
- Students will finalize their chosen topic/theme and provide proper justification/rationale
- "Based on the following, I've decided to pursue the following direction"
- Required to submit final revised Proposal and formal Documentation of their process for grading
- Students will be required to present their mentor

Phase 2: Concept Development/Visual Exploration (30%)
~ Research and explore a wide variety of ideas related to their project to determine an appropriate design direction for the next phase

Class 4 (October 7th)
- Lecture: Presentation Tips

Class 5 (October 14th)

Class 6 (October 21st) - Phase 2 Final Presentation
- Students are to present three distinctly difference conceptual/visual directions rooted in their chosen topic
- Students must present adequate rationale/justification that proper pathways/directions have been explored
- Students have the option to begin their chosen visual prototype

BREAK (October 28th)


Phase 3: Project Development (25%)
~ Students are required to develop a visual prototype of their chosen direction/concept. Things to take into consideration: function and aesthetic

Class 7 (November 4th)

Class 8 (November 11th)

Class 9 (November 18th)


Phase 4: Project Refinement & Completion (25%)
~ Students are expected to refine and complete their projects

Class 10 (November 25th)

Class 11 (December 2nd)

Class 12 (December 9th)

Course Outline

Instructor: Tak Yukawa
Contact: tyukawa@langara.bc.ca
Duration: 12 Weeks
Start Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Break: October 28th, 2009
End Date: Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
Prerequisites: All term 1 & 2 classes

Description:
Over the course of a 12 week term, students will create a self-directed project from start to finish in consultation with an experienced instructor. This class will provide senior level students the opportunity to propose and realize an INDEPENDENT project of substantial DEPTH and SCOPE. The final deliverable will represent the culmination of all the creative/technical skills and experience gained in previous terms. Emphasis will be placed on CONCEPTUAL development. Students will have the flexibility to focus on a brand new topic or expand upon a topic/theme they've already pursued during school.

After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Confidently and effectively PROJECT MANAGE aggressive timelines and substantial tasks
- Conduct effective, robust RESEARCH to satisfy particular project goals
- Effectively ANALYZE and PROCESS collected data into useful creative tangents
- Develop and implement effective CONCEPTS to satisfy project goals
- Make educated, rational decisions pertaining to VISUAL development and implementation
- PREPARE and PRESENT their designs with confidence and professionalism

Topics/Themes:
Students are encouraged to begin their pursuits through the following topics/themes.
- for culture
- for education
- for health/well being
- for regional entrepreneurship
- for social/political concerns
- for new media/interactivity

Respond to an anticipated or existing need in relation to your selected design theme, and demonstrate advance skills in synthesizing all aspects of the design process. Relevant design application categories are:

1. Identity Design:
2. Information Design:
3. Publication Design:
4. Promotional Design:
5. 2D/3D Design: including exhibitions, displays

Warning:
Students are strongly encouraged to choose project paths that are not based on technical resources/skills with which they have no prior experience. Students are also responsible for any additional financial costs associated with the production/creation of final project deliverables or presentations.

Mentorship:
Students are required to establish a relationship with an individual(s) with specific knowledge pertaining to their respective project. A mentor could be a client, an individual with expertise in a specific technology or production method associated with the project, or a designer with at least 5 years of professional experience. NOTE: A mentor cannot be another instructor/faculty member at Langara College.
DEADLINE: Students must find and announce at least 1 mentor by Class 4 (Oct 7). Mentors must be approved by the instructor and college administration.

Teaching Methods:
This course will be delivered through a variety of lectures, in-class discussions, lab time and reviews with the instructor. Students are required to remain in class for the entire duration of the class with their work ready for review.

Workload:
This course concentrates heavily on student-instructor interaction. It is imperative that students are present and prepared to work the entire 4 hours, as well as a substantial amount of time each week outside of class to complete horizons and research assignments.

Required Supplies:
- A computer and Adobe Creative Suite Programs (Primarily Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat Pro)
- High-speed Internet access
- Blogger account (Google)
- Google DOCS account (Optional)

Students are required to bring the following items to class each week:
- Sketch Paper for ideation and sketching
- Paper clips (large and small)
- Drawing pencils
- Fine line ballpoint pens and different sized multi-tip black markers (Sharpie)
- A minimum of 3 different color Highlighters
- Other sketching tools may be required during the course (ie: Pencil, Markers and Papers), and will be determined by the student’s comfort level, preference or by instructor request.
- Memory Card/Key for digital files (ideally 1 gig)