18 One-Week Projects

Using the laws of modern handwriting analysis, modify an existing typeface to have the attributes of a liar’s script.

Using the Handbook of Regular Patterns, design at least five wallpaper samples for the home or HQ of a major historical person or group.

Make a map of your routes through the city during the next five days.

Curate a timeline that includes all major projects from Parsons as well as all of your major visual influences.

Design a mail-order catalog for the sale of everything in your bedroom.

Write, photograph, and design a travel guide to the Eighth Floor of 2 W 13th St.

Make a presentation that explains a well-known psychology experiment. Think of Milgram, Skinner, Rosenhan, Festinger, Harlow, Kandel, and many others.

Design a game for one player. Explain and document the process of playing it in book form.

Organize and photograph either all the books in your library, all the clothes in your closet, or all the items in your pantry, whichever is most numerous.

Create and install a public sign that alters typical communication patterns in its space. Document the installation.

Design and place three ads for a very close friend using typography found exclusively at the supermarket.

Design a complete alphabet out of things that were once alive.

Typeset 6 versions of your résumé per day over the next 5 days. Do not try to express yourself. Do not create a logo for yourself. Do not use more than 2 fonts per design.

Create posters for a film series with 11 films: M, FX, Big, Jaws, Psycho, Casino, Titanic, Clockers, Chinatown, Casablanca, and Citizen Kane.

Either eavesdrop or keep a diary for five days, and, on the sixth day, use this language to create a poster in A1 format.

Design a logo of your own name based on photographs you’ve taken in New York City.

Design a small book of around 16 pages that tells a joke.

Using the only the words from a TV commercial, design a type-only story-board or small book.

These assignments are from the class Antithesis.

28 January 2005 — Education, Assignments