Pink - Design

Making "Sense" of Design - 

Daniel Pink speaks of the six senses in his book, A Whole New Mind.  The first sense that he speaks of  is the sense of Design.  Pink defines Design quite well, and mentions the ideas of problem solving.  He uses other designer's definitions as well.

The idea of problem solving is continuously brought about throughout the chapter, even when discussing the business of design.  As a designer and design educator,  I 100% support Pink's ideas regarding design as a major form of problem solving.   What I would like to do is potentially elaborate on what I feel was not emphasized well enough throughout the Chapter dealing with design.

Communication 

Communication is a major element that must be part of a design.  It is important for one to communicate their ideas to others.  Design has been given more evolved names such as Visual Information and Visual Communication for a number of reasons.  Mostly, because it is the art of communicating actual information and solutions to others.  In the book, the argument is made about the first human in a "loincloth" scraping rocks on the sides of caves as the first true form of design as a form of problem solving.  Also, a reference is made to hunting tools, such as spears and arrow heads being designed.  These are effective design and engineered pieces, however if they were NOT communicated effectively, no one else would be able to see how they were made, replicate it, and keep it going.

Also, Designers must be good communicators, as it is a means of selling.  We must sell our solutions to others.  Designers have to make a living too, and "starving artists" must be able to communicate their ideas effectively.  Scenario:  You have the next BIG Idea.  You cannot communicate with others.  You do not sell that idea.

I often use the scenario of JP Morgan and Thomas Edison.  The invention of electricity as a form of electric lighting is one of the most amazing breakthroughs in the history of mankind, and only one of many, many game changing inventions by Edison.  The streets are lit, and the sidewalks are safer as a result of the electric light.  It took a visionary such as Edison to create it, but it took a sound business communicator like JP Morgan to take the idea and solution created by Thomas Edison and sell it to others.  The first house lit in america with electric light was JP Morgan. It was at the party he hosted to communicate this idea of lighting that he developed General Electric's Board of Directors.

Communication is an integral part of the success of a design.  It is necessary through the process, and a must when the solution is resolved.

Pink - Story

Making Sense of Story

Daniel Pink's sense of story is viewed as a necessary sense essential for Right-Brainers to rule the future.  Incorporating story in our existence can make for positive thinking and problem solving.

Some quotes that should be revealed in explaining the power of storytelling are:

“Story represents a pathway to understanding that doesn’t run through the left side of the brain,” writes Pink. 

“We can see this yearning for self-knowledge through stories in many places.” 

He cites scrapbooks, webpages, and blogs as just a few examples. “The conceptual age can remind us what has always been true but rarely been acted upon—that we must listen to each other’s stories and that we are each the authors of our own lives.”

This is one of the most captivating of the senses to me, as we all think in pictures.  Story telling allows us to visualize ideas, and also helps to build the vital communications skills necessary to help sell our design solutions.  Back To The Caveman!

The first form of communication known to man are the cave drawings in Lascaux France. These can be argued as art, design, the foundations of literacy, but let's face it....These are stories first.  They are telling of great hunts, and giving us the visions that they used specific tools to hunt, shields to protect, and so forth.  It is these stories that allow us to understand what life must have been like for theses individuals, these stories allow us to "date" the era in which they were created, and also tells us a bit about what animals were alive during this times (i.e. mammoths).  For the record, I am aware that bones exist teaching us about animals as well.  But, in retrospect, doesn't the bones tell a story also?  We can tell so much from physical things as a form of a story also.  We can see how an animal died, when looking at the position of them.  We can vision so much through the art of story.

So how can this be applied in efforts to dominate the future?

An evaluation worthy of pointing out in regards to Pink: 

"Pink outlines how important storytelling is to business. Employees at 3M, the World Bank, NASA, and Xerox have begun teaching their employees “storytelling techniques.” 10 years ago such a pursuit would have been laughed-off by CEOs. Stories are helping businesses in a number of ways, from marketing, to building technical support documents." - David Hendron

I have heard the terminology used "Just give me the time, don't build me a clock."  Is this true today?  I believe not.  I think that people that are working in teams, need to understand how the clock is built and how it works.  They need to know the story of their product.  Not....How do I sell it?  Grab a bag of your favorite potato chips.  On the back of the bag, a story.  Point proven.

Blog # 1 - Torbett 8740

I'll tie all chapters to personal transformation...

Eisner states thats 'transfer' occurs when a student takes what they have learned in the classroom and is able to connect it to the world beyond it; they are able to extend or apply what they have learned to other domains.  I find this to be true, and also, quite possibly one of the biggest challenges for an Art Education teacher, as many interpret works of 'art' to be a product of your environment (i.e. culture, surroundings, etc...), OR things that someone has already learned, rather inherently or purposely.

The Challenge....

 Understanding that creating art is also problem solving.  "The point here is the kind of deliberately designed tasks students are offered in school help define the kind of thinking they will learn to do"  (Eisner).  We as art educators, must design curriculum-based activities that students will be able to apply and make meaning to both their 'pallet' and their 'place in this world.'

Meaning is conveyed in 3 different forms or treatments:

1.  Mimetic - Forms that look or sound like what their intention is.
2.  Expressive Form - Forms that represent how "feeling" is achieved
3.  Conventional Signs - Socially agreed-upon symbols that refer to ideas, objects, or events and the like.

We must promote the child's ability to develop his or her own mind.  In doing so, we must understand that all children come from different environments in which they live.  It is essential to recognize differentiation in order to allow each child to form their own concepts and reflect the use of growth and mind.

It is in diversity and differences that the true focus of art education lies.  My principal once said to me an interesting statement while performing an evaluation.  He said that my job as an art educator is "unique" one in comparison to the jobs of other teachers...I teach a certain technique or application, and have to adhere to 30 students using that application, each in a different way.  Unlike mathematics, where 2+2 = 4, and thats it.....

It is a main focus of my program to prepare students to be work-force ready in my field upon completing my pathway... I have 3 Semesters to make a student ready to go to work and compete against me in my field.  A lot is put into my classroom, especially since most (to all) of the students coming to High School in my county have never taken an art class, as one is not offered until High School.  I tend to harp on this a lot, and there is good reason.   Eisner states that students today need art education now more than ever. They need the basic skills that include analyzing and communicating information, the ability to work with others, a sound knowledge in technology, and finally the ability to allocate resources.  All of this criteria becomes evident when making art.

Torbett - Post #2

Teaching the Visual Arts

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 opens with a great question...."How shall we think about teaching art?"  Which, immediately made me wonder how I approach teaching art.  Do I start with fundamentals?  Technique? How Do I get them jump started?

As many of you know, our county (Catoosa) in Georgia, does not have a structured art classes available to students until the 9th grade.  No Middle School art program at all.  I find that hard to believe, and wonder if that may be the reason a lot of students have no confidence in their ability to create art when they come to my class (Graphic Design), or the other offered art classes.  Students simply have no faith in their abilities to create art, because they have never been "taught" it formally. Hmmmmmmm.

This lays a heavy burden on myself as an art teacher.  It automatically demands that I am extremely critical in my approach in teaching art to young "virgin" art students. Let's be honest.  Some students have natural abilities, some are just average at everything they do, and some need alot of help.  However, I still find it strikingly odd that almost none of them have confidence in their abilities to create.  So.....Where to begin?

Eisner believes that we must engage one's imagination....WOW!  I dont remember that word in the standards that I am imprisoned within.  Learning how to tie in standards with imagination would be the perfect starting point to a successful art class.  Also, another critical thing to consider would be feedback.  Making sure that you are positively influencing each child by making them feel comfortable to imagine and create.  Asking and LIVING the Questions with students can be another most positive approach to helping young "uneducated" artists feel comfortable in their abilities to create.

Chapter 4

Now that I have looked deeper into teaching art, I am drawn more closely in chapter 4 in asking the question..."What has the student learned?"  My question is how is that gauged?  By their standardized test? or by What are they "taking" from my class when they leave?

My class is basically (with the exception of the first 4 weeks of introduction to History of Art and fundamentals thereof), a project-based computer art class.  The technical form of my class lies with rigorous instruction on how to get students to learn the programs needed to create designs, followed by projects that allow them to be boundary less while creating, then place their creative message in a box that MUST be within dimensions.  I call this thinking outside the box, and then placing it all in the box. Much like a jewelery piece.  Much creativity goes into the making of a fine watch, but at the end of the day, it gets tucked inside of the jewelry box.

In Eisner's "What the Arts Teach Section, I paused and reflected on each:

Attention To Relationships
Flexible Purposing
Using Materials As a Medium
Shaping Form To Create Expressive Content
The Exercise of Imagination
Learning To Frame The World From an aesthetic Perspective
The Ability To Transform Qualities of Experience into speech and text

Moving to the next segment which discusses what to look for in finding out if your students are actually learning or "How Does it Show?"  Amidst all of the paragraphs following this, I believe that I typically judge what the student has learned based on the artwork that they create.  I am not always looking at quality, but I am looking at the aesthetics.  What they "took" from the project.  Which area they embraced.  What areas they could improve upon.  Etc Etc.  I hope this reflection made sense.

Article Topic - Torbett - Carroll Text - Faciliting Aesthetic and Critical Inquiry

One of the "missing links" that I feel lay prevalent in the studies involving visual culture lies within the portion pertaining to the engagement of students to art objects.  By this, I mean allowing students to actually "see art."  And in saying that, I am referencing physical pieces or works of art.  With technology and the internet today, Museums are seeing less and less traffic, and a more saddening fact is that museums are being viewed as places to go see old things.  I chose to use an article for this segment of Carroll text which "hones" in on a study in the United Kingdom in which students were taken to an art museum and were engaged with actual authentic art. The article is titled, Promoting Positive Attitudes in Children Towards Museums and Art:  A Case Study of the Use of Tate Kids in Primary Arts Education, by Koula Charitonos, from the Open University in United Kingdom.

As I stated above, the article deals with the challenges of getting learners to the museums to view actual art.  It also focuses on promoting positive attitudes in children towards museums and art and also addresses to what extent the use of Museum Web Sources can enhance learning and engagement.

The study introduces the United Kingdom museums to be the most fluently visited museums by teachers.  The case study research focused on children, the Tate Kids, and sought to understand their perceptions of events by describing participants' experiences and thoughts about a particular situation.  The children were asked to write a definition of what a museum was on a sheet of paper.  The overall perception was that a museum was 'a  learning place.'  The children were asked to create meaning maps which showed that museums were collectively related to knowledge in general. The study also showed that the Tate kids referenced the museum as something tangible, and that there was no virtual mentions in the meaning maps. Reference was made to the museum that "old retired people were there," and that museums can be boring, as they were made to sit down for long periods of time while someone talked.

During the reading, and interesting quote from a student named Maria caught my attention. She states that she doesn't like museums and viewing because "I don't get the picture, I don't really get the picture...and I don't know if the artwork is good."  She also said, "Art isn't treated as in school."  This may be linked to the fact that children view art as a practical activity, rather that completed works. Th children seem to think that art done is school is more 'authentic.' (Charitonos) 

The final question asked to the Tate Kids was "What do you think art is?"  After visiting the museum, the consensus was that art is not purely practice, that it is also viewing.  One student even said, "Art is for everyone."  You may draw a picture and you may not like it but someone else might like it and get stuff from it.  

The rest of the article/study (which I will not detail), states the importance of using art museums Web media to drive students to the museums to view actual art.  It also promotes using this media (Web) to encourage the viewing of art in a classroom setting, rather than focusing solely on art making.  I believe this ties in with making meaning through art.  We must have a strong sense of vocabulary when viewing, so it would be necessary to take art further in the classroom than just making.  Making meaning of art will enhance and encourage the iKids to take a stroll at their local museums and galleries.

Torbett Blog Topic -Art:21 Mike Kelley

The Artist that I chose for the Art:21 Series was Mike Kelley.  His primary focus was on using memory to create art.  Mike Kelley passed away in 2012, and there was a nice memorial tribute to him on the site, which included additional interviews with Art:21.  He received his BFA from the University of Michigan and his MFA from California Institute of the Arts.  He created memory pieces by using highly symbolic ritualistic performances and stuffed animal sculptures.  He also creates paintings and models.  In referencing the questions posed, I came to these attributes:

1.  How will you help students connect the enduring idea to the students' lives?

I chose Mike Kelley's works because they are indirectly involved with High School (which I will get to shortly).  Using memory is vitally important to connecting to any works of art.  Having students act out visual interpretations through dance or perfomance can utilize repetition, which enhances memory and serves as aesthetic understanding.

2.  How will you build students' knowledge base about the enduring idea as it relates to other content areas as well as to life?

We are all ritualistic people.  A student's knowledge base could be built upon realistic values.  A ritualistic approach to connects developmental processes can be attributed to creativity and art making. 

3.  How will you build students' knowledge bas about enduring ideas as they occur in art.

Kelley suggests in his documentary that there is a perception that all work is created through "repressed trauma."  We can adopt principles of art criticism while viewing his work such as Art:21 Sessions.  Also, view his work titled 12 seasons, in which ovals were painted in efforts to show endlessness, and black space was used to represent "missing time."  The 12 Seasons is a symbolic series of work which represents his abuse as a child and reoccurring trauma that he faced in life.

4.  How will you engage students with exploring, questioning, and problematizing  the enduring idea through artmaking?

Kelley shows an interesting work in which he recreated models of all schools that he attended as a child, including his childhood home.  The interesting approach is seen when he purposely left out rooms and other portions of the structure that he doesn't remember. This symbolism is used to project the power of memory.  What we have and what was lost.  Students could be asked to recreate certain pieces from memory, and only focusing on what is remembered.  Also, Kelley uses what he calls "past high school rituals" such as Prom, Dances, Homecoming, etc.  He recreates them from memory.  Maybe students could create storyboards, backdrops, props focusing on how these so called rituals would be conducted in their own right.  Also, they could create their own soundtrack using what Mike Kelley calls noise makers.

Kelley was an interesting study.  I enjoyed this artist.

Torbett Article 2 - Carrol Text - Developing A Repertoire of Skills

One of the topics involving visual culture that I have embraced, and feel as though may be one of the most crucial interdisciplinary approaches to this movement is visual storytelling.  As a Graphic Designer (Visual Communicator), and artist, I feel that telling a story or sending a message visually is at the core of visual literacy.

For this topic in Carroll text, I chose an article titled Encouraging Visual Storytelling (Moving Forward), organized by the Alumni Study Group for Narrative Art, Maryland Institute College of Art.

The article opens by stating that the interest in narrative art and visual storytelling has moved to the forefront of art education as a practice.  Visual Storytelling reflects n the intertwining of several ideas.  These ideas include the conception that children look at most things in the sense of a story.  Also, the idea that graphic narrative conventions helps aid a child to tell more visually appealing stories can only prove to be a positive influence on the learning child.  "The research of Brent and Marjorie Wilson and Janet Olson have done much to forward the practice of developing narrative techniques.  In Practice, narrative skills seem particularly useful in providing a bridge from early schematic drawing to a more flexible and dynamic language that can express emotions, action, interaction, special effects, time and weather, all in the service of a story."

Jerome Brunner has developed a conclusion that through story, we gather and build most of the meaning that we get from life. We tell stories to reflect upon past occurrences in our everyday life.  Therefore, it can only make sense that we utilize art in storytelling, whether the story derives from literature, drama, music, mythology, etc.

The case is made when stated that the best reason of all to pursue visual storytelling as a means of visual expression is that it brings forth an authentic voice and gives it an artful format.  In telling a story, no matter how tragic, sad, funny, moving, dramatic, or remarkable, a visual meaning is constructed.