Design Research Dissertation

 

(Week 1 - Week 14)
Design Research Dissertation

Jenani Raja Saker 0334331

Final Compilation & Reflection

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INSTRUCTIONS

TASKS

Project 1 

Project 1 is the construction of the draft of the dissertation. Although stated as a draft, it is more or less a complete version of the dissertation where the main chunk of the dissertation in which we have yet to complete which is the Analysis and Discussion has to be complete. 

In the process of completing the Analysis and Discussion, we were tasked on creating a matrix which helps us find topics within our deployed research methodology previously which in my case is the Visual Analysis and a Focus Group Study. 

Below is the research matrix that I had come up with (ended up changing from the original through out the process) :

After having the topics more or less fixed, I had begun the process of writing out the draft of my dissertation which can be viewed below: 

Other parts such as the Literature Review is just a condensed version of the Critical Reviews that we had done in the previous semester in which rather than writing separate reviews about separate authors, we are to find a common topic amongst the journals studied, and review the manner the authors wrote on the topic altogether. Below is my completed Literature Review: 

After some changes below is my complete dissertation with the turnitin report:

Project 2

For the second book, we were tasked to do a in which we would convert the dissertation document into a book complete with design elements. For my research, as there were a fair amount of visual imagery, there was still a lot of text when in comparison. Hence, I wanted the visual layout and color scheme for my book to be exciting and stimulating. 

Below is the moodboard for the flip book :

After getting some guidance on Miss Jinchi regarding the flip book, I also had the idea inserting semiotism and symbolism into the book as part of my visuals to make it more exciting (perhaps not so successfully)

Below is the completed flip book:

Final Project

For the final project, we had to convert the entire dissertation, condense and pick the essential parts and transfer it into a 2000 word journal article. The template was provided by Miss Jinchi, which was very helpful and aided very much so in the process of conversion. 

Below is the completed journal article :

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REFLECTION

The entire experience of writing and completing the dissertation was rewarding and even though it was extremely tough and once again made me doubt my capabilities once too many times, I found myself that with the help of my friends and my lecturer, Miss Jinchi, I was able to get through. 

One important lesson that I had learnt is to ask for help. Sometimes we feel hesitant to ask for help, not wanting to burden the other person, or perhaps out of pride, or the sheer pressure we put on ourselves, but in any work, in any endeavour there is going to be an instance where we need the gentle or sometimes not so gentle nudge from our peers our superiors to give us the boost and get us going. It is not shameful to ask for help. It is necessary. 

One other lesson in terms of the module that I had learnt is that, research is not at all easy! That obvious statement aside, semiotics in general still piques my interest, and I would love to experiment on implementing the language of visual semiotics in graphic design or into the field of brand identity as I intend on specialising to a certain extent in that field. Semiotics playing an important but not so obvious role in the field of advertising could perhaps be equally useful when applied in the field of branding and brand identity. 

Lastly, 

I genuinely wanted to let Miss Jinchi know how much she has helped me through out this semester. Miss Jinchi, if you're reading this, I can only say thank you. Your help reached far beyond the confines of physical module,  class work by aiding and genuinely caring about my mental as well as physical health. A lecturer that is wholesome in every manner, I thank you for the semesters you've taught me.  An inspiring teacher, one who genuinely pushes me to do my best, I thank you once again, Miss Jinchi. With love and respect. 

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FEEDBACK

Week 2

Miss Jinchi informed that the main purpose of the matrix is to help us build the skeleton of the Discussion. Hence, I've got to take the themes brainstormed and form them into the structure. Miss Jinchi gave me suggestions on how to put my themes into sections. Historical Context, Social Context, Semiotic Method will form one section under the header of Semiotics whereas the rest will be in the group of Advertising. For my Introduction for both sections, it's important to be descriptive in an accurate manner to the discussion. Not just copy pasting general information about the topic but learning how to connect them with the content that is to be discussed. I've also been given a decision to either relate both main topics (Semiotics and Advertisements) in the existing topics or to write them in a separate section.

Week 3

Miss Jinchi broke down the structure of the discussion to make it much more clear. She cleared my doubts as to how I should be describing as well as really zero-ing down into the content of the subtopics. I have more clarity on how I should approach the sub topics of the Semiotics and Advertising. Miss Jinchi also pointed out that I should be doing the discussion of the Advertising using the Semiotic Method. This means I do have to sort of show what Ive done in the visual analysis. Pick an advertisement and analyse it using the Semiotic Method and then proceed give an explanation on why and how the elements mentioned works. It is also pretty important for me to ask whether I am answerinng the Research Question through out the discussion, I also do need to buck up and catch up with the pace and write up. a couple of paragraphs to let Miss Jinchi check up on my work.

Week 4

ABSENT WITH PERMISSION

Week 5

There were two things Miss Jinchi gave a heads up on regarding the submission. The darft is due next Sunda yin which it will go through the turnitin report. We also ought to have begun the literature review by this week to show Miss Jinchi in the upcmoing class. For the review of my discussion draft, I have to make sure to relate semiotics to advertisements, thus when using examples they have to based of advertisements rather than a photo, poster or a painting. Another major correction, is that I have to explain the and introduce the subjects for eg: semiotic analysis, semiotic method, etc. so as to not confuse the reader. There is also much rearrangement that needs to be done in terms of expkanation especially for the 1984 advertisement. I haev to assume my reader does not posses any prior knowledge in my discussion and have to breakdown everything clearly. Put myself in the readers shoes as opposed to writing with all the further reading that I have done.

Week 6

ABSENT WITH PERMISSION

Week 7

ABSENT

Week 8

INDEPENDENT LEARNING WEEK

Week 9

Miss. Jinchi today gave me feedback on my book design. For my cover page, Miss Jinchi did not mention much on the sign language inspired cover but liked the vector illustration of that resembles a form of connection and relationship, however I would need to work on the title layout of that version. The second version Miss Jinchi likes is the play on the title that only utilises. It sort of shows a double meaning or like a mirror reflecting the meaning of semiotics. I would also need to input the Taylor's Logo and the Design School Logo other than my name. In regards to my Color scheme, it's best if I don't make it too glaring and use the colours smartly rather than overpowering too much. Usage of black would be better to replace the orange in the layout. The type for my header would be better if it were Montserrat where it would have a slightly more firm presence.

Week 10

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - MAULIDUR RASUL

Week 11

Miss Jinchi understands that right now we are in the correction phase of the dissertation and she extended the deadline for the book design to Wednesday which is extremely helpful. She will also put up the lecture on concerting a dissertation to a journal article in which we should watch before coming to class as preparation.

Week 12

For todays class we had a 2 hour briefinng on our 3rd Assignment which was to convert our dissertation into a journal article. Miss Jinchi had already given a lecture onn it and also provided a template for our ease of use. Few things to note is that we should only stick to 3 photos and we must have 3 pictures in the article. We also may choose to focus on one or two of the research questions if we have many. Based on the research questions we should trim our content our perhasps methodology to answer the particular question alone. It is not just copy pasting, but sort of curating the content to fit a smaller frame without losing its essence. We can include tables and so on in the appenndices if needed, not more than 4 however. For the word count, its best if we stick to it, with only 50 words exceedgin max. The keywords can sort of be tags that you would use to identiy the topic of discussion, and though certain words like "Graphic Design" is technically two words they are one, keyword because they make up one meainng.

Week 13

Today, Miss Jinchi gave me some feedback on the journal article and here are the feedbacks based on each section of the article : General Information: Should include : The Design School, Technology, Abstract: Should give the synopis, or summary of what can. be found in the research journal. Include the Research Problem, Methodology, Findings and Conclusion. Get straight to the point, and not be so descriptive. Keywords: Change some Social Design and Indirect Persuasionn to : Visual Communincation, Viewer Persuasion Introduction Check my tenses and sentence structre as well as spelling errors. Methodology I have to work onn some of my terminologies, fix some sentence structure. I shiuld also try readinng out my sentences as some of them were written too complicated and can bes implified to understand easily. IMiss Jinchi also taught the correct method of stating that certain resources can be found inn the Appendix. these methods of Data collection Findings & Discussion In this section, Miss Jinchi advised to include certain analysis of the visual elements as the reader can be a bit confused as to what I am talking about I did not include much of the finndings but rather focussed on the discussion. I should also include some data as well as the inital of the participants from my Focus Group Interviews. Connclusion I should subsitute certain repetitivre words such as analysis into in-depth study or other synonnyms. I should also rephrase certain sentences as they are once againn too complicated and can be confusing to the reader. Miss Jinchi suggested a few other limitations and future study opportunities to be included. Miscellaneous Check the font for Merriweather and make sure it is not Calibri. Check the tenses and spelling errors. Miss Jinchi gave me some suggestions as to what can be included into the images in the article. 1. Controversial image, hook. 2. Image Visual Analysis 3. Zoom Meeting with Picture credits, (permission has been given))

Week 14

In the final session of our tutorial, Miss Jinchi informed that the names for the research article does nnot have to follow the surname infront for Indian and Malay names. Miss Jinchi then ran through the Finndnigs & Discussion and refinend it further. THere were few paragpahs that we rearraged and senntennces that were shortened and resturctured. As for the appensix, Miss inchi guided me on the corrrect manner of penning it down and arrangig it. She also gave me a suggestion on what needs to be incnluded in the 3rd photo, and reminded me on comletinng my blog with the necessary information. All in all, it was a comprehensive session.