Artifacts

This is not intended as an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point for finding the range of work currently addressed by design practitioners when looking for existing "found" examples of communication theory at work in the world. Select areas that exemplify what you strive for in your own design work or that you want to learn more about.

categories

• infographics (diagrams, maps, graphs, charts, timelines, interactive*)
• way-finding signage (planned signs to help people navigate the built environment)
• logo (the stand-alone mark)
• retail or food service environment (all printed material from wall graphics to menu)
• book covers
• promotional posters (e.g. theater, event, or gig posters)
• packaging design
• motion graphics* (e.g. movie titles, must include type, captured as multi-frame storyboard)
• publication design (feature spreads, subsequent pages, illustrations)
• guerilla advertising campaign (localized, unconventional, low-cost)
• museum exhibit
• websites*
• advertising campaigns (billboards, magazines, television)
• online advertising campaign* (e.g. micro-sites, banners, take-over ads, etc.)
• mobile app* (must include social networking features)

getting started

The following sources are provided to help you get started, but you can look for evidence anywhere. The best place to look for examples of great work is, of course, the library.

• Open Here by Paul Mijksennar
• Data Flow by Gestalten
• Wayfinding by Craig Berger
• Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks by Per Mollerup
• By its Cover by Ned Drew
• Chip Kidd by Veronique Vienne
• Juxtapoz Poster Art by Kevin Thompson
• Posters for the People: Art of the WPA by Ennis Carter
• magCulture: new magazine design
• Guerrilla Advertising (1 and 2) by Gavin Lucas
• Advertising by Uwe Stoklossa
• Exhibition Design by David Dernie
• Motion by Design by Spencer Drate
• It's a Matter of Packaging

library periodicals

• 3x3 [illustration]
• adbusters
• cmyk
• communication arts
• how
• print
• IDN [ask a faculty member]
• eye [ask a faculty member]

some good websites to investigate

• Good Magazine Infographics
• NY Times interactive information graphics 
• Pentagram marks (then find a high res version)
• AIGA 50 books/50 covers (then get the real book for documentation)
• smashingmagazine lists top 35 ecommerce sites
• Webby Awards (websites, interactive advertising, apps)
• 30 examples of stunning ipad interface design
• Digital Kitchen
• Jakob Trollback

places to visit in person

• any public space (e.g. zoo, airport, university, hospital)
• Nelson-Atkins, Kemper Museum, ArtSpace, WW1 museum, American Jazz museum
• find magazines at Barnes & Nobel (e.g. Good, Wired, RollingStone, Esquire, Vanity Fair)
• visit your your nearest grocery store