Assignment:
Your case study will take the form of a written description, analysis and summary of the learning experience of the chosen artifact, designer or event. The following sections must be included in your case study:
Part 1: A written description of the artifact, designer or event that you have selected. This should be presented in the form of a concise yet precise narrative sometimes called an executive summary;
Part 2: A written description of the artifact, designer or event using The Designing Triad - with a special attention to the interfaces - as the framework for the analysis. If considered unsuitable, another framework can be used but it must be as comprehensive as The Designing Triad;
Part 3: A written summary of the learning experience garnered from the artifact, designer or event from your perspective, with a special focus on what we have learned (e.g. what do we know now that we didn't know before?) as well as several significant lessons learned that can be applied in the future.
Visual information such as photographs and diagrams, as necessary and as required, should also be included in the case study.
Accurate citations and/or references from credible and reputable sources must be provided.
In total, the case study should be no fewer than 2,000 words in length but no more than 3,000 words. There is no specific word requirement for each of the three aforementioned parts.
Step-by-step Process
The Artifact, Designer or Event
Select an artifact, design or event that was important in the history of industrial design. The time frame for the case study is prior up to and including the 20th century, i.e. nothing later than the year 2000. (such as 1958 Lego; 1956 greyhound scenicruiser) The artifact, designer or event must be closely connected to industrial design. For example, the discovery of penicillin was important to humanity but it would be difficult to connect it directly to industrial design. Similarly, World War II was a significant event in human history but too broad for the purpose of Project 2. Much the same can be stated about artifacts normally considered as architecture. The exception is when these artifacts are connected significantly to industrial design such as Fuller's Dymaxion House.
The artifact, for example, the Ford Thunderbird was an artifact in Project 2; perhaps you selected it. If that is the case, please do not use it as the subject of your case study in Project 3. Become familiar with the artifact, designer or event by way of a web search and/or library search of relevant literature on the topic. Look for articles as well as images.
Begin Project 3 by writing a description of the artifact, designer or event. This is Part 2 of the project, and should be about at least 1,000 words in length but no more than 2,000. Remember to focus on The Designing Triad and some of its interfaces as the structure for your description.
Part 3 deals with your conclusion about lessons that we can learn from the case study that you have written. In other words, what do we now know that we didn't know before. And, what have we learned that can inform us in the future. Part 2 should be between 250 and 500 words in length.
With Parts 2 and 3 done, you can now write Part 1, the Executive Summary. An executive summary is a short, descriptive version of the case study itself. It allows the reader to get a quick sense of the case study without necessarily reading it all. This part should be between 200 to 250 words in length.
The graphic layout for Project 3 is not as demanding as it was for Projects 1 and 2. Nevertheless, the graphic layout for the case study should go beyond the typical APA or MLA format. You may begin with such a format but enhance it with the addition of images and other graphic devices. Look at leading edge design magazines for ideas.