Invent / Uninvent This
Not all technological inventions have advanced the human race. Some, you might argue, have hurt. In this poster exhibition, we will examine those technologies that have helped us, and also those that we wish had never been invented. Through a primary source analysis, you will make an argument for why you think this technology is an asset to our culture, or why you think it should be univented.
Working in groups of 6, you will choose 3 technologies that you think have helped human progress, and 3 that you wish had never been invented. These 6 objects should relate to each other through a common sub-theme. Each group member will then develop a poster on their chosen technology.
As a group we will:
- Come up with a name for the exhibition
- Identify and name the 4 sub-themes that each group has come up with.
Each poster will include:
- An image of your object. If you are not taking the photo yourself, you need to cite where the image came from. Make sure it is at least 150dpi at 100% in your file. If doing a google image search, choose “large”.
Introduction: 100 – 120 words
- A short introduction and description of the artifact with special focus on it’s relevance to the theme of design, technology and knowledge. What is it’s contribution? It is something that is now obsolete? Something that is speculative? Something that is supporting knowledge? Hindering it? If it’s a new or unfamiliar object make sure that you explain what it is. If it’s something that we already know, make sure that you find something previously unconsidered about it and it’s role in knowledge-building.
Detail: 350-500 words. This section should give more detail about the who, when and why of your chosen artifact that is appropriate, accurate, and gives evidence of how your object has contributed to knowledge-building. Be sure that you are considering alternative perspectives and viewpoints, and giving depth to what you think is the most compelling aspect of your object. This should not read like a laundry list of attributes, but should all contribute to a larger read of the objects role in knowledge creation. Things to consider:
- Its history: Who invented it and when and what technological advances contributed to its invention. Consider major milestones in its evolution. Were there major manufacturing advances that contributed to its invention? Was its development a slow evolution or a quick invention? How did technology contribute to this pace of creation? What might have prevented it from being invented / discovered earlier?
- Its impact on today: Think also about how this innovation — as related to its technology—has helped or hindered human knowledge. Does it make us do things differently today than it might have earlier? Do we interact differently with one another because of it? Do we consume, produce, learn, sleep, eat, live differently as a result of it?
- Its future: How is technology influencing how your artifact might be used in the future? And what future impacts of your artifact might be on knowledge? Is it relying on technology that currently exists or does it require the invention of new technologies to make these speculations a reality? What is driving these re-imaginations.
Important Project Components:
- Research and Sources: You should use valid, scholarly articles to support the points that you are making about your object. Your are likely not the first person to write about the history of writing utensils or coffee pots and should include other references are validation for your ideas and argument about how technology has affected or been affected by your object.
- In addition to the David Rose, you should have no less than 2 additional scholarly sources in the form of books, journal articles, magazines and newspapers. They can be popular or academic but they must be validated by you. You will be asked what criteria you used to judge these sources and why you decided to use them. You must give an answer about why you thought they were credible.
Citations: Please use in-text citations and format according to MLA Standards. Use this as a reference: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/ You must include a full reference in the footer of the poster.
Posters and Printing:
- Poster Size: 36” x 60”
- Print to the Plotter, Roll B. We will have a printing tutorial
- InDesign: You will get an InDesign template that you can flow your text and images into. We will have an InDesign Tutorial on the same day as the printing tutorial.
- Estimated Printing Costs: $24.00