Research Statement and Annotated Bibliography

The research topic that I will be investigating is Neo-Classical Architecture as it is a fundamental style throughout history.

1. A book with a single author

 Palmer, A. L. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Neoclassical Art and Architecture. Maryland, United States of America: Scarecrow Press.

This book will be helpful in researching Neo-Classicism as it gives a concise overview of Neo-Classicism that focuses in on major artists and architects in the 18th century that influenced the style of the period. Studying major artists will help understand the reasons behind the style.

2. A scholarly journal article

Standen, E. A. (1925). Rococo and Neo-Classicism. Apollo, 114(233), 36. 

This journal article is appropriate as it highlights the differences between Rococo architecture and Neo-Classical architecture. It tells of the restrained style of the design and looks at the geometric style of the architecture. 

3. An edited book

Toman, R. (2007). Neo-Classicism and Romanticism: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Drawings. Koln, Germany. Ullmann Publishers. 

This edited book is relevant for the subject matter as it tells about the most important achievements in Neo-Classical architecture which is important when studying the design period. Learning about the major achievements will tell us more about the reasons behind the style of architecture.

4. A website

Galuzin, A. (2008). Neo-Classical Architecture. Retrieved from http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categories/architecture/neo-classical/neoclassical_architecture.php

This website is a suitable source for researching Neo-Classical design as it gives a succinct summary of the main features of the design period. It also has many images which means the researcher can see for themselves what the author is writing about. It has annotated views of the features of Neo-Classical architecture such as the columns which helps understand the main components.

5. An image

Church, F. E. (1871). The Parthenon [Oil on canvas]. Retrieved from ARTstor database.

This image relates to the research topic as it is the essence of the Neo-Classical design period. This image gives a visual of the style of architecture that is being studied and shows the common features of Neo-Classical architecture such as columns, pediments and statues. 

Individual work

Isometric drawing of camera

I chose to use an isometric design style for my individual drawing as it gives a simple and holistic view of the object. I also chose it because it is regularly used in the design field as it clearly portrays three-dimensional objects in two dimensions. It also has merits due to the fact that it portrays ideas quickly and effectively because it has three views and also gives relative dimensions of the object.  

Isometric drawing of a house

Touch and Draw

Touch and draw of pliers

Section

Abstract section of a mechanical pencil

Draw

Views of a camera

Hatch

Identity

Design Persona

My name is Megan van der Poel and I come from a dairy farming family in a small rural town in Taranaki. I am currently living in Joan Stevens Hostel studying a Bachelor of Design Innovation with a minor in Marketing. Although moving to Wellington was a major change in my life I am really enjoying both the course and the city.

What lead me to design? The answer is my year 13 graphics teacher. I had always thought that I would go to Victoria University to study a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration. Business studies was a subject that I had achieved high marks in so I thought this is what I had to do, even though nothing about it excited me. The decision to swap degrees came after a talk with my graphics teacher who, after seeing the time and effort I put into graphics, simply told me that I had to pursue design. After talking with him I realised that he was right. Although I may be more naturally gifted at other subjects they were not what I was passionate about. Through the effort that I put into the subject I found that the work that I produced in graphics was of a high quality and something that I was proud of.

My inspiration in the field of design would have to be Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus design style that he employed. The idea of simplicity in design is the notion on which a lot of my concepts are based. However I am looking forward to learning about new designers in the hope to draw more inspiration and better my design ideas.

I hope that the completion of this course will allow me to pursue a career in design that I am passionate about. The idea of designing everyday products to help people live a better life is something that I would love to do. Though I do not wish to produce good designs, great design is what I strive for.

Helvetica 'sound byte.'

'Type is something that says something to us all the time.'