Title:
Digital Kaleidoscopes: The Synergy Between Graphic Design and Photography through Visual Perception
Author:
Derek Reynolds
Publication Year:
2013
Institution:
Radford University
Department:
Graphic Design
Evaluation
- Design Quality The thesis has a straightforward design, likely made in Microsoft Word. The layout uses white pages and a single font, giving it a simple, academic appearance. Reynolds also held a photography exhibition as part of his project, showing his work in a professional, visually engaging format, which complemented his written research.
- Degree of Innovation Reynolds‘ work stands out for its fresh approach, combining photography and graphic design with a focus on patterns, an area not commonly explored in design studies. His approach is personal and creative, using his own photography series to illustrate design principles, which adds a unique, innovative dimension.
- Independence The thesis shows independence in both thought and execution. Reynolds developed his own photography series and applied design principles to analyze it, describing in detail how he used various software tools to achieve his results.
- Outline and Structure The thesis has a clear and logical structure. However, it could benefit from a brief history of photography’s role in design in the introduction, which would provide helpful context for readers. Reordering some chapters, such as placing „Artistic Inspiration“ before „Manipulation of Digital Images,“ could also improve the overall flow.
- Degree of Communication Reynolds writes in a direct and clear style, making complex ideas easy to follow without sounding overly technical. This accessible approach invites readers into the material and keeps the paper engaging.
- Scope of the Work The thesis could cover more theory, especially on the topic of patterns, which is a primary focus in his photography series. Adding this would strengthen the connection between his visual work and the theoretical framework.
- Orthography and Accuracy Reynolds’ work is accurate and well-cited. He includes references for all important points, ensuring a reliable and well-supported presentation.
- Literature Review The thesis includes about 20 sources, a moderate amount, but these are high-quality and mostly drawn from books and articles rather than websites. His references include key figures in design, like David Carson, adding authority to his research.
