Project 2: Visual Rhetorical Collage

Your task in this unit is to make a rhetorical claim through the juxtaposition of images and text. It's kind of a collage, but a collage with an argument to make. In assigning this, I have two main goals for you: (1) to learn how to ethically obtain images and edit them using digital tools, and (2) to explore the affordances of still images as a medium, and especially their ability to direct attention and help make ideas memorable.

As with the sound project, the context for your argument is open: you could be making a social commentary, calling for action, constructing a parody, riffing on a pun, explaining a concept, inviting someone inside, and so on. Whatever you choose, you should consider your audience and what they would find persuasive or interesting, and how you therefore wish to attract and direct their attention.

As you start planning your composition, consider: What ideas do you want help remembering? Or what do you want to persuade others of? Is there something you've noticed that you want to bring to the attention of others? See if any terms or images come to mind when you think of your subject, then work back and forth from image to word and back.

Generative constraints

Baseline criteria For a minimum grade of B, all projects for this unit must:

• Use arrangement, size, color, visual rhythm, and/or contrast to focus viewers' attention.
• Include at least one word, with a carefully chosen font, as explained in reflection.
• Have a clear message or intervention
• Incorporate juxtaposition
• Use at least 3 layers
• Use at least 2 GIMP tools, and write about them in the reflection
• Aim for surprise or metaphorical leap in the elements you bring together.
• Argue in reflection why you did what you did

Aspirational inspirations To target (but not guarantee) a grade above a B, the best projects for this unit may...

• Use Github repository with meaningful commit messages
• Incorporate conceptual contrast/changes - (i.e. two separate ideas combined into the image like including at least two images from separate sources)
• Try (and reflect on) ≥ 2 new-to-you GIMP tools/effects
• Guide eye through a flow
• Use negative space actively

Deadlines and products

At each stage, unless otherwise specified, upload (push) your materials to your own copy of this assignment repository. I recommend that you save often, using meaningful commit messages; for best results, please keep your filenames clear, lowercase, and space-free (use hyphens or underscores).

If you are using Box, please nevertheless share a link to your Box folder prominently in your GitHub repository.

date	what's due	expected files
Tues Feb 12	Visual Rhetoric Proposal	Thinking in writing about what you'd like to do for this assignment. Post to the appropriate Issue Queue with your proposal, suggesting in prose the idea or appeal you're hoping to make. In the same post, or as a separate file called ASSETS.md, include a prospective assets chart (see Writer/Designer p. 149) naming what images you'll need to obtain. Please also link to your repository in your post.
Thurs Feb 14	Visual Rhetoric Preview	An early snapshot of your progress, to get the gears turning. Turn in: A layered GIMP project file (.xcf), showing the arrangement of your images and text so far (need not be a complete argument or collage yet). A static screenshot (.png or .jpg) of your GIMP file in progress (for comparison later to subsequent drafts). A plain text (.txt) or markdown (.md) file, explaining in at least 300 words what you're showing us in this preview. Feel free also to ask questions or lay out next steps for yourself! An updated ASSETS.md file, now with the files you actually recorded or otherwise obtained. As you go, add source documentation for any outside sources – and your permission to use them (e.g. licenses, fair use; see Writer/Designer p. 160-165).
Tues Feb 19	Visual Rhetoric Draft	A solid attempt at a complete Visual Rhetorical Argument. Turn in: A layered GIMP project file (.aup), showing the arrangement of your images and any layer effects so far At least one more static screenshot (.png or .jpg) of your GIMP file in progress. Think about what moments are worth remembering as you go: where did you level up, or realize something, or get stuck? An updated README.md file, introducing the Visual Rhetorical Argument to a new audience. An updated ASSETS.md file – or rename it CREDITS.md – including documentation of any outside sources, and your permission to use them (e.g. licenses, fair use); see Writer/Designer p. 160-165.
Sun Feb 24, at 11:59pm	Visual Rhetoric Final Draft	Include the same components as in the earlier draft, but updated.
Tues Feb 26	Visual Rhetoric Reflection	Give a sense of the work you put into your Visual Rhetoric project and whether it accomplishes what you wanted it to. Turn in: at least 500 words describing the work you did at least two screenshots showing your work in progress at least one photograph of a notecard with feedback that you responded to in revising (and please say how) your own assessment of how you met the baseline criteria for the class, as well as aspirational criteria as appropriate Post your reflections to the course site's Issue queue, to make it easier to embed images. (If you want to then copy the source code into a file in your repo called reflections.md, I won't stop you!)