DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/7W5E-C851

Defense Date

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

Graphic Design

First Advisor

David Shields

Second Advisor

Sandra Wheeler

Third Advisor

Peter Hall

Abstract

I'm arguing for an approach to generating graphic form based on slapstick. Slapstick is a genre of physical comedy involving humorous portrayals of clumsiness, mistakes, and nonsense. I investigate it as an approach to form, content, process, and communication. These methods were used to construct an immersive installation loosely based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Graphic design is expected to function. It does this by conditioning users to its particular patterns or by skillfully implementing familiar patterns. A slapstick approach to graphic design is valuable as a critical tool for disrupting conditioned experiences for promoting empathy by relating to people through imperfection and failure.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-12-2016

Share

COinS