So for a while now I have been making blog entries on proposed projects I could be doing (see [link] ). Next semester, man of them shall be realized...

The Proposal

Design is a powerful tool and must be utilized to tackle powerful issues. That is the philosophy in which my plans for the independent study are rooted. For as long as I have been alive, and well before, race has been a tremendous issue in my life and in American society. With my independent study, I would like to do research on race, racism, stereotypes, urban life, gangs, hip-hop/rap music, etc. and bring them to light through design. I plan to create several project series focusing on these issues utilizing the media of graphic design, photography, illustration, printmaking and photo-illustration. I would like to combine the range of these projects into a book using articles I find speaking to these issues, as well as face-to-face interviews with students and other people. Blending texts I gather and write, with images I create, I hope to produce something to get people thinking and talking about these issues. I feel that an independent study would be perfect for realizing this vision of mine. With the restraints of a full-fledged graphic design course lifted, I definitely feel that I can accomplish my vision for this project.

Examples of projects I have planned for this include:

-a look at social suicide in the urban black male community. I have not decided whether to do this as a collection of photos or prints yet. however, this will be looking, at the affluence of drugs, guns, gangs, etc. and the effect on the young black male.

-an illustrated sign language sheet that utilizes illustrations of gang signs and urban hand signs instead of traditional American Sign Language. For this I will use articles speaking on hand signs and gangs in order to create a layout.

-illuminated manuscripts featuring lyrics from rap lyrics, looking at them as a type of urban “gospel.” (see blog entry on the "Illuminated Manuscripts of the Notorious B.I.G.")

- a photo-illustration project using photos of different people and caricatures and small sketches of stereotypes related to their race. (see "First Post and Stereotype") I will accompany this with articles about different stereotypes associated with the ethnic groups I choose for this.

-a continued look at Hispanic/Latino stereotypes through the photographing of "Homies" figures. I will accompany this with articles on Hispanic/Latino urban cultures

-a look at racist groups in America such as Neo-Nazis and the KKK through small single panel comics

The possibility of other projects to be collected in this publication will depend on the amount of time these projects take to complete, compile, and layout.

I will keep you all abreast of the project as I go through the process of making this whole thing come together. Any feedback is appreciated