You could be as involved and complex as you feel is necessary like Heironymous Bosch.



Or be more systematic in your approach like Bruno Munari, producing visual lists. You do not have to conform to a house style with this project, the point is to explore the possibilities both in terms of the visual language that you use and the options for navigation and access of multiple layers of information.

One way to consider how to develop this project is thematically. Normally with a thesaurus you would select a word and then list the synonyms and possibly the antonyms. However it is also possible to explore a theme or scenario, see above produced by godhead Richard Scarry. This gives you scope to construct an image and be lyrical with your interpretation of the brief - however you will need to consider how you are going to expand on the theme. It may be interesting to think about George Perec and his practical exercises listed in the 'Species of Spaces' perhaps?
If you are going to select a word and then visually list its synonyms and antonyms then we would suggest that you select one to two words to work with.

The project asks you to think about how to take people on a journey of discovery and learning. Traditionally, Dorling Kindersley make books that accommodate vast amounts of information, they are image and text rich with a remit to make the process of gathering material and making connections across subject matter as engaging and interesting as possible. This project is a speculative one in that you are being asked to consider both the potential for a thesaurus within the convention of print AND the possibilities that interactive and alternative platforms now offer for that process.

Hello all, please see below the external project set by Diane Peyton Jones and Jim Green of Dorling Kindersley.

DK BLURB
Established in 1974, DK publishes bestselling, award-winning and visually stunning reference books for adults and children. From travel guides and activity books, through to food, history, film and much more, DK makes ideas come to life! Owned by media group Pearson PLC, DK is part of the Penguin Group, and also acts as a parent company for video game publisher, Brady Games, and travel/non-fiction publisher, Rough Guides.

DK has established a worldwide reputation for its innovative non-fiction books in which the unrivalled clarity of the words and pictures come together to spectacular effect.

As well as creating beautiful books, DK is increasingly making content available in a range of digital formats. However, DK content in all its forms is still characterised by quality, expertise and accessibility. DK is a brand that inspires trust and we pride ourselves on creating books with international appeal, working with companies worldwide who share our values and ethos.


VISUAL THESAURUS:
This project asks you to visually and / or typographically re-invent the format of the thesaurus [not the whole thing!]. The project is aimed at the 7+ age bracket and its purpose is to get children engaged with learning new words and expanding their vocabulary. It is also about considering how print content could be applied across interactive formats which are now being implemented within the world of publishing

TO DO:
Select three words OR themes and:

1. Produce 3X full colour spreads to the spread size of 276x432mm in either portrait or landscape format. If you choose portrait then we would like at least 1 or 2 of the spreads of the three to be landscape as well if possible.

2. Produce a proposal for an illustrated print approach that can then be expanded into an interactive version such as an app or a web-based experience.

At the interim meet you should have 3X roughs for each of the spreads and visually coherent ideas for the interactive proposal.

TO CONSIDER:
This is a speculative project and gives you the opportunity to think ambitiously and creatively about how imagery / illustration and content could be experienced by the reader / user. With that in mind you should be ambitious with your ideas. Putting your work in to an interactive environment offers the opportunity to think about short animated sequences, sound, navigation, space, texture, ambience. Bear in mind that you are NOT being asked to produce an app/website etc but develop ideas for how your content could be expanded / augmented through that sort of environment, so its a plan.

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared from This Is It on Vimeo.

Further thoughts on the Sci-Fi BOOK project

Over the summer you were sent various pieces of information about the Book project - Tansy provided a template for ways of thinking about the content of your chosen Sci-Fi book, here is it:

I hope this project will also appeal to others for whom the genre is also slightly alien/unfamiliar and not just the more nerdy escapists amongst you.. Although it is billed as a book project, on reflection I thought the headings of the exhibition might provide an equally stimulating basis for a well researched series of images and they are:

Future Worlds (including predictions made by writers of the past)

Virtual Worlds (of dreams, the imagination and cyberspace)

End of the World (apocalyptic tales)

Parallel Worlds (eg via time machines)

Alien Worlds ('moon men' were described as far back as 1638..)

Perfect World?(Utopias)

We will be posting over the coming weeks about this - with references to material that may be of interest and have some relevance -  

Adam Dant

Adam Dant has produced many drawings depicting and interacting with large public space and utopian models. This includes Canary Warf and St Paul's.