Steps
Step 1
Topic Determination & Data Collection
The core task of this step is to determine the research topic and conduct extensive data collection, laying literature foundation for thematic research. Design history research requires solid historical materials support, and choosing a valuable research entry point is crucial. Through systematic literature search and data collection, comprehensively understand historical background, development context and research status of the research object.
• Select research object from design history genres or movements covered in the course, such as Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Modernism, Postmodernism, Pop Design, etc., define research scope and core questions
• Conduct extensive literature search, use academic databases, library resources, internet resources to collect relevant books, papers, exhibition catalogs, original documents and other materials, establish research literature library
• Collect image materials and background information of representative works, organize designer biographies, design works, historical photos, era background and other materials, provide rich materials for analytical research
Deliverable: Research topic and literature review (including topic statement, research questions, literature list, data compilation) | Quality standard: Research topic has academic value, comprehensive data collection, solid literature foundation
Step 2
Historical Context & Background Research
This step focuses on examining design phenomena in specific historical context, understanding socio-cultural drivers of design development. Design history is not isolated style evolution history, but closely related to social, economic, technological, cultural and other factors. Through in-depth background research, understand historical inevitability and socio-cultural significance of design schools' emergence.
• Study historical background of design school/movement, analyze influence of social conditions, economic development, technological progress, cultural trends, art movements and other factors on design at that time
• Sort out context and clues of design development, study inheritance and evolution relationship of design styles, analyze inheritance, influence and rebellion between different schools, establish overall cognitive framework of design history
• Study lives and thoughts of key figures, deeply understand designers' design concepts, creative methods and historical contributions, understand internal driving force of design development from human perspective
Deliverable: Historical background research report (including social background analysis, development context sorting, key figure research, historical context analysis) | Quality standard: Broad historical vision, in-depth background analysis, clear context sorting
Step 3
Work Analysis & Style Research
This step is the core phase of design history research, summarizing formal characteristics and aesthetic features of design style through in-depth analysis of representative works. Works are the materialized embodiment of design ideas; through detailed formal analysis and image interpretation, reveal design concepts, aesthetic pursuits and technical characteristics behind design works.
• Select 5-10 representative design works for in-depth analysis, interpret from multiple dimensions such as function, form, material, technology, aesthetics, analyze innovation points and historical significance of works
• Summarize formal characteristics of design style, including modeling language, color characteristics, material application, decoration techniques, composition rules, etc., extract style recognition elements of this school/movement
• Conduct comparative analysis, compare research object horizontally and vertically with designs of other schools, other periods, other regions, find its uniqueness and universality
Deliverable: Work analysis and style research (including work analysis, style characteristic summary, comparative study, style atlas) | Quality standard: In-depth and detailed work analysis, accurate and precise style summary, insightful comparative research
Step 4
Theoretical Framework & Critical Analysis
This step introduces design theory and critical perspective, conducting deeper interpretation and reflection on design history phenomena. Design history research is not only describing historical facts, but also conducting theoretical interpretation and value judgment. Using tools such as design theory, cultural theory, sociological theory, conduct critical analysis on design phenomena, deepen ideological depth of research.
• Learn basic theories and methods of design history research, such as formal analysis method, iconology method, social history method, feminist criticism, postcolonial theory, etc., choose appropriate theoretical perspective
• Apply selected theoretical framework to conduct critical analysis on research object, explore deep issues such as ideology, power relations, cultural identity, consumer society behind design
• Reflect on social impact and historical role of design, both affirm its historical contribution and analyze its limitations and problems, form dialectical historical understanding
Deliverable: Design criticism and theoretical analysis (including theoretical framework, critical analysis, dialectical discussion, research findings) | Quality standard: Appropriate theory application, profound critical analysis, deep dialectical thinking
Step 5
Thesis Writing & Result Presentation
This step is the concluding phase of research, organizing research results into standardized academic papers and presenting results. Academic papers are the formal outcome form of design history research, requiring compliance with academic norms, complete structure, and rigorous argumentation. Through thesis writing and result presentation, systematically present research results, exercise academic expression ability.
• Write research paper according to academic paper standards, including abstract, keywords, introduction, historical background, style analysis, theoretical discussion, conclusion, references, image index, etc.
• Conduct multiple rounds of revision and polishing, polish the paper from multiple aspects such as thesis statements, supporting arguments, argumentation, structure, language, ensure academic quality and writing level
• Create research presentation PPT, transform research results into visual presentation, prepare oral report, exercise academic expression and communication skills
Deliverable: Design history research paper (including complete paper, references, illustration materials, presentation PPT) | Quality standard: Complete and standardized paper structure, rigorous argumentation logic, high academic level