Creator Show and Tell
Assignment Overview
Partner with a classmate to research, analyze, and present a significant artist, designer, or collective to the class. This assignment develops research skills, critical thinking, and presentation abilities while expanding the class's knowledge of influential visual creators and their impact on contemporary design.
Timeline: 2 presentations at the beginning of class in classes 3-7
Format: 8-10 minute Zoom presentations with peer feedback
Partners: Groups of 2 (one group of 3 if needed)
Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment, you will:
- Develop research skills beyond basic google searches through diverse source investigation
- Practice critical analysis of visual work within historical and contemporary contexts
- Build presentation skills for engaging virtual audiences and managing technical aspects
- Expand visual vocabulary through exposure to significant artists and design movements
- Connect historical work to contemporary practice through analysis and comparison
- Introduce a beginning to peer feedback through a simple structured response
Research Requirements
Beyond Basic Googling: Multi-Source Research
Your research must include at least 4 different types of sources:- Academic/Museum Sources (minimum 1)
- Museum websites, exhibition catalogues, art history databases/collection
- NYU library resources, JSTOR articles, academic books
- Gallery representation information, artist statements
- Contemporary Analysis (minimum 1)
- Recent articles, interviews, or podcasts (within last 5 years)
- Contemporary designer commentary or influence studies
- Social media presence or current projects (if available)
- Primary Sources (minimum 1)
- Artist interviews, manifestos, or written statements
- Historical documents, correspondence, or publications
- First-person accounts or autobiographical material
- Visual Comparison Sources (minimum 1)
- Work that influenced or was influenced by your chosen creator
- Contemporary work showing similar approaches or themes
- Cross-cultural or cross-temporal visual connections
Presentation Structure Guide (8-10 minutes total)
Opening (1 minute)- Introduce your creator and why you chose them
- Brief preview of what you'll cover
Research Presentation (5-6 minutes)
- Both partners should present (divide content logically, not just trade off slides)
- Show work examples while discussing - don't separate "here are pictures" from analysis
- Use your research to tell a compelling story about this creator's significance
Contemporary Connections (1-2 minutes)
- Show examples of current work influenced by your creator OR
- Demonstrate how their work connects to design issues we're discussing in class
Q&A Facilitation (1 minute)
- Ask the class 1-2 engaging questions to generate discussion
- Examples: "What contemporary designer do you think is most similar to [your creator]?" "How do you see [technique/approach] being used today?"
Presentation Format & Zoom Guidelines
Technical Requirements
- Presentation software: Google Slides, PowerPoint, Keynote, Figma Slides, or PDF presentation, however you prefer
- Screen sharing practice: Test your setup before presentation day
- Audio quality: Use headphones/microphone for clear sound
- Visual quality: High-resolution images, readable text at screen-sharing size
Submission & Peer Feedback System
Pre-Presentation Submission
Due: just before your presentationUpload to The Creator Show and Tell Figma file in your designated team section:
- Presentation slides exported as individual PNG files (one per slide)
- Research source list with working URLs and complete citations
- Discussion question(s) you plan to ask the class
Peer Feedback Process
During Each Presentation:- All students post one comment on the team's Figma submission
- For example: What did you learn? What connections do you see? What questions do you have?
After Each Presentation:
- Presenting team responds to peer comments within the week
- Class discussion continues through Figma comments for remainder of week
- Connections encouraged between different creators presented
Comment Guidelines
- Constructive and specific - avoid "good job" or "interesting"
- Ask questions that show engagement with the research
- Make connections to other work, current trends, or class concepts
- Offer insights from your own research or observations
Artist, Designer & Collective Options
- Paul Rand - American modernist, corporate identity pioneer
- Josef Muller-Brockmann - Swiss style, grid systems, clarity
- Muriel Cooper - MIT Media Lab, digital design pioneer
- Herb Lubalin - Expressive typography, magazine design
- El Lissitzky - Russian Constructivism, propaganda design
- Emory Douglas - Black Panther Party, activist graphic design
- Guerrilla Girls - Anonymous feminist artist collective
- Barbara Krueger - Text-based conceptual art, media criticism
- Susan Kare - Apple computer icons, digital interface design
- Paula Scher - Pentagram partner, typographic illustration
- Sister Corita Kent - Pop art, social justice, screen printing
- Sophie Taeuber-Arp - Dadaist, textile design, geometric abstraction
- Anni Albers - Bauhaus textile artist, color theory
- Sheila Levrant de Bretteville - Feminist design, community engagement
- Elaine Lustig Cohen - Modernist graphic design, art direction
- David Carson - Experimental typography, music culture design
- Shepard Fairey - Street art, political posters, brand subversion
- Peter Saville - Music graphic design, fashion, cultural criticism
- Ruben Pater - Critical design, decolonization, political graphics
- Saki Mafundikwa - African typography, cultural preservation
- Kenya Hara - Japanese minimalism, MUJI design philosophy
- Natasha Jen - Pentagram partner, contemporary branding
- Andy Warhol - Pop art, commercial techniques, celebrity culture
- Jean-Michel Basquiat - Street art, fine art, text and image integration
- Ray and Charles Eames - Industrial design, furniture, multimedia
Propose Your Own
Submit a proposal including:- Name and brief description of work
- Why they're significant to visual design
- Availability of research sources
- Connection to course themes
Approval required by Professor in Class 3
Presentation Schedule & Selection Process
Selection Process
- Review the list during Class 2
- Post your top 3 choices in designated Figma comment area by Class 2 end
- Find a partner with complementary interests
- Confirm selection with professor by Class 3
Assessment Rubric
Research Quality (60%)
- Source diversity: Multiple types of credible sources used
- Depth of investigation: Goes beyond surface-level information
- Critical thinking: Analysis shows personal engagement with material
- Contemporary connections: Clear links between historical and current work
Presentation Skills (15%)
- Organization: Clear structure, logical flow, good timing
- Visual integration: Images support and enhance verbal presentation
- Zoom presentation: Effective screen sharing, clear audio/video
- Partnership: Both members contribute meaningfully and cohesively
Class Engagement (15%)
- Discussion facilitation: Asks engaging questions that generate class discussion
- Peer feedback: Provides thoughtful, constructive comments on others' presentations
- Q&A response: Handles questions with knowledge and enthusiasm
Submission Completeness (10%)
- Figma organization: All required elements uploaded clearly and on time
- Citation quality: Proper attribution of all sources and images
- Visual presentation: High-quality images, readable slide design
Success Strategies
Research Phase
- Start early - good sources take time to find and analyze
- Use NYU library resources - librarians can help you find academic sources
- Look beyond English-language sources if relevant to your creator
- Check museum collections - many have extensive online archives
Presentation Preparation
- Practice together - rehearse transitions, timing, and technical setup
- Test your tech setup - screen sharing, audio levels, slide advancement
- Prepare for questions - anticipate what classmates might ask
- Have backup plans - save presentations in multiple formats
Zoom Presentation Tips
- Use presenter view if available to see notes while screen sharing
- Keep slides visual - minimal text, maximum image impact
- Speak clearly and pace - virtual audiences need extra clarity
Peer Feedback
- Take notes during presentations - capture ideas for thoughtful comments
- Ask genuine questions - show curiosity about the research
- Make connections - relate to other presentations, class readings, current work
- Be supportive - help create positive learning environment for everyone
Extra Credit Opportunity
Library Research Challenge (+1 point to final grade)
Check out a physical or digital book from NYU Library (or partner libraries: NYPL, Cooper Union, Parsons/New School) that contains work by your chosen creator.
Requirements:
- Find one work not available through Google image search
- Include in presentation as special discovery
- Document the source with full proper citation
- Explain significance - why was this work not widely reproduced online?
This assignment builds research, presentation, and critical thinking skills while expanding the class's collective knowledge of influential visual creators. Each presentation should teach us something new and help us see contemporary design with more informed eyes.