THE DIDACTIC VALUE OF THE FIVE-POINTED STAR: TEACHING DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
Susan Merritt
Associate Professor of Graphic Design
San Diego State University

For the Beginning Graphic Design class, I developed an assignment based on the five-pointed star that introduces students to the precision of drafting; provides an opportunity for students to work with a pre-determined geometric structure, or grid; promotes design theories of proportion since multiple instances of the golden section are inherent in the five-pointed star; helps students understand symbolism and the role of symbols in the visual language of our culture; guides beginners through a designing process: research and information-gathering; determination of criteria; ideation through sketches; evaluation, assessment, and selection of a solution; design development and refinement; execution of comprehensive drawings; implementation of computer-generated final art in black and white and color, which is rendered in Illustrator; and oral presentation and evaluation. Students are encouraged to work with intuition and mathematics, such as the golden section and the Fibonacci series, to further develop the starÕs structure in meaningful and relevant ways while focusing on visual quality by effectively applying elements and principles of design, particularly line and shape, contrast, figure-ground relationships, symmetry and asymmetry, movement, depth, repetition, radiation, pattern, rhythm, and harmony. Once the two-dimensional versions are finalized, students translate the design into a three-dimensional form, which promotes critical thinking and problem solving and expands their ability to think and communicate visually. Outcomes vary tremendously even though the basis for each design is the same. I would like to present a case study of this project in addition to a series of individual solutions.

 

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