Formative Design / Coincidental Aesthetics Structure of the Time

Written By Tomaso Carnetto
Formative Design — Semester Plan (5 Blocks, 15 Weeks, 125 h)
Block 1 — Objectification & Deconstruction (Weeks 1–3) · 25 h

Goal: Define and analyze the chosen process (movement / coordinates / chance).
Outcome: A2 documentation (concept map + first experimental drawings).

Week 1 — Objectification

Steps of Elaboration

  • Choose and define a process (biological, mechanical, social, or mental); research its context and purpose.
  • Write 1–2 pages: kind, purpose, medialization, legibility, visualization of the unseeable.
  • Collect diagrammatic/visual references.
Week 2 — Deconstruction I

Steps of Elaboration

  • First drawing experiments translating motion/rhythm/chance into line structures.
  • Annotate gestures, materials, parameters.
  • ½-page reflection on perception → measurement.
Week 3 — Deconstruction II + Presentation

Steps of Elaboration

  • Select 3–5 drawings; layout two A3 double spreads.
  • 5-minute critique presentation.
Block 2 — Formalisation & Composition I (Weeks 4–6) · 25 h

Goal: Derive a visual grammar and begin compositions.
Outcome: Form catalogue + first compositions (A2 documentation).

Week 4 — Formalisation I

Steps of Elaboration

  • Extract recurring structures from drawings.
  • Define rules (line, rhythm, density) as a grammar.
  • Visualise as catalogue sheets.
Week 5 — Formalisation II

Steps of Elaboration

  • Test media/material variations (graphite, ink, digital, relief).
  • Compare aesthetic coherence; note findings for term paper.
Week 6 — Composition I

Steps of Elaboration

  • Combine 3–5 forms in 2-D and small 3-D experiments.
  • Prepare two A3 spreads showing transformation series.
  • Interim group review.
Block 3 — Composition II & Term Paper Prep (Weeks 7–9) · 25 h

Goal: Refine compositions; anchor theory for term paper.
Outcome: Composition drafts + paper outline/abstract.

Week 7 — Composition II

Steps of Elaboration

  • Refine compositions; address scale and material behavior.
  • Integrate movement logic into spatial layout.
Week 8 — Theory Link

Steps of Elaboration

  • Define paper topic tied to experiments.
  • Annotate 3–5 philosophical sources.
  • Write a 1-page abstract.
Week 9 — Review & Exhibition Prep I

Steps of Elaboration

  • Prepare A2 documentation (experiments + concept).
  • Peer feedback; adjust direction for implementation.
Block 4 — Implementation (Weeks 10–12) · 25 h

Goal: Realise 2-D/3-D works and media documentation.
Outcome: Prototypes + 6-minute media piece + updated A2 spreads.

Week 10 — Implementation I

Steps of Elaboration

  • Build first physical/digital prototypes.
  • Test stability, material response, lighting.
Week 11 — Implementation II

Steps of Elaboration

  • Iterate improvements based on critique.
  • Document making process (photo/video).
Week 12 — Implementation III + Media Prep

Steps of Elaboration

  • Finish objects; photograph final versions.
  • Edit 6-minute video/slideshow; update A2 documentation.
Block 5 — Exhibition & Reflection (Weeks 13–15) · 25 h

Goal: Curate final show; submit portfolio & term paper.
Outcome: Installed exhibition + term paper (10–12 pages).

Week 13 — Curation

Steps of Elaboration

  • Plan spatial layout and narrative flow.
  • Select documentation panels.
Week 14 — Final Exhibition + Media Launch

Steps of Elaboration

  • Install works on site.
  • Publish “Making Of” presentation online.
Week 15 — Reflection & Submission

Steps of Elaboration

  • Submit final A2 portfolio and term paper.
  • Oral reflection on aesthetic and ethical implications.

Workload guide: ~25 h per block (≈ 8 h 20 min/week).

Coincidental Aesthetics — Semester Plan (5 Blocks, 15 Weeks, 125 h)
Block 1 — Objectification & Deconstruction (Weeks 1–3) · 25 h

Goal: Define a chosen environmental item (face, body, animal, plant, landscape, urbanity). Outcome: Analytic mapping + first sketches (A2 documentation).

Week 1 — Objectification (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Object Selection & Definition — choose item; define kind/origin/context; collect 3–5 refs.
1 h 30
Tue
Purpose Analysis — functional/social/symbolic tasks; two-culture comparison; ethics link.
2 h
Wed
Medialization Study — media of appearance; ½-page reflection on medium→meaning.
1 h 30
Thu
Representation & Designing Society — how design shapes behaviour; one example/medium.
2 h
Fri
Synthesis & Layout — ~2 pp (kind→purpose→medialization→representation→society); draft A3 layout.
1 h 20
Week 2 — Deconstruction I (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Gesture Exploration — 10–15 warm-up drawings (movement/rhythm/density).
1 h 40
Tue
Material Translation I — 3 materials (charcoal/ink/collage); note meaning shifts.
2 h
Wed
Material Translation II — digital/photographic hybrids; overlay manual + digital.
2 h
Thu
Annotation & Reflection — describe tests (why/what/effect); ~300 words.
1 h 30
Fri
Selection & Documentation — pick 3–5 drawings; scan/photo; first digital layout.
1 h 10
Week 3 — Deconstruction II + Review (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Refine Drawings — adjust contrast/scale/composition; add intent captions.
1 h 40
Tue
A3 Double-Page Design — two spreads (analysis + series); hierarchy & balance.
2 h 10
Wed
Critical Summary — ½-page linking research and visual outcome.
1 h 30
Thu
Presentation Prep — 5-slide PDF or script; one rehearsal.
2 h
Fri
Peer Review — present/review; capture feedback and improvements.
1 h
Block 2 — Formalisation & Composition I (Weeks 4–6) · 25 h

Goal: Build a form vocabulary and first drafts. Outcome: Form catalogue + 2-D/3-D draft (A2).

Week 4 — Formalisation I (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Form Extraction — select 10–15 drawings; isolate motifs; tracing overlays.
1 h 40
Tue
Rule Identification — describe patterns as rules; 3 families.
2 h
Wed
Graphic Taxonomy — icons/symbols; gridded sheet.
2 h
Thu
Reflection — 300–400 words on social meaning of form.
1 h 30
Fri
Documentation Layout — A3 spread (taxonomy + captions).
1 h 10
Week 5 — Formalisation II (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Material Study 1 — three materials (paper/wire/vector).
1 h 40
Tue
Material Study 2 — analyse meaning changes; photograph.
2 h
Wed
Comparative Chart — contrast physical & conceptual effects.
2 h
Thu
Mini-Reflection — ½-page “material as ideology”.
1 h 30
Fri
A3 Update — add material experiments to spread #2.
1 h 10
Week 6 — Composition I (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Draft Sketching — three 2-D arrangements.
1 h 40
Tue
3-D Mock-Ups — two volumes (cardboard or digital).
2 h
Wed
Documentation — photo/render; note light/scale.
2 h
Thu
Peer Exchange — discuss with peer; record comments.
1 h 30
Fri
Adjust & Save — integrate feedback; prep A2 docs.
1 h 10
Block 3 — Composition II & Term Paper Prep (Weeks 7–9) · 25 h

Goal: Refine proposal; articulate theoretical foundation. Outcome: Advanced draft + term-paper abstract.

Week 7 — Composition II (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Review Drafts — select strongest; set revision criteria.
1 h 30
Tue
Formal Refinement — scale/proportion/balance; 3 variations.
2 h
Wed
Context Study — related forms in history/architecture.
2 h
Thu
Concept Annotation — ≈250 words to philosophical lens.
1 h 30
Fri
Documentation — update images; composition sheet.
1 h 20
Week 8 — Theory Link (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Research Question — frame core ‘Designing Society’ claim.
1 h 40
Tue
Sources — pick 3–5 texts; key passages; page notes.
2 h
Wed
Quote Annotation — 6–8 quotations + commentary.
2 h
Thu
Outline — Intro / Analysis / Interpretation / Conclusion.
1 h 30
Fri
Abstract — ~1-page summary for approval.
1 h 10
Week 9 — Review & Exhibition Prep I (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Image Selection — visuals for A2 layout.
1 h 40
Tue
Layout Design — balanced images + texts.
2 h
Wed
Peer Feedback — present; collect comments.
2 h
Thu
Revision — integrate feedback; tighten copy.
1 h 30
Fri
Reflection — ½-page on progress Block 1→3.
1 h 10
Block 4 — Implementation (Weeks 10–12) · 25 h

Goal: Realise object/product; document making. Outcome: Finished prototype + 6-min media + A2 panel.

Week 10 — Implementation I (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Technical Planning — materials/tools/safety/budget.
1 h 40
Tue
Material Preparation — acquire & test joints/finishes.
2 h
Wed
Construction 1 — build core structure.
2 h
Thu
Documentation — photos; note problems/solutions.
1 h 30
Fri
Evaluation — check stability/function vs concept.
1 h 10
Week 11 — Implementation II (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Construction 2 — complete remaining components.
1 h 40
Tue
Surface & Detailing — texture/color/joining.
2 h
Wed
Lighting/Setting Test — controlled light photography.
2 h
Thu
Short Video — capture 30–60 sec clips.
1 h 30
Fri
Reflection — ~200 words on material learnings.
1 h 10
Week 12 — Implementation III + Media Prep (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Finishing Touches — assemble; presentability check.
1 h 40
Tue
Photography — high-res series (overview + details).
2 h
Wed
Video Editing — 6-minute edit with titles.
2 h
Thu
A2 Panel — integrate photos/stills into final layout.
1 h 30
Fri
Self-Assessment — check rubric; note improvements.
1 h 10
Block 5 — Exhibition & Reflection (Weeks 13–15) · 25 h

Goal: Curate final show; submit paper. Outcome: Installed exhibition + term paper (10–12 pp).

Week 13 — Curation Planning (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Space Mapping — sketch space; plan placement/flow.
1 h 40
Tue
Narrative Sequence — entry→focus→exit; ~250-word curatorial text.
2 h
Wed
Label Design — captions and credits.
2 h
Thu
Checklist & Logistics — transport/installation list.
1 h 30
Fri
Dry Run — mock-install or digital layout.
1 h 10
Week 14 — Final Exhibition + Online Release (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Installation Day 1 — objects + lighting setup.
1 h 40
Tue
Installation Day 2 — mount A2 panels/labels; sightlines.
2 h
Wed
Documentation — photograph exhibition.
2 h
Thu
Online Upload — edit/publish “Making Of”.
1 h 30
Fri
Preview & Opening — gather visitor feedback.
1 h 10
Week 15 — Reflection & Submission (≈ 8 h 20 min)
Mon
Paper Finalization — proofread; citations/bibliography.
1 h 40
Tue
Printing & Submission — export PDF; print/submit.
2 h
Wed
Portfolio Completion — A2 spreads + video link.
2 h
Thu
Oral Reflection Prep — key learning points.
1 h 30
Fri
Final Critique Session — group discussion & notes.
1 h 10

Workload guide: ~25 h per 3-week block (≈ 8 h 20 min/week ≈ 1 h 40 min/day).

Tomaso Carnetto
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