Parsons School of Design
Communication Design
PUCD 4205 Core 4: Thesis 1 — CRN XXXX
Fall 2026
Fridays, 9am–2:40pm
Building and Room
Clinton Van Arnam
Email vanarnah@newschool.edu
Course Description
Thesis 1 & Thesis 2 are year-long self-driven investigations into the research, prototyping and design of an identified question, critique, or point of view. It provides an opportunity for design innovation and inquiry through the rigorous research and development of a capstone project, through various pathways across platforms. The goal of the first semester is to research, develop and articulate a thesis concept and create experimental prototypes, including designed presentations of research and process. Thesis 1, in particular, focuses on process, which includes primary and secondary research, ideation, prototyping, documenting and writing about one’s own work. Students will be asked to reflect on how their ideas—as expressed through design—sits alongside historical precedent and shapes culture in the present. It provides an opportunity for visual innovation through the development of a rigorous design process. This includes articulation of research, which contextualizes how one’s work posits itself within larger historical, cultural, social, and technological frameworks. The semester culminates in two finished projects, a written reflection statement, and presentation of work to guest critics.
Course Outline
Weeks 1–4
Students will begin the semester exploring questions: What is Communication Design? Why am I interested in what I’m interested in? What’s important to me as a designer? Why do I make certain decisions around form? How do I move through all steps of a design process: research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, presentation, and reflection? What is my process? How does my approach translate across mediums and contexts? Students will explore these questions through the 256 project and their Living Archive, both of which encourage self-reflection and aim to reveal entry points for their thesis process.
Weeks 4–7
Building on the 256 project, students will begin making a series of prototypes across mediums that suggest how their interests, questions, and critiques translate through their design process. They will practice speaking about their work, sharing resources, and giving feedback to their peers, while connecting their work to broader historical, cultural, social, and technological frameworks.
Weeks 8–11
Students will continue their self-directed thesis process, completing two prototypes across multiple media, aiming to identify a coherent set of ideas, interests, and processes. They will build articulation skills by presenting their work and their process to peers in Week 11 during the thesis exchange.
Weeks 12–15
Responding to the feedback from the exchange, students will refine their prototypes into a thesis proposal. In Week 15, they will present a Thesis Proposal presentation consisting of a brief written thesis statement, their two prototypes, their Living Archive and a work plan for the Spring semester.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- Conceive of ideas and narrow and direct their energies toward a focused direction.
- Develop a design process and working methodology.
- Demonstrate comprehensive awareness of design systems, critical thinking, and historical context.
- Articulate design decisions and concepts for both their own work and the work of others using the language of communication design.
- Refine formal presentation skills.
- Understand type as image and its use in conjunction with image to successfully convey a chosen concept or idea.
- Demonstrate a comprehension of skills, methods, techniques, and processes to typeset for various media.
- Manipulate typographic components in a way that demonstrates knowledge of anatomy, form, space, scale, hierarchy, and composition.
- Demonstrate integrity and respect towards others and the community through cultural literacy and sensitivity to differences.
Assessable Tasks
Students will receive feedback on the following aspects of their process and participation in the course:
Research — Depth of investigation and clarity of post-analysis.
Ideation — Creativity and originality of thinking; appropriateness of response to the original intention or question.
Prototyping — Quality of visual expression.
Iteration — Devotion to craft and attention to detail across typography, form, and layout.
Presentation — Intentionality of public speaking, presentation design, and visual documentation.
Process — Ongoing reflection and criticality with movement through the phases of the design process.
Community — Enthusiasm and responsiveness to others’ work, demonstrated care for other students; appropriate use of the language of design in both describing and critiquing other students’ work.
Grading
Grades will be calculated as follows:
Process — 256 (20%), Prototypes (30%), Thesis Proposal (10%)
Documentation — Living Archive (20%)
Participation — Class Participation (20%)
Policies
All CD classes adhere to the same program and university policies: Attendance, Grading and Work Submission Standards, Program Policies, Making Resources, and University Policies.