You Are Here. [Person. Place. Object]

Design research and history are an integral part of engaging with the world as a designer. Research into history helps make informed decisions on projects that have a high impact on the community and creates long term benefits. This project is structured for students who have taken the History of Design course and have been introduced to community-based research and archives. In the History of Design course, we have covered local and community-based history and the emergence and decline of postcards.

This case study is based on the prompt: As a designer, it is important to be aware of where you are and how history affects the way you think. The goal of this project is to engage with a place, person or object that highlights the state you’re in.

Based on the lecture and presentations on the growth and decline of postcards in History of Design, design half a dozen postcards to highlight aspects of the cities and or narrate stories of the state’s history. The postcards will be packaged together as a cohesive set in conjunction with a commemorative state stamp design. Because many such projects are being generated, you are not expected to produce the perfect umbrella postcard set, covering everything—you can focus as you wish, so long as your take on the project is grounded in research.

This project teaches students how to access archives, research community values and most importantly uncovered the hidden or underrepresented narratives of each state.