project proposal as of 1/29

For Play

Concept
I have long been interested in language and word play and the multiple meanings words can bring to conversation. I became inspired after a conversation a friend and I had in which there was confusion when one of us mentioned “mailmen”. I laughed, thinking my friend had meant “male men”. I was struck by the realization of never having thought of the confusion that could result with this word. The English language is immensely confusing, even for native speakers. There are continuous instances of miscommunication resulting from the absurdity and whimsy of the play with words. I plan on researching the varied and multiple aspects of word play; including puns, spoonerisms, rhetorical excursions, absurdisms, idioms and other figures of speech that make the English language complex and interesting. Upon completing my research on the broad topic of word play, I plan directing my focus to at least four different types word play and responding to these devices by making objects which incorporate these themes.

Audience
Lovers of language, the dictionary, and word play.
Designers/design-minded people with an interest in typography and the printed word.
Fans of puns, idioms and clever wit

Subject
Outcomes are likely to focus on short snippets of words which accumulate into a larger body of work with a driving theme. e.g. 2 objects/products incorporating double-meaning utilizing homonyms and homophones, a poster identifying idioms and colloquial phrases, an audio piece showcasing how people say “Baltimore”, a book of several typographic studies on verbal wit and whimsy

Project Goals
Share my interest in words and language with others
Bring wit and humor to everyday communication
Ignite a conversation about the meaning of language through the absurdity of language
Create a cohesive body of work with a driving theme with the ultimate goal of driving my future work

Project Influences
Authors — Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, Mark Twain
Comedians — George Carlin (seven dirty words), Groucho Marx (famous quotes),
Abbott & Costello (who’s on first)
Design — Push Pin Studios (visual word play), Yee Haw Industries (storetry), Jack Fisher (email books), Andrew Byrom (sculptural typeface designs), Stephanie DeArmond (sculptural letterforms and humorous phrases on objects), Yulia Brodyskaya (paper-cut typographic illustraions), Keetra Dean Dixon (comforters, half wishes half lies, objects of co-depedence)

Research and Source Materials
Design Humor: The Art of Graphic Wit by Steven Heller
Conundrums: Typographic Conundrums by Harry Pearce
Aspects of Verbal Humor in English by Richard Alexander
The Oxford Guide to Word Games by Tony Augarde