OUGD601 COP 3 Developing Dissertation Focus and Contacting Professionals

After a meeting with Amber in which I gain a bit of directional advice about my subject area, inwent away and thought about the reading I have done and how I would define craft.

I thought specifically about my reading of Ruskin and the way he defines gothic architecture to varying degrees rather that something that is or isn't.

I have taken this methodological approach and defined the different things that accumulate to make varying degrees of craft.

These break down into (in no particular order)

- The freedom of the creator or craftsman.

- Traditional methods.

- Units of removal between the craft an and the final product of the process.

- A role of social learning and passing of skills from person to person.

- Truth to materials.

- Striving to create the best possible outcome.

- Historical awareness.

From these came some subject areas that might be relevant.

- Social learning in terms of Web 2.0 (David gauntlet and 'making is connecting')

- Craft aesthetic can be quite DIY, but part of what defines craft is skill, this seems like an oxymoron.

- Can craft be new and innovative.

- What role does the economic state of the country play on the popularity of craft?

- Is nostalgia pivitol in craft?

I have also started contacting professionals in this area that might have an interesting opinion to express. The first of these is someone I have made contact with before Phylecia Sutherland who has her own wedding stationary business that she runs from him, printing all her own pieces and mixing all her own ink.

The second person is Rodger from papercut bindery, who was suggested by Amber and creates beautifully crafted books.