Taxonomy Proposal

After in-class discussions and self-editing I have come to a more conclusive layout and proposal for my Taxonomy of Marks. To begin, the format measurements will remain 6" x 6" and be put into an accordion style book made with black matte board. The paper I have chosen is a pale yellow/cream, thick stock (but still able to accommodate an easy fold) of Canson with a small, but noticeable, amount of texture to give a more organic aesthetic. There will be ten pages (eleven including the title page and no table of contents) to the accordion book with two separate pages beneath each fold. Each with one page a) divided into two columns displaying denotative words on the left and connotative words on the right that will then flip over to b) displaying 3 different mark examples of that word, shown in the same column on the previous page, totaling the marks on part b to equal 6. (Originally, I had planned on displaying 8 marks on the inside page but the format crowded the page in a negative way and the marks seemed lose their individual appreciation in close proximity each other). As this book is meant to be a separate assignment from the haiku, the inclusion of both text of the haiku as well as the order of the marks has changed (Order Shown Below). Because of the accordion style binding, flipping the "a" page up is problematic due to the adjacent page set. This is solved by the decision to have the "a" page fold out to the left with the "b" page adhered to the board. I have included an example of my format (to the left) with the text set in Goudy. (Also shown, an example of my handwriting which I was considering to use in place of Goudy. However, I think that the typeface is probably the better choice). The classification of denotative and connotative will be printed next to the correlating word in the corresponding column for each mark. It will be organized on how the words relate to each other on each page ( Ex/ tears make one feel shame). After realizing that this was separate from the haiku and the list of words I had built during the beginning of the process, I have expanded on my list and chose a few new words described by different marks.

Denotative > Connotative:

1. Grass > Regenerate
2. Smudge > Pollute
3. Tears > Shame
4. Hands > Tainted
5. Moist > Vaporize
6. Water > Soothing
7. Washcloth > Dirty
8. Sponge > Absorbed
9. Condensation > Gloom
10. Soap > Refresh

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I feel prepared for the Taxonomy, however, I also feel that the design is simple (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but has the big possibility for being too boring. I have been searching for different methods of embossing the text, however I don't know if it will be possible without either a stamp, custom plate or special ink. I feel that there should be some other element incorporated into the design--possibly an analog element--however, I am still searching for what this may be. Also, some of my connotative words might need to be reconsidered because of their denotative nature.

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To organize the marks I have been working on over the last two weeks in Visual Communication, I plan on classifying specific categories based on the linear evolution of the lines in my haiku as well as the required denotative and connotative characteristics. (This also takes the form of a gradient from lighter to darker marks as my haiku starts with water and ends with "dark hands"). To begin, the 6”x 6” accordion style book will be made with black matte board and the marks will be scanned, then printed on a heavy stock of cream paper. The book will have two mark sets (each containing 5-10 marks) per page (11 total pages including the title and table of contents), however, marks seen together will correspond with a specific line of the haiku, therefore, relating to each other on the same page. Although there will only be 10 total pages of marks included in the book, each page will have two facets—one glued to the board, the other, folding down from the top of the book and opening into a printed catalog of marks on both sides of the page. The front of this page will have the denotative form of the marks that relate to the connotative marks seen when the page is flipped as well as its word classification printed in black in Goudy Std. The book cover will include the title "Taxonomy" in black on the lower right corner with one almost transparent mark to usher the viewer into the taxonomy. The table of contents will follow the cover and include text on the right page with a large print (a good view of the texture) of the same mark used on the cover to avoid a blank page on the left side. (This chosen mark will give the feel of the haiku as a whole).

Table of Contents:

Denotative:

Washcloth

Condensation

Grass

Moist

Hands

Smudge

Tainted

Soap

Sponge

Water

Connotative:

Clean

Tears

Puddle

Vaporize

Current

Refresh

Pollute

Shame

Atmosphere

Regenerate