FREE-Design Research-Internet Memes

Richard M. Stallman

General Outline

Central to the "Free Culture" project is the free sharing of knowledge and easy accessibility to culture. An example that demonstrates these principles is the phenomenon of memes.

Within this assignment, we examine both the techniques / themes that are closely associated with these memes and Free Culture in a broader sense and secondly, the qualities of a meme as a campaign strategy. Such themes include copying, remixing, sharing, modularity and collaborative / open design.

Assignment

Design a series consisting of 4 memes (initially based on existing memes). Every week, you will work on a meme that on one hand reflects the content of the theme but on the other hand also apply the technique associated with this theme in your design. Within the design, you will also reflect the political/economical/cultural/legal implications and consequences that stem/lie behind this theme.

Based on the game of exquisite cadaver and chinese whispers, students will hand over their design results for further development by another student during each class exercise. The final result of the assignment is a coherent series of four memes per student, each responding to the theme of the week in a design that reflects the meaning/content. It is important to note that the insights and designs produced should documented on the blog (will upload assignment there once it's finalised) and able to be used in the event campaign strategy.

Main Question

What are the implications and consequences of meme techniques inside and outside 'Free Culture', and how can this be reflected within a design practice.

Notes/goals

• A study of memes and its inherent qualities (in related to intellectual property and free culture)
• Look at ideas of originality, reproductions, and copies
• The research of this assignment can also be used for the other courses involved within this project.
• And more specifically towards the development of a meme-like-campaigne
• cycle of practical research in class --> develop meme at home and so on

Planning

Week 0 - 8 May /// Kick-off week

Introduction and general outline of assignment.

Homework: collect 3 memes that relate to the theme of the 'Free Culture' project. You will use these as a starting point for your own design! Find at least 3 definitions of memes (including references or sources), and re-phrase your own.

Week 1 - 15 May /// Meme & copy/versions (replication without change, plagiarism, piracy, imitation (replication)

Content: Discuss homework and different aspects of meme.

Exercise: play a game of exquisite cadaver based on homework collected material

Homework: develop meme in relation to copy

Week 2 - 22 May /// remix (combination of things, changing the context, appropriation)

Content: Discuss homework and theme copy

Exercise: play a game/do exercise in relation to remix based on homework/ collected material

Homework: further develop a meme in relation to remix

week 3 - 29 May /// share (social copying and remixing)

Content: Discuss homework and theme remix

Exercise: play a game/do exercise in relation to remix based on homework/ collected material

Homework: further develop a meme in relation to share

week 4 - 5 June /// modularity

Content: Discuss homework and theme modularity

Exercise: play a game/do exercise in relation to modularity based on homework/ collected material

Homework: further develop a meme in relation to modularity

week 5 - 12 June /// collaboration/open design

Content: Discuss homework and theme open design

Exercise: play a game/do exercise in relation to modularity based on homework/ collected material

Homework: further develop a meme in relation to open design

week 6 - 19 June /// End presentation, exhibition

Details to come

week 7 - 26 June

Final assessment.