Working directly with primary sources such as correspondence, institutional documents and promotional materials, students explore the interrelated processes of uncovering, collecting and categorizing data, and test a range of methodologies derived from disciplines such as anthropology, sociology and material culture. Students will visit a selection of New York’s most significant and esoteric public and private archives, collections and libraries, and be directed to vetted website resources. In a series of workshops students will experiment with different writing styles and continue the work of honing an individual writerly voice and integrating personal experience with objective observation and research. With the shared goal of helping to foster public discussion about design through clear, engaging and illuminating writing, students will be introduced to the protocols and processes of various writing genres such as criticism, features, online posts and discussion, as well as personal and academic essays.