Understanding Research

RESEARCH FOR DESIGNERS: A GUIDE TO METHODS AND PRACTICE (GJOKO MURATOVSKI)

Visual Research:

A traditional way of visual analysis is 'the good eye' principle, which is best described as 'visual connoisseurship'. It asks the questions, Who commissioned the work? Why was the work commissioned? Who is using this work? How it this work being used etc. Visual connoisseurship also examines compositional and technological modalities of the making of an image, form et, but woth the purpose of identifying the influences of other creators in a particular work. 
 - This all requires a lot of experience, a lot of reading, it can't be done by anyone. 

When collecting data it is important to define an ideological platform that you chose your selection around. This will provide a research focus allowing you to analyse better. 

Images hardly ever appear alone, they're usually accompanied by text. It is important to read this text as it provides more context for the cultures surrounding that image. 

Good visual research tips/advice/checklist:
> To interpret an image, a form or an object is to respond to it.
> Images, objects and forms need to be described and demand interpretation.
> Responsible interpretations present images, forms, and objects in their best rather than their weakest lights.
> Interpretations are persuasive arguments.
> There can be a range of competing and contradictory interpretations of the same image, form or object. 
> No single interpretation is final.
> Interpretations are often guided by feelings.
> An interpretation of a work may not necessarily match what the creator wanted to convey.