Blog Post #5: Reflections

 For me I found creating this research proposal rather challenging. While I really understood the theory of my subject and do firmly believe that comics as a form of technical communication will benefit an arts nonprofit if they were to use them, it is an entirely different process to actually design research questions that will produce the research outcomes I want. I think I have some great ideas about what the framework for developing this type of research might look like, but I really drew a blank when it came to developing what questions I might ask if I were engaging in focus groups, or conducting an interview related to my topic. My research proposal is arguing that an arts nonprofit should work with members of their respective communities to produce a comic book. This comic book will be a how-to guide for attendees to understand contemporary art spaces, explaining how to interact in a gallery space, etc. A comic book will allow the public to visually see themselves in a space they view as elitist, or unwelcoming. I believe that an artifact like this will make an impact at arts nonprofits and will help democratize visual arts spaces, such as galleries, or art museums in general. Now, this may seem like a mouthful, but perhaps that is why it is hard for me to draft questions related to doing research on this topic. Based on my research, this is certainly an area where more research is needed, as very little has been done and the majority of it is document analysis. I do think this is an area where I can produce some research for the benefit of the TWDR field and the field of Arts Administration, so we can all better understand how using comics as a form of participatory community development may bring about some type of positive social change. 

In relation to the field of TWDR, I am actually thoroughly enjoying this program and I am having a lovely time learning about this field! I feel digital rhetoric suits me well as it draws on visual rhetoric, art theory, even game design theory according the Douglas Eyman (2020), and so I am able to draw on my previous academic and work experience in a way that finally feels like I am moving forward in terms contributing to a field a study.

I have loved this class and enjoyed working with you all! Thanks for the feedback!