tutorial

I had a useful tutorial, we mostly went through the structure for the rest of my essay - the first chapter needs to lay the groundwork of the conditions in russia which lead to the revolution and all the amazing artwork to be created which I have done. 

But I need to have more of an argument within the essay - what am I trying to say, what is the point of the essay? What we came up with was:

I am arguing that the short time in Russia immediately after the revolution was one of the most powerful and pivotal periods in terms of creativity and innovation; that has had a direct influence on design for the subsequent decades.

Also, the essay needs to be split into more chapters, 4-5 rather than 3, which might make it easier to organise because at the moment my 2nd chapter has lots of different information in it which could definitely be split apart.
Vague outline of new structure:

Introduction (500?)

1 - history (1500)
what were the unique conditions that had an effect on creativity? what was the political situation in russia, why did the revolution have to happen

2 - innovation, propaganda, revolutionary (1500)
cheap printing, unlimited reproductions and the effect it had on propaganda - importance of posters in other areas of history
initial steps Lenin took in terms of propaganda
pick out key posters
specific persuasion techniques - what is it that manipulates us

3 - synergy with culture (1500)
Lenin's vision of communist visual identity
'New Economic Policy' - why there was now a need for advertising
rodchenko's adverts
other areas propaganda went into; kids books, board games, textiles, fashion
burst of energy to create this innovative work, to carve a new path in terms of design

4 - stalin (1500)
where all the innovation stopped, why did everything change once stalin came into rule (brief history) the purges on the old bolshevik party, on intellectuals and artists
what were the new conditions
stalin and lenin cult - big brother
compare how revolutionary artists were now having to work
compare products to the ones rodchenko designed
propaganda now (socialist realism) 
unfinished constructivist projects symbolic of the failure of constructivism, communism and the revolution; it was merely a utopian dream

5 - influences / conclusion (700)
find traces of propaganda today, were have they taken influence from (pick out exact pieces)
although they have different meanings in todays society, the aesthetic has been extremely influential 
shepherd fairey, korean propaganda, album covers, poster art etc. 
although the theory of communism didn't work, it can't be denied that the work that came out of such a short period of time has still been the source of inspiration and reference for graphic design almost 100 years since the revolution. It may have not been their aim at all but it is definitely something to be admired. 


In terms of practical, I'm still a bit unsure about where to go. I definitely shouldn't be illustrating my essay, so creating a narrative book documenting the revolution isn't the right direction. I can't ignore politics, it dictates our society and there is a lot going on at the moment with Corbyn. So I should try and relate my work to current issues, possibly student riots?
Teresa suggested looking at things like climate change, tracking, industrial farming and then maybe apply the constructivist aesthetic to illustrate it - maybe make a series of posters promoting sustainable living for the people.
I need to have a think and do some research into current issues and by next week for the practical tutorial I needs:
- more relevant sketchbook work
- write myself a brief with the type of work I aim to make, what format and what themes I want to explore