The word manifesto comes from the Latin manifestus meaning literally that may be laid hold of by the hand. Manus means hand and Festus comes from fendo: to dash against.

Values/Manifesto Assignment
WHAT IS A MANIFESTO?
The word manifesto comes from the Latin manifestus meaning literally that may be laid hold of by the hand. Manus means hand and Festus comes from fendo: to dash against. Eventually it came to stand for a document, signed by the master of a vessel at the place of lading which was to be exhibited at the custom’s house. The manifesto contained a descriiption of the ship and her cargo, the destination of the ship and the goods. Accordingly the word manifest means To show plainly, to display, or Not hidden, clear to view; easily understood. The word manifesto is therefore also used for a public declaration of intent by a sovereign or government.
AIMS OF A MANIFESTO
Artists have used the manifesto to accomplish many things: to declare an opinion about the field, institutions, or cultural attitudes. They can also use a manifesto to discuss broader themes in their work, or the values they apply within their own practice.
To investigate broader issues affecting an artistic practice and to begin to mould a set of personal values and attitudes toward the field.
To deepen the student’s grasp of the implications of creative decisions specifically with regard to how those choices affect the perception and experience of their work.
FORM AND STRUCTURE
In form the manifesto is a product where the written word exists in heightened tension with visual rhetoric. Images, slogans, short texts, expressive typography all come together to build an image of conviction about a certain issue and to translate that conviction into strategies for practice.
The objective is to formulate, write and give visual form to a set of well thought out personal convictions about some issue in architecture. Those convictions should be concerned with the tension between theory and practice.
The idea of a manifesto is to make it visually and linguistically compelling. Also it is short. Evidence is not too important here. The accent is on a compelling statement of intent.
Assignment:
Answer the following questions:
Describe what is visually appealing to you. Use adjectives and specific descriiptions. In your opinion, what qualities do you like in your field of practice (objects, spaces, buildings, graphics, artwork)?
As a designer/maker/artist, what are your core principles? What do you value?
How do you see your own practice fitting into the world is it is now, as it was, or as it will be in the future? What about the condition in which we live inspires you; or, what about the world are you addressing in your own work?