Design Images Database Project Prescriptive List of Attributes: NCSU Libraries

This list combines attributes from the brainstorming session held Friday, 1 May, 1998 in the School of Design with attributes from the Getty Information Institute's Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). This list differs from an earlier prescriptive list in subsuming some of the attributes from the brainstorming session under broader AAT classes where I saw this as appropriate. The source of terms is shown in the leftmost column, with "D" for those from the brainstorming session, and "AAT" from the Thesaurus. The "Type" column shows the facets defined in the Getty hierarchical structure. These are broad categories of similar attributes useful for providing structure to the list and the retrieval tool as well. The codes in the next column are those of the AAT. The check-off boxes indicate whether or not the attribute is a phrase or number unique to a single record, such as an accession number, whether multiple ("Unique") terms assignable to that attribute may be assigned to the described object, whether the field should be searchable in the database (here "y", and "n" mean "yes" or "no" and "m" equals "maybe") or is merely descriptive, and whether the attribute is applicable to Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Graphic Design, or Industrial Design. Obviously Design faculty will be in a better position to determine this than those of us in the Library. The "Use" column suggests where this attribute might be combined under a broader heading.

Any suggestions for changes to the information on this table may be directed to Charley Pennell, Head, Cataloging Dept., D.H. Hill Library.

TERMSRC	ATTRIBUTE	TYPE	CODE	UNIQUE	REPEAT	SEARCH	ARCH	LANDSCAPE	GRAPHIC	INDUSTRIAL	USEFOR	EXAMPLE
D	Environment	?
D	Design date	Date	1	x		y	x	x	x	x
D	Creation date	Date	1	x		y	x	x	x	x
D	Call number	Identification	2	x		y	x	x	x	x
D	Copyright status	Identification	2	x		n	x	x	x	x
D	URL	Identification	2	x	x	n	x	x	x	x
D	Accession number (key)	Identification	2	x		y	x	x	x	x
D	Title/Name	Identification	2		x	y	x	x	x	x	Brandmark	Sears Tower; Coke
D	Place	Geographic names	3			y	x	x	x	x	TGN	Guggenheim Museum
D	Location	Geographic names	3			y	x	x	x	x	TGN	Ushuaia (Argentina)
AAT	Associated concepts	Associated concepts	BM		x	y	x	x	x	x	Theme; Subject	nudity
AAT	Attributes & properties	Physical	DC		x	y	x	x	x		Scale; Orientation; Description; Size	revolving
AAT	Condition & effects	Physical	DE		x	n	x	x	x	x		insect damage
AAT	Design elements	Physical	DG		x	y	x	x	x	x	Detail; Typology	ripple grain
AAT	Color	Physical	DL		x	m	x	x	x	x		olive brown
AAT	Styles & periods	Styles & periods	FL		x	y	x	x	x	x	Style; School	Romanesque
AAT	People	Agents	HG		x	y	x	x	x	x	Designer; Creator; Architect; Source	bookbinders
AAT	Organizations	Agents	HN		x	y	x	x	x	x	Client; Source; Vendor; Contractor; Firm	park commissions
AAT	Disciplines	Activities	KD		x	y	x	x	x	x		urban design
AAT	Functions	Activities	KG		x	m	x	x	x	x	Purpose	exhibiting
AAT	Events	Activities	KM		x	m	x	x	x	x		cruises
AAT	Physical activities	Activities	KQ		x	m	x	x	x	x		frostbiting
AAT	Processes & techniques	Activities	KT		x	y	x	x	x	x	Printing method; Construction method; Process	varnishing
AAT	Materials	Materials	MT		x	y	x	x	x	x	Materials	marbled calf
AAT	Object groupings	Objects	PC		x	y	x	x	x	x	Object	fonds
AAT	Object genres	Objects	PE		x	y	x	x	x	x	Genre	forgeries
AAT	Components	Objects	PJ		x	y	x	x	x	x	Object; Part	royal doors
AAT	Settlements & landscapes	Objects	RD		x	y		x	x		Object	forests
AAT	Built complexes & districts	Objects	RG		x	y	x	x	x	x	Object	justice centers
AAT	Single-built works	Objects	RK		x	y					Building type	cathedrals
AAT	Open spaces & site elements	Objects	RM		x	y	x	x			Object	bicycle paths
AAT	Furnishings	Objects	TC			y			x	x	Object	Adirondack chairs
AAT	Costume	Objects	TE			y			x		Object	shooting jackets
AAT	Tools and equipment	Objects	TH		x	y					Object	flat burnishers
AAT	Weapons & ammunition	Objects	TK		x	y			x	x	Object	scimitars
AAT	Measuring devices	Objects	TN			y	x	x	x	x	Object	transits
AAT	Containers	Objects	TQ		x	y	x	x	x	x	Object	baskets
AAT	Sound devices	Objects	TT		x	y					Object	trumpets
AAT	Recreational artifacts	Objects	TV			y	x	x	x	x	Object	kaleidoscopes
AAT	Transportation vehicles	Objects	TX			y			x	x	Object	galleons
AAT	Visual works	Objects	VC			y			x		Object	uki yo-e
AAT	Exchange media	Objects	VK			m			x		Object	postage stamps
AAT	Information forms	Objects	VW		x	m	x	x	x	x	Object	crew lists

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Design Images Database Project prescriptive list of attributes