2nd Year Critique Write Up

Today in class, we were assigned to go to another year's critique session. The critique I was assigned to was 2nd year. The critique was held in the lobby of the studio building, which I thought was a bit weird of a setting for a final critique. Maybe it was the fact that our class critique was in a classroom in a more formal setting. As the critique began there was no introduction of what the project was or what it was about. Instead, it was just one of the students jumping right in to what there project was and how they made it. I think it would have been better for the class to all be prepared and ready to go at the same time as well as give an introductory of what the project really was about. When the students were asked about there project requirements, or rules they could not really respond. In fact, one student said, "I don't really remember what it said, I just know that we had to give ourselves rules to follow." I don't necessarily think they don't know there assignment, but I think they should have thought about the assignment requirements and how they could get it across to the guests at the critique. It would have also been nice to actually have a handout of the final assignment at the critique so we as guests could look at it.

In looking at the way the students were dressed was impressing. They were all very professionally dressed for the most part. This showed that they were serious about their projects and the critique.

As the critique got underway, we were given explanations and details about the projects. During this, I learned that some people worked in groups while others worked individually. I feel that both ways of working could be fun and beneficial. I am looking forward to both ways of working in the future with projects.

A few projects that stood out to me were Weave and Tension Folding and Dune Formations. Weave and Tension Folding was designed by Jasmine Jones individually. Jasmine used aluminum mesh to create her structure. She created this structure by certain rules evolving around her hand and using a threading, tension motion. It was interesting to hear about her process as well as see process pictures on her display drawing. I also found it interesting that she did multiple models of different approaches before coming up with her final. Some of them were randomly constructed and others based off the rules of measurements of the hands. She chose to make her structure out of a metal like material because of its reflective properties. This was decided because she wanted the structure to reflect light off the water below the structure, etc. I could see here project really being produced in a big city.

The other project I enjoyed seeing was Dune Formations. This project was a group project designed by Justin McNair, Blakeni Walls, and Sharece Ramos. They had a clear acrylic structure between city buildings. This structures form was like the form of movement of a dune of sand. Their concept was to abstractly show natural patterns these dunes create due to the wind. Their idea was to create a spatial experience through light motions and the contrasts of luminosity and silhouettes. The way to do this was to make a structure that would form weaves and shadows onto the earths surface. I enjoyed learning that they constructed the model using a laser cutter, oven, and skewer. It took them around 3 1/2 hours to make. I could also see their project in a big city reproduced to a big scale.

I feel privileged to have attended this critique and talk to 2nd year students because it gives me an idea as to where i am headed and what will be expected of me.

Personal Reflection of Design Visualization

Throughout the semester I learned an enormous amount about drafting, drawing, and layout of compositions. At the start, I will have to admit, it was a bit overwhelming. I wasn't sure how I would do, but I kept motivating myself and telling myself to do my best and that I could do it. Lettering was a challenge and was very frustrating at times, but looking back I feel like it was a good starting point for this major and this course. It taught me how deal with pressure, stress, and to manage my time. I also learned that small details really do matter and are extremely important.

As moving along from project to project, there were a few that I think were successful. My favorite drawing was my selected object orthographics. For this project, we were allowed to pick any object from our room and were to construct top, front, and side view orthographics of it. I chose to draw a hair clip. I knew this object would be challenging and take extra time and effort, but I felt it was necessary to learn and improve as a drafting student. Multiple drawings were done until the final was made. Looking back at this project I feel a sense of achievement and pride in knowing that the time, effort, and struggles paid off.

Another project that I enjoyed learning about was perspectives. Learning perspectives and there detail was challenging, but it was worth it. I think I enjoy doing perspectives so much because it is actually looking at something that vanishes. Section cut out perspectives were my favorite because you can actually see inside of a space. I am looking forward to placing objects within the spaces and scale figures. We got to do a little of this with placing two boxes inside of a section perspective as well as a scale figure.

I am glad I was able to go through this class and feel that I am learning and improving in drafting. I think this class has prepared me for class next semester, next year, and the future in my career ahead.

Below is a picture of my most successful and fulfilling project this semester.

Class Throwdown Showdown Drawing

For the last day of Design Visualization 1 we had a drawing competition. For the class, we were put in groups of six. We were to draw a group of people for 15 minutes. For this activity, I chose to draw using a contour method and focused on the outer shapes the people made. I chose to eliminate the chairs and the things that surrounded them so that the viewer could visualize the surrounding to what they wish it to be. Below is a picture of my favorite drawing of the two. I think I could have shown more detail in value and contrast in the people in my drawing, but am satisfied with the simple approach.

 

Here is a fun look at this drawing combined with my other drawing coming through. I like the way the people emerge and gives a "see through" look. It is like some of the people are invisible. 

Luminare Project

As approaching the end of first semester, we were assigned a task of making a luminare that reflected the light phenomenon we research and found in the previous project. My light phenomenon was how light changes throughout the day based of the angles and movement of the sun. In studying this process I took a series of photos of a road going through trees. While taking the photos, I realized that the light changed into three different tones of color. The morning cast a blue tone, midday cast a white tone (but under the trees it appears green because the white light allows the color to reflect out), and in the afternoon an orange cast is shown. By learning so much about these tones of color and how the angles of the sun changes, I wanted to make my luminare interactive so others could learn from it and engage with my light phenomenon. I also wanted to use the three colors blue, green, and orange. In thinking about the sun being a continual cycle of night and day, I decided to have my lights show this by having them be "never-ending" and continue as far as one could see. Below is the process of my development of this luminare and the final product. I hope you learn from it and feel the "never-ending" effect. Enjoy!
P.S.- You may want to look back at previous post of my light phenomenon as well as my first sketch model/inspiration for this interactive luminare project. Below are two pictures of the first sketch model and a picture strip of my light phenomenon.

second model of luminare project process

Inside of luminare showing the set up of lights through reflection of mirror

side angle in daylight showing lights and mirrors

reflection of lights on mirror

After looking and experimenting with models and materials I begin to construct my final product.

Outside of final

The inside of the box... my light effect.

looking in a corner

looking sideways

looking down

the lights

The crack at the top of the box to catch ones attention. It also shows the colors of light.

The box can also be opened for more interaction. One can move the door to different angles to achieve
different effects of the light on the wall. The reflection of lights off the mirror blends the colors
together making a "rainbow/aurora"effect.

 Process of drawing ideas

final drawing to scale using  3/16" = 1' Scale