Discuss your choice of the above as a group – give reasons.
The concept for the most part dictated the materials, tools and equipment employed in the project. Research and experimentation informed the process.
Research
Video
I thought this was very cleverly done. From Design Taxi via a Youtube channel Bauman Ber Rivnay who seems to work for Satchi & Satchi Isreal ("The Lovemarks Company" - of which there is a reference to near the end of the video). The link rabbit hole on this one left me a little confused at first. The video, while categorised on Youtube as 'Educational' and in fact coming across as that for the most part in its content, is in fact an element of the company's own 'integrated advertising' strategy.
Images
My logo in physical form. This was constructed from 30mm square pine wood. The tricky part was cutting a 63.2 degree angle with a drop saw. I needed to use the drop saw to keep the sections consistently square and most do not cut angles greater than 45 degrees. The solution was to cut a 26.8 degree piece which was then fixed to the target section at a right angle and used as a guide. The sections were then joined with internal blind nails and glue. Further work will include painting and finishing to a high gloss. The piece will then be photographed in various situations for inclusion in other branding materials like the business card and flyer. The object will also be a part of the exhibition.
Reflection
For the most what I do creatively is driven by the intent. I have a fairly wide skill set and materials experience, which affords me an equally wide range of solutions to my creative questions. The reasons why I chose to work with wood for the Myatt Media logo were both practical and conceptual. I have a good working knowledge of how to work with wood, the materials (wood, glue & nails) and the tools (drop saw, drill, builders square & iphone running a protractor application). These represent the practical reasons for the choice. Conceptually I wanted the object to have a sense of of strength and solidity, while maintaining a certain warmth.
Todays class built on last weeks exploration of the exhibition invite theme. My knowledge of the future allows me to know that this exercise had a real outcome in the past, but that is no longer so.
Discuss your choice of the above as a group – give reasons.
The concept for the most part dictated the materials, tools and equipment employed in the project. Research and experimentation informed the process.
Concept Realisation (part 2)
Clear rendition of 3 headline variations for Exhibition 2012
Layout your version of all 3 designs decided on in the group exercise
Show your results to the class
Blog screenshots of your work
Further to last weeks exercise to design an invite for the exhibition this exercise elaborated on the initial concept. I opted to continue using my base image and rework the title and tag based on it. The second image below using the word 'sparks' was not a great leap from last weeks 'bright'. The third design based on the word 'threads' required that the image be desaturated and inverted.
Research
Video
Insert video and comment
Images
I could not possibly resist posting this. A media and subject which are both close to my heart. This came in via RSS from My Modern Met and is the work of Jasper Branse (DeviantART).
Reflection
This week elaborated on last week and demonstrated a process by which a concept realisation could in effect be catalogued. This is important so that a project and its progress can be mapped. In turn, this is also important so that the general nature of projects can also be mapped. This is especially important for your accountant so that they can tell you which projects to focus on.
The inversion theme continued this week. This time in the sense that the process from 2D was duplicated in 3D in reverse.
Group Exercise
PRACTICAL – Design Communication
Choose one design from last week’s 2 sketched designs (sports & fashion).
Make a list of 2 key concepts you are trying to communicate. - Use a classic or retro style. - Use colour palette to represent sports team.
Make a list of 2 key feelings your trying to communicate. - A sense of movement and energy. - Happy simplicity.
REFINE your design concept to communicate these 4 things.
Prepare to present your communication skills to the class.
Upload all this content to your blog.
I chose the sports design from last week, pictured to the right. The classic racing stripe was chosen to represent energy and of course at the same time a retro styling. The design was reduced to a palette requiring the application of just two colours for the sake of simplicity. The colours have also been kept bright in order to convey a happy disposition.
GROUP EXERCISE – Concept Investigation
Using a scale of 1 – 10, each group assigns a quantitative rating for all the designs, based on the three criteria below;
Clear rendition of 2 key concepts. - Katelyn 5, Queenie 6, Andre 4, Jacob , Myself 8.
Clear rendition of 2 key feelings. - Katelyn 6, Queenie 5, Andre 5, Jacob , Myself 8.
Immediate visual appeal. - Katelyn 5, Queenie 5, Andre 4, Jacob , Myself 8.
Research
Video
Insert video and comment
Images
This is an image failure for a couple of reasons. First the rotation is too fast for my liking. Second and the most obvious is that blogger does not seem to like animated gifs with transparent areas. This will however be the basis of the logo that I use on the website with the plan being that it rotates a quarter turn on mouse over and rotates back on mouse off. After a little research into achieving this effect it seems that this will not be possible without employing some javascript. This was not my ideal situation but was necessary to avoid the image reseting awkwardly.
Reflection
Key words for this week include 'refine' and 'concept investigation'.
Todays class followed the same quantitative rating system from last week.
Group Exercise
PRACTICAL – Design Communication
DESIGN a logo mockup on a DL for the student exhibition.
Make a list of 2 key concepts you are trying to communicate. - The sense of an energetic creative process. - Colour sympathetic to the region.
Make a list of 2 key feelings your trying to communicate. - Excitement. - Curiosity.
REFINE your logo to communicate these 4 things. -
Prepare to present your communication skills to the class.
Upload all this content to your blog.
This is the draft I came up with in class. Moving the design forward would include the dates, opening times and additional logos across the bottom. I would also consider capturing some some actual light writing for the logo and tagline, 'Bright - New Work'.
GROUP EXERCISE – Concept Investigation
Using a scale of 1 – 10, each group assigns a quantitative rating for all the designs, based on the three criteria below;
Clear rendition of 2 key concepts. - Katelyn 7, Queenie 5, Andre 4, Jacob , Myself 7.
Clear rendition of 2 key feelings. - Katelyn 6, Queenie 6, Andre 4, Jacob , Myself 7.
Immediate visual appeal. - Katelyn 6, Queenie 6, Andre 5, Jacob , Myself 8.
Research
Video
This is the second animated render out of blender. I use the video output as scratch versions to see how the general flow is working. The video here was exported with Blogger in mind and so has been shrunk to 320x240, leaving it a 1.5MB mov. I then tweaked the html to enlarge it 560x460 to fit my layout, which didn't help but you get the idea. Blender is a vector environment, so the export size and resolution is dependant on requirement. It is 6 seconds or 142 frames long and took about twenty seconds to render, obviously higher size and resolution equals longer render times. I'm still not completely happy with the lighting and the rotation will get a couple of variants. To prepare the animation for web deployment I will remove the background and export the individual frames as PNG, import to Photoshop as layers, create frames from layers (animation window), edit a little and export as animated GIF from the save for web and devices dialogue.
Images
One last picture and then I'll change topic. Just wanted to share my workspace layout for animation in Blender (click to enlarge). This is of course the twin screen set up.
Reflection
We are certainly getting toward the pointy end of the course as the pressure is building. I enjoyed the pressurised set up of todays class in that we had a short amount of time to develop and present a concept for the exhibition invite. I imagine that this type of approach to a project is common in real world scenarios, I need this designed and I need it yesterday!
The class format here was turned upside down in that the Practical (individual) was followed by the Exercise (group). The purpose of this is to show that the design process works in both ways simultaneously. The blind rating system featured this week based on the visceral responses of our peers to predetermined criteria was a surprise.
Group Exercise
Practical - Design Perspectives
Based on your favourite 3D design, draft and label 2 variations in your blog
Design 01: Design in a style that appeals to a community sports group
Design 02: Design in a style that appeals to a fashion label
Draft in your blog with hand drawings and notes
Give each work a NAME and DESCRIPTION (max 50 words)
So this was a twenty minute exercise and I think it is fairly obvious what is going on visually here. The sports version is simple and brightly coloured emphasising the number (it also has a racing stripe). The fashion one is elaborate with a splash of colour, hair and feathers. My first design I give the name 'Racing 01' and the second 'The Peacock' (image source may be found here).
The purpose of this practical was to take a current design that we have been working on and think about it from a different perspective. By doing this the design is forced forward through other design alternatives. In effect kick starting the creative process. This is followed by a similar rating system as given in the group exercise for 2D. I was not fond of this process as while I am sure it may occur in some form in the real world, I am also sure that it does not occur devoid of any actual critical discourse. Given the time restraint this worked as a kind of origination pressure test as well as the purpose outlined above.
Exercise - Changing Perspectives
Using a scale of 1 – 10, each group assigns a quantitative rating for all the designs, based on the criteria below;
Accuracy in addressing the brief. - Cherill 9, Queenie ?, June ?, Katelyn ?, Andre ?.
Immediate visual appeal. - Cherill 7, Queenie ?, June ?, Katelyn ?, Andre ?.
Cross generational appeal. - Cherill 7, Queenie ?, June ?, Katelyn ?, Andre ?.
Artistic depth. - Cherill 8, Queenie ?, June ?, Katelyn ?, Andre ?.
With limited time we were instructed to complete this task in our own time. The process employed here was to apply quantitative results to subjective criteria. As per the task requirement - I give myself a 6 for item 4.
Research
Video
Insert video and comment
Images
Below are images of Cherill and I working on the pattern for the bicycle helmet cover.
Reflection
While I was not a big fan of the blind rating system, I will be looking at (and possibly collating) the results. The inversion of the class format was a clever way to show the movement of influence as occurring in both directions and I am sure this will be elaborated on later.
The class today operated in reverse to the previous weeks. The Practical (individual) was followed by the Exercise (group) and I'm guessing that this was to demonstrate that the design process operates in multiple directions at once. Featured this week was a rating system of our peers which I will comment more on in reflection.
Group Exercise
Design Perspectives
Draft 2 logo designs for your own design business.
Design 01: Design in a style that appeals to a design Industry client.
Design 02: Design in a style that appeals to a non-profit arts organisation.
Draft in your blog with hand drawings and notes.
Then draft your 2 designs in Illustrator or Photoshop if you have time.
Incorporate the TAGLINE into both designs.
Design 01 is for my design company. The tagline for this company could possibly be 'Design from YOUR Perspective'. Design 02 could have a tag line like 'Colour in YOUR Community' (see design below). I am not sure that tag lines are my strong suit.
The design company logo after a bit of action in Illustrator. It still needs reworking with gradients and highlights, but you get the general idea. I am also going to look at working from scratch with the 3D rendering tools in Illustrator as well as Blender where I can do some animation.
To the left I have worked with the 3D tools in Illustrator, changing the angle slightly and employing the font 'Roadgeek Series C'. Below is the first render out of Blender, where the lighting needs some tweaking. The advantage of Blender is that the logo is now a 3D object that can be rendered with perspective and animated. It is possible to create perspectival images in Illustrator, it just complicated things when combining the meshes for multiple objects as was required here.
This was by far the best option for what I want to achieve. Further work will include changing the lighting, giving the the material a bluish brushed metal quality and of course animating it to slowly rotate.
Changing Perspectives
Using a scale of 1 – 10, each group assigns a quantitative rating for all the designs, based on the criteria below;
Accuracy in addressing the brief. - Cherill 8, Queenie 4, June 9, Katelyn 6, Andre 5.
Immediate visual appeal. - Cherill 7, Queenie 5, June 9, Katelyn 6, Andre 6.
Cross generational appeal. - Cherill 6, Queenie 6, June 8, Katelyn 5, Andre 6.
Suitability for print. - Cherill 8, Queenie 5, June 8, Katelyn 6, Andre 5.
Suitability for web. - Cherill 8, Queenie 6, June 9, Katelyn 6, Andre 6.
Monochromatic suitability. - Cherill 6, Queenie 5, June 8, Katelyn 6, Andre 6.
Simplicity. - Cherill 7, Queenie 7, June 8, Katelyn 5, Andre 5.
Research
Video
I found this tutorial particularly useful with my recent return to Blender. Cgboorman has an excellent collection on Youtube and I shall be collecting all of his videos. The main thing I gained from this video was learning how to relocate an origin point.
Images
Some sample images from the Blender website gallery, which can be found here.
Reflection
While I am sure versions of the numeric rating system featured this week do happen in real world situations, I was not convinced of its value in the context of todays class. I can see it being of use where a group of designers are working on the one concept as a democratic way of finding a focus (which in fact is an element of the IDEO strategy). I also believe it would also be more effective in combination with a more thorough group critique, although the time constraints of our time together may have been a factor here. It was an interesting approach.
There have been a few version releases of Blender since I last used it with any depth, which was version 2.4 on a Powerbook with an older single button Apple mouse. Currently I am running 2.6 on an iMac with a full keyboard and 3 button Logitech mouse, which is important for a couple of reasons. The experience of using Blender almost solely with a trackpad and limited keyboard is for the most part frustrating. The program has a heavy bias toward keyboard shortcuts and a 3 button mouse is an essential navigation tool. My point in mentioning this is that it is one thing to have the right software, but it needs to be backed up with the right hardware. It was also surprising how much the program had evolved in 0.2 versions, so the more you use it the more familiar it will stay.
Todays class was about defining assumptions in order to inform the design process. A group exercise and discussion was followed by a practical based on our own work.
Group Exercise
Challenge Assumptions
One student presents 3D design concept to the class – 2 mins
Open discussion on challenging design concept assumptions – 3 mins 3. Repeat twice
All students blog your observations – 10 mins
Myself, Cherill and Queenie presented our recent 3D design concepts. I presented the design concept that I blogged about last week. The primary concern raised about it was in relation to safety and the exposed wiring, with particular regard regard to the moist environment that we all live in most of the time (wet season). Possible solutions presented included insulation and spray on latex compounds. Cherill presented the project her, Katelyn and I have been working in Collaboration being the bicycle helmet cover. We are pretty much all over that and the main issue raised was in relation to cost. The research and break down for that can be found here. Finally was Queenie presenting here design concept from Collaboration for an illustrated children's book. The most interesting point to come out of discusion about her project was to make the book bi-lingual as she is originally from Taiwan.
PRACTICAL – Design challenge / reflect & refine
Choose your most recent 3D design concept from all your current works. In your blog make a list of 2 assumptions about your design. Challenge both of these assumptions (100 words minimum). Suggest 2 refinements to solve these challenges (100 words minimum).
Here I will continue with my design concept for a steampunk monitor hack. I will be drawing my challenges and refinements directly from the group exercise above. My first assumption is that the design is safe - I have been pulling electronics apart for some time now and I know which bits to not touch, besides which the exposed wiring of concern is on the back of the unit. The second assumption is that it will function well as as a monitor extension.
How will the wet season affect the exposed circuitry and wiring. Will exposer to humidity impact the screens performance or be detrimental to the safety of the screen. Will this further complicate the cleaning of the screen.
Considering that the screen is reorientated physically will this complicate configuration. Given the relative age of the screen will it provide an acceptable optical match to the current screen.
In response to the first set of challenges. Further insulation with grommets or spray on latex compounds are the solution to humidity affecting the performance or safety of the screen. In actual use I find cleaning with a low powered vacuum to be an acceptable alternative for cleaning.
For the second set of challenges a good working knowledge of your system preferences will be the solution for the most part. Trial and error found that for some reason rotating the screen 180 degrees as opposed to 270 was easier on system preferences, so test the configuration before you screw it to the desk.
Research
Video
Insert video
Images
Andrea Petrachi's work came to me via an RSS feed from Design You Trust. You can probably see that it is his reuse of redundant technology which appeals to me. Also calling himself Himatic, he considers his work as, "...a symbol of our out-of-control desire to buy things" (from the website linked above).
