Sunday, February 27, 2011
Spat: Exhibit Breakdown
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Spat: Corbusier updated copy
Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris was born in Switzerland in 1887. He was a zany kind of fellow. So zany in fact that at some point in the 20's he decided to start going by the name Le Corbusier (meaning "The Raven" in French). In addition to developing his self-inflicted bird name, Le Corbusier also created houses as a means of survival. As an architect, he lived by five general Utopian-type rules that you will learn morn about as you meander through this exhibit. The imagery on the walls will reflect a Bird's eye view of his five points, and the iPad provided for you will show you examples of reality.
Roof Garden:
The roof gardens for Le Corbusier were not merely gardens, but mini paradises that existed for a multitude of reasons. Having a garden on the roof returned any space that was lost when the building was created. Since the houses were constructed with concrete (which can crack due to prolonged exposure to heat and dry climates) the gardens were lined with a layer of sand. The sand helped trap moisture against the concrete and kept the roof from ultimately tumbling in on unsuspecting residents.
Ribbon Windows:
Who wouldn't want sunlight careening about an entire room? For Le Corbusier, the more light, the better. After experimenting for a while, he discovered that horizontal bands of windows allowed for eight-times better illumination. We don't know how he came to this conclusion, or why it is true, but then again we stopped asking questions long ago.
Supports:
Roof Garden:
The roof gardens for Le Corbusier were not merely gardens, but mini paradises that existed for a multitude of reasons. Having a garden on the roof returned any space that was lost when the building was created. Since the houses were constructed with concrete (which can crack due to prolonged exposure to heat and dry climates) the gardens were lined with a layer of sand. The sand helped trap moisture against the concrete and kept the roof from ultimately tumbling in on unsuspecting residents.
Ribbon Windows:
Who wouldn't want sunlight careening about an entire room? For Le Corbusier, the more light, the better. After experimenting for a while, he discovered that horizontal bands of windows allowed for eight-times better illumination. We don't know how he came to this conclusion, or why it is true, but then again we stopped asking questions long ago.
Supports:
Pilotis (no that's not the French term for a really, really strong guy) are the architectural reference to supporting columns, or piers, in Le Corbusier's utopian world. The support's strength comes from the german engineering of reinforced concrete. Le Corbusier lifted the bulk of the structure off the ground, supporting it by these pilotis. The hyperbolic strength, in providing the structural support for the house, allowed him to elucidate his next two points: the free facade and open floor plan.
Free Design of the Ground Plan:
The absence of supporting walls means that the house is unrestrained in its internal usage and can contract or expand as it needs to, much like a balloon. The pilotis make it possible to have an endless amount of space for domestic interiors. Le Corbusier originally saw this solution as a way to break claustrophobia and make you feel the free and open horizons of space in the comfort of your own dwellings. With supporting pilotis, the interior walls are completely up to the proprietor and lets customization occur for business, domestic, or utopian use all around. This is an area where you can get caught up in the details, or you'll be lost in Le Corbusier of modular balloon of expansion.
Free Design of the Facade:
By projecting the floor beyond the supporting pillars, like a balcony all round the building, the whole facade is extended beyond the supporting construction. Le Corbusier designed the supports for his buildings in such a way that the structures are not dependant upon the exterior walls. This allows for the design of the facade to become a strictly aesthetic experience. One can add or remove pieces as easily as if it were a Mr. Potato head.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Artist Statement, Round Two
I classify who I am as an artist based on my eclectic interests and zany personality. I love everything from printmaking and ceramics to book design and photography. Although I am capable of designing for screen-based applications I have an enthusiasm for printed artifacts cannot be shaken. I am a quick thinker with a side of task-juggling madman. Humor makes everything more interesting, so I toss it into my work whenever I can. I'm kind of like a design jester without the tights.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Degree Project: Campaign Attributes
Really trying to get a solid grip on what I want this social campaign to do. Best place to start is at the basics.
Vision Statement:
In a world where everyone is a stranger, it is my goal to help people take that first step of striking up a conversation with someone they've never met before in order to ultimately enrich each others lives.
Mission Statement:
I hope to provide the world with a visual way of breaking the ice through the use of this social campaign.
Brand Essence:
Introduce Yourself.
Start talking.
Meet someone new.
Brand Attributes:
This system needs to be friendly, intriguing, multi-lingual, open-ended, and potentially swappable (which would entail some form of modularity).
Key Beliefs:
I believe that everyone has something to offer, and something to gain from everyone that they pass. I believe that a simple introduction can open the door to the world and sometimes all we need is a jumping point.
Target Audience:
Young adults (aged approximately 19-26) and anyone else that could benefit from networking and social interaction. People looking to meet new people. People looking for friends or random stories.
Vision Statement:
In a world where everyone is a stranger, it is my goal to help people take that first step of striking up a conversation with someone they've never met before in order to ultimately enrich each others lives.
Mission Statement:
I hope to provide the world with a visual way of breaking the ice through the use of this social campaign.
Brand Essence:
Introduce Yourself.
Start talking.
Meet someone new.
Brand Attributes:
This system needs to be friendly, intriguing, multi-lingual, open-ended, and potentially swappable (which would entail some form of modularity).
Key Beliefs:
I believe that everyone has something to offer, and something to gain from everyone that they pass. I believe that a simple introduction can open the door to the world and sometimes all we need is a jumping point.
Target Audience:
Young adults (aged approximately 19-26) and anyone else that could benefit from networking and social interaction. People looking to meet new people. People looking for friends or random stories.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Photography: Favorites
In January I was asked to join a group of photographers who had the goal of taking one photo every day of the year. These two photos are from that collection. I've been documenting all of my photographs for the project on a blog (big surprise, right?). You can view that blog and the rest of the photos here. I love batman. And toys. :D
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Spat: Exhibit Copy
Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris was born in Switzerland in 1887. He was a zany kind of fellow. So zany in fact that at some point in the 20's he decided to start going by the name Le Corbusier (meaning "The Raven" in French). In addition to developing his self-inflicted bird name, Le Corbusier also created houses as a means of survival. As an architect, he lived by five general Utopian-type rules that you will learn morn about as you meander through this exhibit. The imagery on the walls will reflect a Bird's eye view of his five points, and the iPad provided for you will show you examples of reality.
The roof gardens for Le Corbusier were not merely gardens, but mini paradises that existed for a multitude of reasons. Having a garden on the roof made up for any natural space lost when the buildings were made. Since the houses were constructed with concrete (which can crack due to prolonged exposure to heat and dry climates) the gardens were lined with a layer of sand. The sand helped trap moisture against the concrete and kept the roof from ultimately tumbling in on unsuspecting residents.
Who wouldn't want sunlight careening about an entire room? For Le Corbusier, the more light, the better. After experimenting for a while, he discovered that horizontal bands of windows allowed for eight-times better illumination. We don't know how he came to this conclusion, or why it is true, but then again we stopped asking questions long ago.
The roof gardens for Le Corbusier were not merely gardens, but mini paradises that existed for a multitude of reasons. Having a garden on the roof made up for any natural space lost when the buildings were made. Since the houses were constructed with concrete (which can crack due to prolonged exposure to heat and dry climates) the gardens were lined with a layer of sand. The sand helped trap moisture against the concrete and kept the roof from ultimately tumbling in on unsuspecting residents.
Who wouldn't want sunlight careening about an entire room? For Le Corbusier, the more light, the better. After experimenting for a while, he discovered that horizontal bands of windows allowed for eight-times better illumination. We don't know how he came to this conclusion, or why it is true, but then again we stopped asking questions long ago.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
PROprac: Handbook Response
Shock #1 came when I started flipping through the book and realized it was ALL text and that it was all important and pertinent information. Working at Tonic, I never realized how much actually goes in to billing people and all of that jazz. I can't believe that I should charge an average of $300-1,000 for designing an ad that is just a Quarter of a page in a magazine. The additional fees for charging someone as well were kind of interesting to look at. I was surprised by how extensive that section really was (rush fees, unlimited use for the client...). I also was not expecting a textile design section. It never would have crossed my mind. It's weird that there are different prices for bath towels and wash cloths.
The whole book seems really helpful as a resource for a case-by-case basis. Knowing that there is one compiled collection of this knowledge is awesome, especially if I ever do anything freelance. Luckily for me I'm perfectly content working for firms, so they should have most of this figured out for me so I never need to deal with it. Just flipping through the book was almost enough to give me a headache haha.
This combined with the "should you work for free" mind map can really help keep designers on track.
The whole book seems really helpful as a resource for a case-by-case basis. Knowing that there is one compiled collection of this knowledge is awesome, especially if I ever do anything freelance. Luckily for me I'm perfectly content working for firms, so they should have most of this figured out for me so I never need to deal with it. Just flipping through the book was almost enough to give me a headache haha.
This combined with the "should you work for free" mind map can really help keep designers on track.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Degree Project: Hypothetical Design Solution (2-9)
My project is all about connecting people that normally would not have connected. People typically do not talk with one another if they don’t already know each other, and I want to encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones and strike up conversation with people they do not know. Typically, if you’re around strangers (either at a social event or just while you’re out and about) we treat each other like convicted felons, and we believe that everyone is judging us hypercritically. We retreat into our own worlds and avoid any opportunity that could have presented itself.
I believe that this problem will best be solved by developing some sort of social campaign that I will need to brand. The campaign will involve some sort of something that brings people together, then something that they can take away with them in order to spread the concept of talking to others wherever they go. The campaign will be designed to foster a knowledge in people that everyone has something to offer.
I believe that one end artifact will not suffice at encouraging people to talk to one another. It can’t just be a book or a pamphlet because not everyone responds equally to the same thing and not every pamphlet could contain all of the information that a book could or visa-verse. I think something wearable would be a good artifact to focus on beyond the general branding of a campaign because it would provide a visual icebreaker for others to use in striking up conversation with you. A manifesto could be helpful in spreading general knowledge about the campaign and in letting people know that by becoming a part of the campaign, they’re agreeing to be open to new people and all they have to offer.
The physical tangible artifact could take the form of a shirt, a pin, or a sticker and has the potential to spread to all of those things and beyond. A manifesto in a small book format could be nice for the sake of being easily transportable and spread amongst friends. If the campaign involves one visual element, it has the potential to become customized for various types of people (red for a love of movies, blue if you’re from Missouri, green if you have sisters, etc.) which would add a layer of information that could be used as an icebreaker for others. It could also hold the possibility for people to collect the artifact of various types of people involved in the project (I have a blue pin because I met someone from Missouri, and a yellow one because I met someone that has a pet bird...).
In summation, the underlying theme is encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and reach out and grab the opportunities that could be presented to them at any moment of any day. I hope to develop and brand a campaign in order to foster these connections, and I want anyone that becomes involved in the campaign to feel comfortable with introducing themselves to strangers and knowing that it’s okay to do so. This campaign could spread all over the region if people give it the chance. The more people that become involved, the more connections will be made, and the better off we will all be.
Notes to self:
analogue
olympic flag button- tradinging, I met someone from Ireland, new zeland, america... represented by those pins
icons based on interests?
different areas. I start this in kasnsas city and in st charles, red for kc blue for st. charles, anyone that wants to start a branch in their city could order the buttons.
fears, we fear spiders but they're just as afraid of us. Phobias, other people think we're judging them the way we fear they judge us.
I believe that this problem will best be solved by developing some sort of social campaign that I will need to brand. The campaign will involve some sort of something that brings people together, then something that they can take away with them in order to spread the concept of talking to others wherever they go. The campaign will be designed to foster a knowledge in people that everyone has something to offer.
I believe that one end artifact will not suffice at encouraging people to talk to one another. It can’t just be a book or a pamphlet because not everyone responds equally to the same thing and not every pamphlet could contain all of the information that a book could or visa-verse. I think something wearable would be a good artifact to focus on beyond the general branding of a campaign because it would provide a visual icebreaker for others to use in striking up conversation with you. A manifesto could be helpful in spreading general knowledge about the campaign and in letting people know that by becoming a part of the campaign, they’re agreeing to be open to new people and all they have to offer.
The physical tangible artifact could take the form of a shirt, a pin, or a sticker and has the potential to spread to all of those things and beyond. A manifesto in a small book format could be nice for the sake of being easily transportable and spread amongst friends. If the campaign involves one visual element, it has the potential to become customized for various types of people (red for a love of movies, blue if you’re from Missouri, green if you have sisters, etc.) which would add a layer of information that could be used as an icebreaker for others. It could also hold the possibility for people to collect the artifact of various types of people involved in the project (I have a blue pin because I met someone from Missouri, and a yellow one because I met someone that has a pet bird...).
In summation, the underlying theme is encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and reach out and grab the opportunities that could be presented to them at any moment of any day. I hope to develop and brand a campaign in order to foster these connections, and I want anyone that becomes involved in the campaign to feel comfortable with introducing themselves to strangers and knowing that it’s okay to do so. This campaign could spread all over the region if people give it the chance. The more people that become involved, the more connections will be made, and the better off we will all be.
Notes to self:
analogue
olympic flag button- tradinging, I met someone from Ireland, new zeland, america... represented by those pins
icons based on interests?
different areas. I start this in kasnsas city and in st charles, red for kc blue for st. charles, anyone that wants to start a branch in their city could order the buttons.
fears, we fear spiders but they're just as afraid of us. Phobias, other people think we're judging them the way we fear they judge us.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Spat: Exhibit plans
Above is the wire-frame plan for the digital device. We have chosen to utilize an iPad as our means of digitally interacting with the space. Each section for each of the 5 points will have a visual element that signifies which space you're in (if you're in the garden section there will be an icon of a tree for example). Once you've gotten an opening blurb about the program you will be sent to the Homepage in order to select which section/point you are at. Once you've selected which section you are in you will be given a hint specific to the space, the hint will contain vital information about that particular section. After you've followed through with the hint, you will be asked a question about that section. If you experience the exhibit and engage with it, you will easily get the answer right. If you get the question correct you will receive a digital "piece" of the house. So if you get the correct answer for the garden section, your digital house at the end of the exhibit will have a garden, and if you get the answer wrong your house will not have a garden and your house will pay the consequences at the end. Upon the answering of the final section, you will receive notice that you've completed all the questions and you will be able to tap-and-drag the pieces you've earned onto the site and build your digital house.
We developed two questions for each of the five sections so if you visit the exhibit with your friend you will each have to answer separate questions (encouraging patrons to experience the exhibit for themselves).
Here are the questions that we have developed for each section:
Support Questions:
1. Corbusier called his column-like supports "palotis." These palotis function was to:
a) Support the ceiling
b) Lift the structure off the ground
c) Eliminate restricting inner walls
d) All of the above
2. According to Corbusier, what was the most structurally sound combination of materials to create foundational supports for the Pilotis?
a) Solid Oak reinforced with steel rebar
b) Concrete and Solid Oak frames
c) Concrete reinforced with steel rebar
d) A pile of ravens
Design of the Free Facade Questions:
1. Do the palotis allow for the second story to stretch beyond the base of the structure?
2. Projecting the floors beyond the supporting pillars was intended to:
a) Utilize the space below the floor
b) Utilize the space below the floor
c) Allow windows to be extended to any length
d) All of the Above
Window questions:
1. How should the windows be arranged for a room to get optimal lighting according to Corbusier?
2. Would Corbousier approve of the following light arrangement?
Garden Questions:
1. Why is the garden important to Corbousier’s design?
2. True or False: Corbousier’s garden helps keep the concrete roof from cracking?
Free Ground Plan Questions:
1. True or False: In Corbousier’s houses, the walls may be moved anywhere within the space without impacting the stability of the structure?
2. Look at the following diagram: If walls 2 and 3 were switched, would the structure become less stable?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Degree Project: Survey Conclusions
I got 40 responses to the survey that I sent out to the kids on the KCAI campus and to most of my friends on facebook. Here are the results:
Do you typically try to strike up a conversation with someone you do not know?
Yes (14)
No (18)
Neutral (8)
How do you typically try to strike up a conversation with a stranger?
Use something we have in common (16)
Introduce self (6)
Joke (1)
Something they're wearing (10)
An awkward look (3)
Question (11)
General greeting (5)
"I don't" (1)
What would make you more likely to strike up a conversation with someone?
Third party introduction (1)
Social event (4)
Common interest (17)
Looks (4)
My boredom (3)
Their boredom (2)
What they're wearing (3)
Alcohol (1)
Their approachability (13)
"I don't like talking to people" (2)
What would make you LESS likely to strike up a conversation with someone (try to avoid the obvious, as in, if they were carrying a gun or looked like they were on drugs)?
Nothing in common (6)
Busy (2)
Their obvious disinterest (7)
Their arrogance (4)
Unkempt-ness (3)
They look intimidating (1)
Their general strangeness / creeper (5)
Their bad actions or attitude (16)
They look busy (4)
Shady-ness (3)
How likely are you to strike up a conversation with a stranger using social events (politics, environmental issues, policies..?) as an ice breaker on a scale of 1-10 (10 being VERY likely)?
Only 3 selected 8-10, most were in the 1-3 category
How likely are you to strike up a conversation with a stranger using a physical characteristic about the person (an article of clothing / jewelry / accessory...) as an ice breaker on a scale of 1-10 (10 being VERY likely)?
26 people selected 8-10, only 4 people were in the 1-3 category
How do people that strike up a conversation with you, typically break the ice?
Something in common in the moment / the situation (11)
Joke (2)
Comment on your appearance (18)
What you're doing (4)
General greeting (9)
"You look familiar" (4)
"People don't generally greet me" (3)
What is the first physical thing you're likely to notice about someone (clothing, hair style, accessories...)
Clothing (22)
accessories (7)
Do you typically notice when someone wears pins / buttons (on their shirt / jacket or backpack)?
Yes (32)
No (8)
Do you ever use someone's pins / buttons as a jumping point for conversation?
Yes (18)
No (22)
Do you wear pins / buttons?
Yes (9)
Sometimes / Rarely (11)
No (20)
Would you wear something that would foster others striking up conversation with you?
Yes (24)
No (10)
Maybe (6)
Do you typically try to strike up a conversation with someone you do not know?
Yes (14)
No (18)
Neutral (8)
How do you typically try to strike up a conversation with a stranger?
Use something we have in common (16)
Introduce self (6)
Joke (1)
Something they're wearing (10)
An awkward look (3)
Question (11)
General greeting (5)
"I don't" (1)
What would make you more likely to strike up a conversation with someone?
Third party introduction (1)
Social event (4)
Common interest (17)
Looks (4)
My boredom (3)
Their boredom (2)
What they're wearing (3)
Alcohol (1)
Their approachability (13)
"I don't like talking to people" (2)
What would make you LESS likely to strike up a conversation with someone (try to avoid the obvious, as in, if they were carrying a gun or looked like they were on drugs)?
Nothing in common (6)
Busy (2)
Their obvious disinterest (7)
Their arrogance (4)
Unkempt-ness (3)
They look intimidating (1)
Their general strangeness / creeper (5)
Their bad actions or attitude (16)
They look busy (4)
Shady-ness (3)
How likely are you to strike up a conversation with a stranger using social events (politics, environmental issues, policies..?) as an ice breaker on a scale of 1-10 (10 being VERY likely)?
Only 3 selected 8-10, most were in the 1-3 category
How likely are you to strike up a conversation with a stranger using a physical characteristic about the person (an article of clothing / jewelry / accessory...) as an ice breaker on a scale of 1-10 (10 being VERY likely)?
26 people selected 8-10, only 4 people were in the 1-3 category
How do people that strike up a conversation with you, typically break the ice?
Something in common in the moment / the situation (11)
Joke (2)
Comment on your appearance (18)
What you're doing (4)
General greeting (9)
"You look familiar" (4)
"People don't generally greet me" (3)
What is the first physical thing you're likely to notice about someone (clothing, hair style, accessories...)
Clothing (22)
accessories (7)
Do you typically notice when someone wears pins / buttons (on their shirt / jacket or backpack)?
Yes (32)
No (8)
Do you ever use someone's pins / buttons as a jumping point for conversation?
Yes (18)
No (22)
Do you wear pins / buttons?
Yes (9)
Sometimes / Rarely (11)
No (20)
Would you wear something that would foster others striking up conversation with you?
Yes (24)
No (10)
Maybe (6)
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