class exercise

the stairwell in the ferguson building is a good example of peripheral, nonuniform light. the space itself is dark, small, and cramped-making any visitor uncomfortable. the intimate light adds a small dose of warmth, however. i'm sure if there weren't so many movie scenes with unfortunate outcomes in places like this, the dimly lit space would prove to be a more intimate and comforting experience.

the stairs in the MHRA building are a much brighter setting, as you can see. the building's interior is painted white and has both overhead and peripheral light. overhead, there are recessed light fixtures to give an overall light to the space. there are also many windows and additional light fixtures around the space to add more light. the bountiful amount of light definitely makes the space a happy one, but it feels large and spacious-not cozy. i wouldn't say that it's a tense space, it's just not one that makes visitors want to curl up with a book on its steps.

the lounge in the bottom floor of the ferguson building is an interesting one. it has both overhead and peripheral light as well-overhead light fixtures and windows on the side. the bright overhead light makes the space a bright and spacious one, however, the furniture and view out of the window is dark. the space right outside of the door is cast in shadows almost constantly due to the overhang above and it creates a great contrast between the inside and the outside of the room. the space attempts to be pleasant and relaxed with its lounge furniture, but the overhead light makes it more tense-feeling.

still catchin' up!

in graphics class this semester we explored a few computer programs.

first, we learned about building codes and played with photoshop and illustrator.

 

then, we worked with autocad and drafted different studio spaces.

 

 next, we started to work with google sketchup, making basic shapes

 

after that, we took our autocad drawings into sketchup

 then, we rendered them using podium

we also created short, walk-through videos

for our final projects, we got to pick what we wanted to explore further and i chose photoshop.
i learned so much from simply watching tutorials and i think that these skills will greatly benefit me in the future.


it's been a long semester but i've learned an incredible amount!

 

where on earth have i been all semester?!

i know, it's been a pretty blog-less semester. fear not! i'm here to update you.


in studio with professor mendoza, we started out making youtube videos. first, we were to simply make one on an existing song. kristy stroud and i paired up and remixed "send me on my way" by rusted root. our next video was to be of the music only, not the words, and had to answer a philosophical question. for this we explored the different ways people interpreted the song "1901" by phoenix. is this similar to the way we all view life differently?

our next project was to create a number system based off of a song we were able to listen to thousands of times over. we then had to go through a series of steps and use 400 [wood] blocks to create a sculpture from our number system. i chose the song "brother moon" by gungor.

from those sculptures we were to make a flat pattern to order from spoonflower.com. after countless test patterns i finally decided on one.

our final project is an exploration of subject matter of our choice. i've studied astronomy and the art of candle-making. i've now turned my attention to the many, many different stitches of crochet.

pictures to come soon!

it's always good to look back and see how you've grown as a designer,

as a person.


it's funny,
how we change.
we learn.
we grow.


and then one day everything is  d i f f e r e n t.

cabinet of curiosity

 

my cabinet was built to house a triangular necklace holder, a box to hold hair ties, and a rectilinear pencil holder. with all of these hard, straight lines i wanted to contrast them with a circular form for my cabinet. i wanted each artifact to have its own moment of display so i made the cabinet a series of circles that could be mounted to the wall. doors can be added or removed for versatility. the light, smooth acrylic contrasts the wood of the objects as well, making them really stand out. 

signage precedents

after looking at examples from asi signage and apco signs and thinking about the office space we're working with i stumbled upon a few sign systems that i found inspiring.


first i came across many frosted glass sign systems. these are clean and simple, without many colors or patterns to distract.

i also thought about using wood for the signage. my spaces are warm and rich and have wooden floors and i thought about using wood for the signs as well to keep with that feeling. i didn't see many successful signs online but i still don't see why it's not possible to try!

i came across some three-dimensional signs as well. i think that it could be interesting to have all of the letters individually recognized in the signage.

whatever i choose to do, i'll have to make sure it's purposeful and fits in with the concept!






sources:
http://www.impactsigns.com/interior-signs
http://www.signs.org/signdesign/
http://www.thesigncenter.com/product_gallery.html
http://www.bestsigns.com/gb_wood.html
http://www.signagenewyork.com/
http://www.miladisplays.com/glassnameplates.htm

halloweeeeeen!

i made my own costume this year. i have a white fitted dress and i went to the store and got some felt. i cut circles out, sewed em on and....

twister!
easiest costume ever. yay halloween! (:

hospitality design mag!

yesterday i met with my adviser to start to figure out what classes i should be taking to specialize. he gave me some resources as far as a direction to go in to see what i want to do future-wise. when i told him that i wanted to do hotel design he referred me to hospitality design magazine. who knew there were so many firms that specialized in hospitality! it was awesome. the magazine is way too expensive to subscribe to but thank goodness they have a newsletter!

blog that assignment 004

How will natural and artificial lighting improve your space?   



i think that by controlling the natural light (there's a LOT that comes into the space at the moment) it'll be an instant improvement. we've thought about incorporating light shelves into the space to help with that. as far as artificial lighting we've talked about utilizing it on our glass floating wall that we're going to bring into the space.
Will you use focal lighting to direct people?
by bringing focused lighting onto the glass wall we'll draw people's focus to the wall and consequently the desk for sign-in and information.
How will you create moments of interest within your space using light?
besides the wall and its created lighting interest we'll have moments of interest at the stairs where there's natural light as well as directed natural light in the space to the left of the wall where there is seating and teaser exhibit space.