Project Description:
In this assignment, we were to analyze compositional structures of images, and apply composition to digitally create drawing with intentions of supporting a specific mood, feeling, or energy. In addition to supporting the desired mood, feeling, or energy, we were able to apply linear perspective and manipulate forms to help support corresponding feelings or energies. Once we had an idea of what the space offered, we would create a corresponding drawing to communicate the opposite mood, energy, or feeling.
Practice:
Composition Viewpoints
One of the first exercises we practiced was working with different compositional viewpoints. We focussed on the same subject matter for each example. 
Composition Image Structure
In addition to the composition viewpoints, we did another exercise that focussed on the different image structures. We were supposed to continue off the subject that we had chosen for the viewpoint’s exercise.
In-Class Activity
In our in-class activity, we were given different options of ways to work on incorporating different image structures, viewpoints, and also manipulation. In the prompt I choose, I was to create different ways to communicate JackO’Lanterns in front of OrtonHall.
Manipulation
In this exercise, we practiced simplifying and manipulating forms. We were to find images of specific subjects, and strip them down to their most basic forms. For one of the simplifications, we were supposed to manipulate it’s form. I choose to manipulate the skull example by simply just making the sphere part more oval-like, and making the rectangular part more square.
These exercises helped me grasp a better understanding of different elements and aspects to include in my project. I really liked how when we worked on the different viewpoints, and image structure examples, we used the same subject for every example. This helped different elements stick in my mind, and it also ultimately created examples to refer back to when working on the project, and even for future use.
Process:
When starting this assignment one of the first subjects I thought of was the Oculus. The Oculus is a building located in the Financial District of New York City. From just simply viewing this building from the exterior, you are just amazed by the unique structure of the space.
I remember very well how uplifting and strong the energy of this space was. It evoked many strong emotions, so decided to choose this for my drawings. I began creating a mind map of the emotions/feelings/adjectives etc. that I associated with this space from experience.
After reviewing how the different emotions and feelings that that space gave off were, I began sketching out some ideas. I wanted to focus on the idea that the exterior offered an overwhelming feeling, while the interior offered a feeling of amazement.
When focusing on the feeling of overwhelming, I wanted to enhance the “wings,” and the overall size of the building. I first started off trying to sketch out the basic structure of the building. I thought about including a worm’s eye angle to help emphasize the actual size of the building, but I found it a little challenging to highlight the building without a corresponding background. I then decided to add in some background buildings such a the World Trade Center, and other random buildings from memory.
As for the opposite energy, I felt that I should reconstruct an area from the interior of the building. When viewing the space from the inside, it’s a memorable experience for all. In my personal opinion the interior of the building kind of looks like a rib cage, or fish bones. With the amazing structure, the building is always filled with so much light. Even if it is night, cloudy, raining, the interior of the building always radiates lots of positive energy.
I decided to start creating a drawing of walking on one of the floors. I thought it would be a great way of representing the energetic feel, while feeling connected by the leading lines, and flow of the space. I choose this angle to communicate the energetic feeling better.
I liked the direction I was heading in from the sketchings itself, however, after hearing feedback, I realized that the two drawings shared similar characteristics. I needed to reevaluate how I wanted to communicate the two different energies.
When reevaluating my drawings, I felt that it would be better to try to communicate the two different experiences you have when you are in the Oculus.
In the first of my final drawings, I decided to change the idea of communicating the overwhelming feeling that the exterior of the building gave off. I thought it would ultimately be better if I try to communicate the harmonious and balancing feeling that the space offers when first entering the building.
In the construction of this first drawing, I wanted to focus on the openness of the building, while still drawing attention to the ceiling. As I really wanted to look at a photo of this space, I mostly tried to use memory to recreate the feeling and energies it gave off. As a result, I exaggerated the number of lines in the space and the direction of them. I however wanted to focus on the lines so that I could create leading lines that drew attention to the ceiling space.
I might have taken a different approach as to the manipulations. I didn’t intentionally manipulate the spaces, instead, I refrained from using a reference photo, and let my memory construct and manipulate the drawing to emphasize more of a personal experience.
In the opposite composition, I decided to continue with the idea of one of my sketches. I like how it gave off overwhelming sense, even though it wasn’t what I initially had thought for the drawing. I felt that once I changed my ideas for the first drawing, this one became more of an opposite energy to the harmonious/balanced.
When recreating the sketched image, I kind of just followed along with the ideas I initially had. I like how it had already had a canted feel to it, and felt chaotic already. It was already far from balanced and harmonious, so I felt that it would be alright to continue off of.
The most challenging part of all was communicating the texture of the interior. I couldn’t remember what it, so I decided to just add a little bit of shading. From memory and picture, the entire interior was very white, bright, and textureless.
Overall, I originally liked the direction I was heading with these drawings, but I hit some road bumps and was redirected. As I thought my idea was very complex, I wish it would have been a little busier so the drawings could have more life t0 them. This building is very compelling and nosologic, and from just viewing the drawings, it brings me back to pre COVID-19 times, and living in the city.