This project focused on observing our surroundings with practices of slow looking. Along with that, we honed in on using all senses to truly take in an environment and what that means to us.
Research
Reading
Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation by Shari Tishman really opened my eyes to how uncovering complexity takes time. Although we only read a couple chapters, they were extremely informative and a great segue into this project since it was all about observing details. One of my favorite quotes from the text is “selective attention is a powerful force”. I took this mentality as I completed my walks and attempted to be drawn in by every aspect of my surroundings.
Walk Excursions
Part of what could be considered research in this process are the several walks I went on. When I finally found the route and destination that worked best for me, I repeated the walk in order to take in different elements along the way that I could have missed the first couple times. I documented my path in the form of written accounts and in a series of photos. In my notes, I included how I felt in these areas, what senses were most engaged, and also the reasons why I chose to take the route I was on.
Exercises
Exploring Analog and Digital Drawing
We began by developing our skills in sketchbook and on traditional paper by drawing trees. This could be an important element in a map but also is a great subject to work on natural and implied lines while still maintaining enough detail to make it recognizable.
Journey Excerpt and Group Collage
From one of the initial walks we took, as an exercise in slow looking, we picked one location that stood out to us and spent time physically in that area to sketch it and reflect upon it poetically. When all of our different locations were pinned onto the paper “oval”, it was inspiring to see and hear what everyones personal take was and how each of us process detail in unique ways.
Shading Techniques
Using pencil and colored pencil, we explored several techniques used to shade and add value including hatching and stippling. These two stood out to me and I ended up incorporating them into my final product map later on.
Collage and Extractions
Using our photo documentation of our observational walk, we were instructed to create a collage. I took a very traditional route because it made most sense to me to organize it that way. After a brief critique, a major suggestion across the board was to incorporate more contrast. I cut up, painted, and added texture to my original design but it still was not giving the boldness I was looking for. In some aspects, I think that I was trying too hard to push myself to find an out of the box way to alter my original. Sometimes expanding in way that doesn’t make sense to you works against you in the long run and I experienced this here. Ultimately, I gained a lot of inspiration from this exercise, but from my failures instead of from my successes. Due to time limits and attempting to not exhaust all my creative energy on one step of the project, I took these new ideas and constructive criticisms and applied them when planning the final.
Iterations and Production
I was inspired by the history of Hayes hall being one of the first buildings on campus so my initial thought was to combine layered maps of the 1898 roads and the present day roads. Having to consider how to incorporate a secondary sense besides sight, I used a collage inspired technique by cutting out layers so multiple elements have a raised texture.
Final
Reflecting on this project, I think I learned the importance of clarity and inclusion. What I mean by this is that because it is a map, it is meant to accurately direct someone to the location they’re trying to end up at. Although a minuscule detail on the actual map itself, the legend is probably the most important aspect of the design and must be easy to read and understand. It also opened my eyes to the fact that design must be accessible to all and not just those who have the ability to see. I had never thought about this before but it makes me want to find solutions when designing in ways that everyone will be able to benefit from. My notes from my walks allowed me to expand on my other senses and create a more well rounded experience when viewing my map. I had the idea to incorporate sound through codes you can scan that brings you to a song on Spotify. Anywhere I walk on campus, I am listening to music so I thought this fit well. I assigned each landmark on my map a song that reminded me of that location and hid it within the magnified projection of the respective drawing. I also incorporated the raised texture of the roads and the actual path in separate layers of bristol to add texture which stimulates our sense of touch and can be essential when following directions to a destination, especially for those with the inability to see. I think both of these add an element of depth that expand upon my visual concepts.
View the final project at Space and Time Walk: Final