Design 2310: Visualization Principles

Assignment 2: Space & Time Walk

Module 2: Observation & Communication

Description

Slow Looking is a practice that “helps us uncover the intricacies of objects, systems and relationships. It allows us to envision and explore diverse perspectives while at the same time probing out our own subjectivity. And it helps us discern and appreciate complexity without necessarily dissolving it. The value of slow looking can be summed up in a phrase: the more we look, the more we see.” (Tishman) 

In this assignment, you will actively observe and record/map an excursion on campus starting from Hayes Hall and leading to a specific destination- a journey you discover and wish to share with us.  

As you venture, focus on observing recording details from a variety of observations. Use all senses. Based on your initial excursions, you will select and define 10 steps to further explore the slow looking and recording process. You will map this journey through 3 methods: words, digital images, and sketching applications. The goal in recording this journey is to share your observations with someone. We are shaping a habit of communicating ideas and experiences with others. 

 

Objectives

Upon completion of this assignment, you will:

• express purposeful creative content through a process of observation, interpretation, and representation 
• organize and construct compositions through active observation and sensorial awareness  
• organize information prioritizing accessibility of stakeholders/participants in the assignment experience: information editing, hierarchy and creative organization 

• construct ideas with intentional craft and material exploration 
• experiment with drawing techniques: contour, shape analysis, layers, perspective, value, line weight   
• express ideas using learned vocabularies through course discussion,  critique, and exercises 
• develop confident evaluative communication skills through self-assessment techniques, class discussion, and critiques 

Process

1. Find an object or location on campus that is accessible to all and can be revisited at any time during the semester- this is your destination. Your search excursions and notes will help you define a purposeful path initiating from Hayes Hall facing the Oval and culminating in discovery of a purposeful and unexpected destination and discovery. 
2. Experience and explore. Explore multiple paths, with multiple approaches. Once your path has been discovered and defined, you are encouraged to venture through the process several times. Slow down and pay attention to things that might normally have been passed over. What do you hear? Smell? Feel? See? Document/note details of this experience.
3. Communicate
   Based on your research and explorations, select your path. 

• • EXERCISE 1: Following your notes, creatively compose written directions for anyone with the ability to read. 
  • EXERCISE 2: Pictures- Creatively present your journey through a composed collection of images using your Ipad or phone. This composition can be produced digitally or by hand. 
  • FINAL GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION: In this composition, you will be representing your excursion graphically through hand drawing techniques- a MAP.    

 

Considerations

• We ask you to be mindful of accessibility issues.  

• Consider all sensorial observations and experiences. Note consistent non-visual cues along your journey- Design with all your senses.  
• Think about distances, time, landmarks, orientation.  
• What information and presentation decisions are helpful to guide the person following your map?  

 

Composition Requirements

1. Experience must be presentable within the vicinity of Hayes Hall- providing directions/instructions/path starting from Hayes Hall to a specific destination of your choice.
2. Experience must include representation of a non-visual sense found on your excursion.
3. Your recorded path must include a minimum of 5 “steps”
4. Map contents: a title, a legend, “points of interest”, organizing system (type of map, narrative, and journey).
5. Size: approx. 14”X17” art board
6. You will use pencil and tech pens, Bristol paper (or drawing paper), and trace paper as primary materials.
7. You may use full range of value. In addition to the tech pens or pencils, you may use a single hue.

 

Process Post Content Requirements

1. Create a personal file. Label it-  Vis_22_A2_ProcessPost_Content 
2. Write a concise paragraph (150-300 words) explaining your assignment intentions (type of space, techniques, and creative motivation). Add process notes- example: label images- what do we see in each?
   Tell us your project story through images and concise supporting labels and text. 
3. Photograph or scan class activities, exercises, and project steps. These will include: 

• • Notable gathered information and observations 
  • Instructions (exercise 1) 
  • Layering and collage (exercise 2) 

• • Digital and hand drawing in class activities and exercises 
  • Shading  
  • Textures 
  • Additional self-driven practice and testing  
  • Final composition building.

4. Write a concise reflection statement. 

You will use this content to build your portfolio process post at the completion of the assignment.  Keep and protect all process work. Document as you go (do not procrastinate- easier said than done!) We will have check points to facilitate this process (see assignment calendar). 

 

Assignment Deliverables

1. Upload to Carmen assignment 11/4/22: 

A single PDF Please use this format for creating your file name: A2Map_YourName_AuVis22.pdf 

Identify: your name, class, term.  

Organize information by providing concise labels associated with your images.  

Include: 

• • • A single image of the entire drawing 
    • 1 to 2 detail images 
    • A concise assignment statement/summary. 

2. A link to your completed assignment process post in the Carmen comment box 11/4/22. See posts here for more information on creating blog posts. 

3. Bring completed physical drawing to class for critique 11/2/22. 

 

Rubric

Criteria		Pts
Assignment submission requirements met.		5pts
Quality and substance of documented process including exercises, information gathered, and composition iterations.   Collected process contents  Set up and organization of process post	Process	15pts
Process  Active observation and sensorial awareness extracting and compositing details of subject matter through iteration and material/tool exploration.  Quality and substance of process explorations including exercises, readings, and composition iterations.		20pts
Participation  Participation in discussions and critique; Attendance and preparedness to work; Meeting checkpoints and deadlines.		10pts
Content and Craft  Degree of complexity and quality of work: Spatial activation and details, space and form details, research, initiative/adaptive learning.	Final Outcome	25pts
Design and Composition   Organization of information with consideration and accessibility of stakeholders/participants in the assignment experience: information editing, hierarchy, and creative and purposefully organized design elements		25pts
Total Points: 100

Assignment Calendar

This calendar is and guideline and subject to change in consultation with students. 

9/30	Intro to A2  Homework: Reading Chapters 1, 2
10/5	Intro to A2 continued, reading discussion
10/7	Shape studies
10/12	Shape studies continued Writing composition studies Begin photographs
10/14	Fall Break- no class
10/19	Visual composition studies  Photograph composition/collage/layering
10/21	Mapping
10/26	Mapping: Draft due- critique/discuss
10/28	Mapping
11/2	Final Details
11/4	Assignment 2 due on Carmen.  Intro to A3