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Statement of Intent

 

For this continuation of the Shape Grammar project, I focused on using basic shapes to create balance, symmetry, and a sense of calm in a composition with Notan. This provides a contrast to my Shape Grammar project, with the use of sharp triangles to convey anxiety. I thought it would be interesting to explore both sides of the prompt of emotion, especially in seeing how subtleties can impact our interpretations of a composition.

 

Ideation

I began the ideation process by exploring different examples of Notan, collecting inspiration for possible themes or elements and principles of focus.

 

 

We did a class exercise in Notan, practicing our understanding of its concepts, cutting and reflecting shapes from our black card stock.

 

Through the practice notan exercise in class, sketching, and exploring with the Illustrator app, I was able to get a better sense of what type of composition I was most drawn to and figure out different ways to create different visual effects in Notan.

 

 

Next, I tried some simpler compositions using Illustrator, as I realized I was more interested in the power of the overall visual effects of the Notan compositions I looked at and explored rather than the smallest details, which was a differentiation from my usual way of working.

 

 

 

Once I felt confident in the direction my iterations were taking me, I decided to move forward into the production of my final piece using only basic shapes to communicate a chosen emotion.

 

Iteration & Production

 

After exploring different shapes, potential themes, and levels of complexity at the start of the process, I was drawn towards focusing on a simple composition with basic shapes, specifically focusing on circles. I was also intending to communicate a peaceful, calming energy through a balanced and symmetrical composition. Keeping my slight earlier explorations into pattern in mind, I looked for areas of movement in my iterations that might be helpful in communicating my emotion.

 

 

I began to identify a flowing, yet linear repeating pattern that I felt perfectly exuded the calm energy I was after. From here, I moved in to final production, starting with symmetrical reflections of slices from a single circle. I then introduced smaller circles to create a line of reflection along the edges of the slices.

 

I used Notan reflection on two contrasting scales to suggest an almost rotating linear movement in converging directions. The flow of movement is predictable and slowly paced, seemingly bringing each trail of circles to meet harmoniously at certain points  in the composition. The symmetry and balance aided by Notan’s requirement for reflection also helps to bring a sense of reason and gentleness to the piece and its movement.

Reflection

With this project, I ended up with a final composition that was fairly different from what expected going in,  and even ended up stumbling upon certain elements and principles with my composition as well in experimenting with the Notan process. I had originally planned on going in the more thematic direction with this piece, and instead ended up focusing more on a clear communication of elements and principles, as this seemed to be the direction my process naturally gravitated towards. If I were to further explore these concepts, I would likely give a more thematic approach a try, and attempt to create a representation or story using what I’ve learned about Notan here and the effects and energies it can create from this project. In the end, I feel that, not only did I gain new important skills and perspectives regarding the roles of compositional elements and principles, but I produced a piece that I feel successfully uses gentle movement and symmetry to communicate a sense of calm to the viewer. 

 

Portfolio Project

The page showcasing my final Shape Grammar Part 2 project can be found through the link below!

Shape Grammar: Part 2

 

Statement of Intent

With this rendering of my ideal studio space, I was aiming to create a space inspired and guided not only by my aesthetic, but also my creative preferences. We were required by the assignment objectives to incorporate a minimum number of specific elements in our space, some of which, beyond the basic architectural features, were especially interesting to design the space with, such as the floating or personal elements. I have always been most inspired by older, more classic architectural features , especially when complemented by contemporary elements and perspectives. This combination and discovery of harmony between traditional concepts and modern creativity is something I really wanted to incorporate into this project, as it is a big part of what inspires me as a designer. I challenged myself to include more advanced features in the structure of the space, such as built-in cabinetry and a vaulted ceiling, in order to explore more deeply with perspective drawing skills.

 

Ideation

 

In class, we started off this project with exercises in line and contour drawing. We first worked on our ability and techniques for drawing straight lines.

 

 

We soon began moving into contour drawing, focusing on basic outlines of objects.

 

 

Next, we created two different compositions using a contour silhouette, one complex and the other simple, but both utilizing different line weights.

 

 

Once we had practiced a fair amount with contour drawing, we moved on to still-life drawing techniques, introducing triangulation. We practiced this method in class and were assigned to create a miniature still life of two random objects with the triangulation method.

 

 

Next, we used triangulation again to draw a larger-scale still-life in class, which we then created an alternative interpretation of as a diptych.

 

 

 

Once we had practice with the skills that would help us in creating our final rooms, we were able to move on into thinking about what features we wanted to include in our spaces.

 

 

Iteration & Production

The production process began by creating a perspective grid for the basic framework of my space. This was an especially intensive part of the process, especially when I decided on the addition of a vaulted ceiling.

 

 

Next, I used tracing paper to frame in the organization of the main items of the space. Each object or set of objects in the space is drawn on its own piece of tracing paper.

 

 

I made sure to frame in these elements first before getting into too much detail, continuing with the addition of a bay window and built-in cabinetry. These things were especially challenging and intricate, as they were in the very back of my space, and were designed to be somewhat built-in o each other as well.

 

 

 

Once I was don’t tracing every one of my objects onto their own sheets of tracing paper, I was ready to start on my final composition. The transfer of my final choices of decor and elements is essentially a repetition of the process outlined above, except on Bristol paper using a grid and light table.

 

 

On the brighter side,  having to repeat this process twice gave me more experience and practice with perspective drawing techniques, and definitely made be double check every grid line I drew on! After this was resolved and I was done with my final transfer, I was very happy with my results and went on to share with the rest of the class in our final product review!

 

Reflection

 

This is a project that I throughly enjoyed from start to finish, while finding many opportunities for challenge. The structural elements of the space that I was able to incorporate Learning and applying drawing techniques that I have always been drawn to, but have never had chance to truly learn was an especially beneficial part of this project, as this is something I know I will be able to bring forward with me as a design student. The structural elements of my studio space that I was able to incorporate through further exploration with perspective drawing were not only exciting to see take shape, but really added to the overall feel and environment I was aiming for with this space.

While the production portion of this process might seem less in-depth than expected, this was our first project in the program and I had not yet taken the time to learn about the most effective methods of documentation, an area I am much stronger and confident in after a year of learning in foundations.

 

Portfolio Project

The page showcasing my final Structure project can be found through the link below!

Structure

 

 Statement of Intent

 

For both parts of this project, my primary intent was to communicate an energy of stress and anxiety using compositions with triangles. With Composition #1, the main objective was to communicate my chosen feeling through a deliberate composition in which no overlap occurs between shapes. Composition #2, however, was the result of random arrangement of the shapes until I reached a composition that I felt communicated an anxious feeling as well.

 

Ideation

 

I began the ideation process with an exercise in class, in which we chose 3 emotions and created 10 different compositions, each using only one shape for each of our chosen emotions. The three words I explored were anxiety, calm, and anticipation.

 

 

After reviewing this exercise, we decided the emotion we wanted to explore as well as the shapes (circles, squares, or triangles) that we would use in our compositions. I chose to continue to explore anxiety using triangles, as I felt most in touch with more of my triangle compositions than the other shape options.

 

Iteration & Production

 

For Composition #1, I explored different compositions based on the sketches created during the ideation process. I cut out triangles from black card stock in various sizes and organized them into the different compositions I had sketched out, making changes and alterations until I reached a solution I felt communicated my feeling well.

 

 

 

When it came to Composition #2, the iteration process started with cutting out more of my shape chosen shape from Composition #1 , triangles, and scattering them randomly numerous times.

 

 

I recorded each random composition until I narrowed down to a couple that I thought showed my chosen word of anxiety in one way or another.

Experimenting with these iterations allowed me to choose the one I felt was strongest. With the iteration I chose, I then transferred its shapes to Bristol for my final piece.

 

Reflection

 

With this project, I was aiming to communicate a feeling of stress and anxiety, first through a deliberate composition (#1) which was followed by a random composition, both using only triangles. One of the most interesting challenges that came from this project was the impact that even the smallest changes in a composition can have on its energy, such as the placement or angle of a single shape, which is something that made the process a lot more intricate than it originally seemed. It was also interesting to hear other’s feedback during the process, as the different ways people interpreted certain elements was very helpful in developing the compositions. This, as well as the overall nature of the project brought things to my attention that I otherwise might not have considered, and really built on my ability to think critically about design and its subtleties.

 

Portfolio Project

The page showcasing my final Shape Grammar  project can be found through the link below!

Shape Grammar

Statement of Intent: My primary goal for my “About Me” , or biography page was to communicate the things I felt were the most important and true to who I am and who I hope to be as both a person and as a design student.

Ideation: 

1. We started with a reading exercise, in which we read and compared three different articles and/or media sources that discussed “good design”. My notes from the three sources I chose are attached below.

“Good Design” Articles

2. We then did an exercise to discuss our opinions on what makes “good” or “bad” design. Attached is my list of designs that I thought were good, bad, secretly bad, and secretly good. This exercise, combined with the discussion in class helped me to better define my perspective of what good design is and some of the elements that are most important to me and to others.

Good vs. Bad Design

3. Next, I began to compile images and ideas of things I felt were a part of who I am. I included some of the things that have inspired me most throughout my life that I felt would be important to talk about on my site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iteration/Production:

1. The first step of my iteration process was generating ways to communicate what I wanted to share most about myself in a short mini biography. I started by making bullets of things to include on the page, and organized my thoughts into small sections or categories. I then began to sketch out ways I could potentially organize the page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. After compiling a short bio and choosing a photo I was happy with, I tried different ways to put the actual content onto my website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to Final:

View my About Me page here: About Me

Reflection:

Through the process of creating my “About Me” page for my site, I was able to discover ways to express myself and my perspectives, especially relating to art and design concepts. It was also interesting to discuss the exercises (in the “Ideation” section of this post) in class, as it allowed us to take in each others unique perspectives and learn from them, which I found allowed me to build on and even reconsider my own initial interpretations. Overall, I was able to discover a lot about myself and the things that are important to me, as well as how big of a role my passion for art and design has played in my life and choosing to major in Interior Design.

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