Statement of Intent

Overview

I will be exploring how ideas are communicated and supported using a variety of visual and non-visual strategies, methods, and styles. This sketchbook is essentially a book for drawing or literary sketches, providing a space to work out and hold my ideas. I will be constructing my own for use throughout this project and I will look to use it as a visualizing tool that tells the stories behind the ideas I create for class and during creative explorations.

Requirements:

• Size: Minimum- 5” x 7”, Maximum- 9” x 12” • Minimum page (leaf) count: 30 • Your sketchbook must be bound (recommended method: spiral bound or Coptic) • Your sketchbook cover design: Must utilize laser cutter process. • Your sketchbook must include your name, course, and year. • Materials for your sketchbook can vary but… we highly encourage you to recycle  found and collected materials.

Statement:

The purpose of this journal is to craft a straightforward yet functional sketchbook that showcases my individuality. I believe that “When you identify with something you are not, it always leads to suffering and unhappiness” a sentiment that resonates with me, as I often fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. This journal serves as a gentle reminder to embrace my unique qualities and be proud of who I am. The reflective mirror and collage of words that describe my self-perception highlight my personality and allow the journal to grow and change with me as I continue on my creative journey.

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Ideation

Process Ideation

To begin thinking about the production and purpose of drawing, I began to listen and read each of the attached articles and videos below.

Read and Note: 

The Pleasure in Drawing, Jean-Luc Nancy.
Sketching as Design Thinking, Hoffman. 

Listen to:
https://www.ted.com/talks/sunni_brown_doodlers_unite?language=en 

further listening: 

• https://player.fm/series/art-for-all/ep-34-stare-master 
• https://player.fm/series/art-for-all/ep-31-living-well-through-bad-drawings 
• https://player.fm/series/art-for-all/ep-32-how-a-sketchbook-can-change-your-life 

Exercise #1

Mini Sketchbook:

The production of the mini prototyped sketchbook was a multi-step process aimed at ensuring its functionality and accessibility. I wanted to explore the materials necessary for my main sketchbook’s creation, including high-quality paper sheets, binding materials, and a cover design. The goal of this mini sketchbook was to provide a flexible platform for ideation, allowing for quick and unrestricted note-taking and sketching. The creation of a functional prototype provided an opportunity to test and refine the process for a large complete sketchbook. I really enjoyed the idea of durable would that would give a nice structure to my main design. I wanted the texture and structure to coincide and result in a practical and sustainable design.

     

Mindmapping:

From this ideation, we split into groups and began to learn how to use mind mapping as a form of brainstorming and ideation. We used a mindmap in a group learning session to help explain and come up with ideas. We started by putting a central concept or idea in the center of the mindmap and then brainstormed related ideas which we added as branches branching out from the central idea. As we discussed, we each added our thoughts and insights to the mindmap. Throughout the session, we used the mindmap as a reference and it grew and evolved as our understanding of the topic deepened.

   

By the end of the session, the mindmap had become a comprehensive resource for us and captured all of our key insights and ideas. The mindmap provided a shared understanding that was easily communicated to others and was used as a starting point for further exploration and development. Using a mindmap in the group session was an effective way to encourage creative and critical thinking and promote collaboration and communication among us.

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Iteration and Production

The process of creating my sketchbook involved several steps. I started by collecting the necessary materials such as scrap drawing paper, front and back cover materials, and stitching materials. The sketchbook was then constructed by referring to multiple tutorials and demonstrations experimenting with the binding I had approached on my previous mini sketchbook. As previously stated, I wanted to express myself through an abstract image/icon. From this, I began experimenting with ways to represent myself.

I began to look through photos of my silhouette that I felt represented what was special to me. I then came across the picture below:

This photo was taken on a trip I took my senior year of high school with the friends I had made in 8th grade. This was our final trip before we all went our own separate ways and began to become true adults. This picture was a unique example of myself looking into the future (the horizon), unaware of what was to come next. I had no idea I would switch from a major in Computer Science to a fulfilling major in Design. This was the example I wanted to use to represent myself.  I began to create this as my cover using Illustrator. I looked to use an etching technique with my newly acquired skills with the laser cutter.

From this, I had the basis of my cover. I wanted to find a way to give a less abstract and tangible meaning to someone who came across this cover. I began to search for quotes that I felt represented me in the past but also were still applicable to me today. I found one quote from one of my favorite musician’s albums:

Eckhart Tolle, a therapist within the ablum says “When you identify with something you are not, it always leads to suffering and unhappiness.”

This was a freeing statement that made me reevaluate why I do the things I do. I often find myself looking towards others for the actions that I should take. I don’t think it’s inherently a bad thing to take others as examples of what to do and what not to do. However, once I began to lose my sense of agency, I realized I needed to follow the life that made the most sense for me. With an idea of motion in mind I created my cover. I also decided I wanted to have my family members generate a list of random words they felt describe me. With this list, I began to create a spiralized melting graphic from the back inside cover. Below are drafts of the cover and graphics:

With these renders I began test cuts, playing with materials, laser speeds, and strengths:

While practicing binding techniques, I realized I wanted to use rings to be able to quickly add, subtract, or rearrange my pages. With a multitude of sizes, I also wanted to have a way to increase or decrease the size of these rings. So, I began to experiment with ring sizes and ways to attach these rings for easy adjustments.

The addition of the warped mirror was to help “reflect” and not take things too seriously. This also worked as a surprise element which made an unexpected theme.

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Reflection