Completed Light Fixture

Finished Product!

Decided on Paper Fold for Project

Simple Lotus Flower Fold

How to make: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT0iNNIWBoU

Inspiration for light installation

http://wendyobrienid.com/glow-through-smart-recycling-in-ei-lamps-by-issey-miyake-for-artemide/

Accordion Paper Folding

http://www.minieco.co.uk/accordion-paper-folding-candle-holders/

Paper folding ideas

How to fold v pleats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgEOR2YFjxo&noredirect=1

How to fold a paper star













http://passengersonalittlespaceship.blogspot.com/2011/04/paper-star-lantern-tutorial.html

Photobook

I'm really proud of my completed photo book...

                                             

Photography Essay

Parts of the Letter

Designspiration

Inspiration for posters...

Stefan Sagmeister Pieces

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Reflection of Understanding Comics

Scott McCloud’s comic on understanding comics puts into perspective how important images, lines and symbols are to portraying a message without words. He makes a fascinating point that cartooning is about stripping down the objects and focusing on the important part, the meaning. Humans assign identities and meaning to almost every icon they see, which gives the image life. Pictures can also evoke an emotional response from the viewer simply by the lines they use. As McCloud states, “All lines have expressive potential.” The important pieces of a comic book are also vital when creating a well designed advertisement or work of art. As an artist and designer, you want to evoke an emotion and make the viewer associate meaning to the piece.

Reflection of Writer's Toolbox

Through making a few mind maps of my own I can understand the viewpoint of the authors in that it is an extremely helpful way to quickly write down your ideas and form connections later. Similar to free writing, they both require the ability to let go of judgment and simply write your ideas/thoughts. Although, I am improving at mind mapping, out of all the strategies I enjoy creating word lists the best. I think they are neater and have cleaner lines for my train of thought to follow and make connections. However, all of the suggested ways to come up with ideas can be very helpful, except for maybe brainstorming. In my experience brainstorming, with a group, often leads to a few talking over each other and others not being heard.

Ideas for redesign

IDEO Reflection

To me the 60 Minute video we watched on IDEO was eye opening to how the creative process works in a professional setting. I imagined brainstorming and project proposals to be held around a large table in an office building, but I was wrong. IDEO comes up with it’s best ideas through organized chaos as they have boards filled with various ideas and suggestions on sticky notes. They follow the principle of the crazier the idea the better and to go for a number of ideas not editing any of them out. While working on our project we utilized a lot of the suggestions IDEO’s team leader made. We assigned tasks to different people and interviewed the public to see what they though of our design. Although it was difficult at some points, we also tried to concentrate on one conversation at a time and stay focused. The relaxed yet productive atmosphere at IDEO was a joy to see and inspiring.

Typography Inspiration

Color Lecture Response

Color Lecture

I was excited for the color lecture, because I knew it was going to be very helpful to me. Before the lecture the only thing I ever took into consideration was contrasting colors when designing. Now I know there are many different ways to use color well. I learned harmonious hues could be just as effective as contrasting, as well as value and Chroma. The six different unity strategies were also very helpful. I found most interesting that each color holds a different weight, and that depending on the colors, the composition may not be even if its just half one color and half the other. Especially if it’s a darker and a lighter color, you have to adjust it so there’s more of the lighter color so the composition is evenly distributed. The color lecture will come in handy for the rest of my design career and in everyday life. 

Don Norman Video Response

Don Norman- 3 ways good design makes you happy

Out of all the outside readings and video’s I enjoyed Don Norman’s views the most. Maybe because I’m minoring in psychology, I thought him relating why we think things are well designed back to aspects of our neurology was extremely fascinating. I often don’t know why I like certain designs and I feel like he gave me the approval just to say because it looks cool, not necessarily because they function the best. Norman’s ideas combined aesthetics and function and that the object can have either or both of these and still be considered well designed. I also enjoyed that much of his view on what was well designed was very personal to the individual. Don Norman’s video related to me the most.

Think + Make Reading Response

Think + Make

I enjoyed that the “Think + Make” reading was expressing a different view than Dieter Rams, in that much of design is left to personal interpretation. Each of the excerpts for the books discusses design differently, and how it’s difficult to give it one definition because design can be so vast. From fabric to protests each were designed carefully. I also enjoyed in particular John Heskett’s view of design. I interpreted from his writing that each person has their own view of design, and I see evidence of this everyday in my drawing and design classes. I believe each individual has her own view of what is good design and there doesn’t need to be a checklist that an object must meet to be considered well designed.