Chairs for My Apartment

Some day I would like to have egg chairs in my apartment that I am getting in August. They are kind of expensive but I want one! These are two that I would consider, possibly in different colors though.

Photoshop Ideas of Environment

While waiting for Google Sketchup to download. I played around in photoshop a bit just to produce ideas. These are extremely rough ideas but I think that the start of the swimming pool scenery is going to turn out interesting. I will have to experiment with Sketchup a lot to figure out the complete pool scene. The rock climbing idea just doesn't seem right for my seat.

Finished Seat for Project 2

Frontal View

Side Top View

Sitting on the finished design

V-Day Color Experiments

My Favorite Valentine

These photos show different color experiments including color vibration - which is in the first photo - and to celebrate the love holiday we did each one for our valentine.

Selected Designers for Essay

Charles and Ray Eames

Marti Guixe

My Seat Prototype

Two Stools Spread Apart

Two Stools Joined Together

Top View of the Stools

Reflection on Kendall Buster

 It seems like the majority of artists and designers come from an Art and Design College. Kendall Buster got her Bachelor’s degree at one. However, that does not make me believe that going to a university not centered on just my field affects me in any sort of negative way.  This was my first thought when I started reading Buster’s biography on her website. I also see a pattern in art and design majors veering towards sculpture. For myself, it does not interest me that much to do it as a career, but I love to view sculptures in museums and galleries. Buster’s work is found internationally so it is clear that her sculptures are enjoyed by all difference people. The museums that display her works vary vastly. From Letter museums to Space museums Buster has her art widely spread all around the world. I believe that the seat project gives students a chance to also have their work widely shared, if they wish. If the seat resembles a space ship who knows; it may end up in a Space museum across the country. The seat does not have to wind up in the recycling bin or even in a museum full of furniture. To add, I love the material that Buster uses for her sculptures. I am not certain what it is but it reminds me of Chinese lanterns that you can place in your home or backyard. It seems like she centers her work on science. It is always good to pick one thing that intrigues you and work with it in various ways. Who knew that parabiosis or cells could be made into sculptures? In conclusion, Buster’s website has inspired me more to create a seat that no one would expect to see as a seat. Her work is not consisted of everything that would be expected to be made into art. I do not want my art to be predictable either.

Reflection on Martin Puryear

Martin Puryear has a similar thinking process compared to my own. He tries to reference one thing with another without being too direct or obvious.  For instance, an arch sculpture of Puryear’s can be associated with St. Louis because of the famous arch located in that city. Sculptures that do not necessarily resemble an exact object are the ones that I find myself spending more time in analyzing. I rather spend time in a museum that has more abstract art than art that you can spot and know exactly what you are viewing right away. For instance, for our second project, I want to create a seat that does not look like a traditional seat. It does not have to have a vertical straight back or four legs to support it. I will explore ways to make it easily seen as something to sit on and comfortably, but not so obvious that my dining room table has the same set of chairs that I see every day. Another aspect that I enjoy in Puryear’s work is the diversity. Not all of his works come from American inspiration. Some ideas grow from his experiences in Europe or Africa. Diversity keeps the viewer interested and guessing what is coming next. If all chairs resembled American style during this project, we may get bored and stop wanting to see more. However, if one chair has an Asian feel to it while another clearly resembles Italian background; we are more likely to keep our curiosity of the project’s possibilities at hand. Puryear also uses what he knows and has learned from to create more art. However, he does not feel like as an artist that the spectators need to have much knowledge of where the work originated from or when it came to be. I believe the same, in my own way. Some works, if they are expressing the history of a culture, may need more explanations of where and when they were created. If they work is just spontaneous or for the purpose of just function, background is not really needed. To conclude, I agree that works of art should not just be for the purpose of someone to display them or use them. I believe that each work should have a moral or meaning behind it. The titles of Puryear’s sculptures tell me that he wants that to come out in his art. For example, Puryear has sculptures called Desire and Believer. The titles make the viewer want to analyze the work more because they are relatable to almost anyone. I will make sure to name my seat that I design and create, something that leaves my classmates in wonder.

The Location Without Distortion

This is the location of my final collage. I figured I needed a photo of the place, without it being in a collage form, and simply in it's original state. Thanks to my neighborhood Cedar Creek for provding me such a beautiful setting for photography!

Almost finished! 40 more photos to go!

This is documentation of my collage towards the end of the first project. It was displayed as is for the critique of Bryon Darby, which is a very respectable photographer. I was pleased to find out that he was intrigued by my artistic choices. I hope that the final product is even more intriguing and successful.

Favorite Experiment for a Collage

I would have to pick this photo collage as my favorite so far that I have experimented with. The bright orange and yellowish colors on the bottom really caught my eye. I love how the leaves can easily look almost like a different tree depending on the time of day or lighting. The hat that I chose for my model as well gives the collage something extra. To improve on this idea, I would certainly take shots of the sky and more of the grass or wheat area around the tree.

My Top 4 Collages for Project 1

Idea Outline for Project #1 - Photo Collage

Trees

• bare trees vs. trees still with leaves in same area
• falling leaves 
• breaking branches 
• interaction between person and trees 
• day and night changes within trees 

Streets

• cars driving 
• cars going different directions 
• blinkers and brake lights 
• stop light involved with photos 
• color change of lights and car functions 

Head Hair 

• flipping or head banging 
• bangs swaying 
• movement of body with the hair 
• change of hair color in lighting 
• straight vs curly or wavy 

Singing

• Microphone interaction with singer 
• zoom shots of lips and mouth while singing 
• cord swinging 
• mic stand movement 
• background with music symbols incorporated 

Inspiration for Photo Collage Project

This photo collage, "Ian Washing His Hair", by David Hockney inspired me to think more about the distortion of the human body and incorporating movement into my own project. Instead of a bath tub scene though, I have a few different things in mind. For instance, I thought of putting a combination of one person's body parts together in a fractured form while in a scene of music and singing. Their lips and mouth in general would play a huge part.

What Langauge Looks Like (Project 3)

CHANGE:  The act, process, or result of altering or modifying
                   1. To cause to be different

                   2. To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform

                   3. To give and receive reciprocally; interchange

                   4. To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category

                   5. To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch

                   6. To put a fresh covering on

                   ETC.

Work in Progress! (Project 2)

IDEO "Deep Dive" Reflection

The IDEO video, Deep Dive, opened my eyes to a variety of ways to develop successful inventions or re-designs. Head executives of IDEO have a different – but in my opinion – brilliant approach to creating new products to put onto the market. Saying what you think no matter how crazy or illogical it sounds really can bring about successful ideas. It does not matter if the idea seems irrational because it may just work out. The grocery cart that was made, had some crazy ideas put into it and it turned out pretty awesome if I do say so myself. A mixture of ideas and a new product was quickly made. I loved the fact that the crew was made up of all different people. Not everyone was a designer. Some had biology degrees even, but a passion for design. A diverse team is always the most successful team. “Being playful is the key to being innovative” said one of the bosses of IDEO. This is a true statement because if all that is every happening is people sitting on a computer researching all day long or having their eyes glued on a book, no experiences are taking place. Another point the video made was that criticizing should not be made until the end. In the beginning everyone should have a welcoming, open shot to participate in inventing designs. Going out and asking the expert of a certain field is a great idea as well. Feedback from people that know what they are talking about is a wonderful way to learn and improve. To conclude about the video, the whole concept of “focused chaos”, “failing often to succeed sooner”, and “deep diving” really creates a team of determination, inspiration, and most of all success. Work does not always have to be serious and boring, especially if you love doing it because you love designing and being part of a creative bunch of people.

My Dr. Dre Beats Pro Headphones' Amazing Design

I could sit here typing for hours on why my object is full of amazing design. Of course, the credit goes to Dr. Dre himself, which created these perfected headphones. However, let me tell you the reasons why the Beats are so flawless in design. To start off with, the headphones consist of pure style. They are sleek, shiny, uniquely shaped, and just look comfy to place on your head and around your ears. The fact that the headphones have to do with music makes them one of the most useful products in present day, considering how popular music is. The sound that comes out of these Beats alters the listeners mind into something new. Each word, tone, instrument is heard in any song of preference. An amp can even be hooked up to them for aspiring musicians or already existing ones. Moving to the fact that the product lasts long, it much be great design. No one wants a product as expensive as $500 to break in a month. The headphones are extremely durable being made out of metal and thick cushioning. Twisting every which way makes the product unlike other competitors. Most headphones that can be bought stay one shape, unless damaged. Beats Pro however swivel, stretch, bend, and grow. This is very convient if needing to fit in a small place. Simply put, my Dr. Dre Beats are one of the greatest design products I own. I use them day to day, am proud to be an owner, and would sell a pair to anyone, anytime.

Five Chosen Object Sketches

I chose this cross contour sketch for mainly because it really presents the individual shapes of my headphones. 

I chose this light and shade sketch because of the abstract view that makes the object have so much volume.

I chose this linear combo sketch for the sole reason of presenting the intriguing shaping of the headphone cord. 

I chose this cross contour sketch because of the eye boggling view that the ear speakers have been positioned. 

I chose this positive space sketch because of the shape being so different but very familiar at the same time. 

Objectified Movie Review

I found Objectified to be intriguing even though I am a graphic designer instead of an industrial designer. The designers interviewed for the movie seemed to have complete understandings about their products and why they created them. I agree with the idea that everything around us, excluding nature, is design. It's interesting to think that an extremely simple product can have the such complex ideas behind it. Like the movie suggests, Apple truly does represent amazing and flawless design. I myself have a Dell Studio Laptop but I have an Apple made Ipod Touch and I love every single thing about the product. It's sleek, easy to control, light, and very useful. I would give Objectified a 4 out of 5 review.