David (Jaiwei) Duan–Model/Laser cut group - http://davidduan.wordpress.com/
What is it?
A sorting machine for ideas represented on paper. More of a system than a machine, in which either flat pieces of paper or scrunched up paper are randomly sorted by a fixed arrangement of maze like pathways. In his own words his design acts like a sieve for ideas. Ideas enter by being dropped into the top and come out sorted into different piles at the bottom. The idea operates on a large scale, with a height that covers a floor and being able to take paper up to an A1 size. The design is integrated into the studio, done so by attaching to the wall and spanning the space between level 2 and 3.
How did he use relevant technologies?
There was an obvious use of the laser cutter in the production of his final design and appears to be some use in the mock up stages. The laser cutter has been used in the conventional way but has produced a convincing and precise result.
How is the design informed by the literature?
There is a direct link to the paper piles/collections found in the literature. David’s concept was to automate autonomies and randomise the process of organisation seen in the literature. This has been done effectively and been adapted to suit the ‘trash’ produced in studio
Critique
David’s idea, while simple is beautifully effective. His presentation in which a miniature version was operational with only a minor hitch which was due to the scale it was presented at rather than a specific design flaw. I like the way this design results in communal regeneration of ideas and encourages students to regenerate ideas rather than throw them out or store permanently in their lockers without another thought. It was designed with the architecture studio at the University of Auckland being specifically in mind which has created a unique form reference to his design. This relevance to the building is seen through the use of the 45o angle consistently present in the building’s design and in David’s system, showing he has an understanding of the building that he is designing for. The idea of movement in David’s design, seen as like the studio structure the design structure is exposed, is particularly strong and dynamic which is a unique feature as many designs result mostly in the static storage of designs. Possible critiques could be that this system does not allow for the regeneration of models (unless photographed) and in his A3 pictures it looks as if the system is inconveniently located directly in front of a studio window. Presentation could further be improved by taking photographs without the interference of plastic bags e.t.c.
Overall I think David’s design works well, fully engaging with the text’s concepts and offering a working, plausible solution to the design brief.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Peer Review 001 - Kelly Chapman
Kelly Chapman –Model/Laser cut group -http://www.kelly-nicoletti-that-office.blogspot.com/
What is it?
Using a blazer/dinner styled jacket Kelly’s trash can system involves attaching pieces of fabric (including metal chain and some usually un-wearable fabrics) to the inside of this jacket. Kelly’s design allows for storage of materials that have inspired her and/or hold specific meaning to her. The material’s act as patches for her jacket and are free to be placed anywhere she desires (no fixed path) allowing for versatility and variety. By using materials there is almost no limit on the ideas (fabric) that can be attached to Kelly’s jacket, meaning she can continue to use it and add to it.
The design is inspired by the childhood story “Wild Rose” in which a young girl wears black clothing with fabrics of all different colours on the inside as an expression of indecision and personality. This links to Kelly’s design as she use colour as representation of ideas and through the way numerous ideas are allowed to come together in one garment.
How did she use relevant technologies?
As Kelly’s design is fabric based she did not use make excessive use of the laser cutter. She did however experiment with fabric and the laser cut, to intentionally damage the fabric (of the jacket), but instead of using the laser cutter in her final design she opted for a more randomised way of damaging her jacket (through wear and tear).
How is the design informed by the literature?
This elimination of controlled damage linked to the prescribed text as it eliminated “joes”. Other than this Kelly’s design linked to the ‘trash-can’ theme and reading though the simple idea of a trash-can in which nothing is thrown away but reintroduced and recycled into a wearable garment.
Critique
Personally I liked Kelly’s design as it offered a different solution using wildly different materials than many of the designs and have no problem with only a light use of. The design is quite personal as it comes into physical contact with the body but has the potential of being subtly public if worn open (unbuttoned). Possible problems would occur when attaching a model – although parts of a dismantled model were attached and made to mould to the shape of Kelly’s body.
As a system of reintroduction of it may also have problems – as usually people pay little attention to the inside of their clothing and it could be argued that the garment would be used more as a dumping ground than a system of reintroduction for ideas – which to me was a fundamental element in the reading. This is to a degree counteracted by the highly tactile nature of the design and its recycled nature (possibly a different interpretation of the reintroduction idea in the text). Furthermore sowing fabric onto the jacket is time and effort consuming, meaning it may not appeal or be useful for a lot of people wanting more efficient designs. It is also not a communal solution, but that may be to the benefit of the wearer.
To conclude the jacket is well made, sculpted to fit Kelly’s own body, and would work well for tactile people, those on a limited budget or with space concerns.
What is it?
Using a blazer/dinner styled jacket Kelly’s trash can system involves attaching pieces of fabric (including metal chain and some usually un-wearable fabrics) to the inside of this jacket. Kelly’s design allows for storage of materials that have inspired her and/or hold specific meaning to her. The material’s act as patches for her jacket and are free to be placed anywhere she desires (no fixed path) allowing for versatility and variety. By using materials there is almost no limit on the ideas (fabric) that can be attached to Kelly’s jacket, meaning she can continue to use it and add to it.
The design is inspired by the childhood story “Wild Rose” in which a young girl wears black clothing with fabrics of all different colours on the inside as an expression of indecision and personality. This links to Kelly’s design as she use colour as representation of ideas and through the way numerous ideas are allowed to come together in one garment.
How did she use relevant technologies?
As Kelly’s design is fabric based she did not use make excessive use of the laser cutter. She did however experiment with fabric and the laser cut, to intentionally damage the fabric (of the jacket), but instead of using the laser cutter in her final design she opted for a more randomised way of damaging her jacket (through wear and tear).
How is the design informed by the literature?
This elimination of controlled damage linked to the prescribed text as it eliminated “joes”. Other than this Kelly’s design linked to the ‘trash-can’ theme and reading though the simple idea of a trash-can in which nothing is thrown away but reintroduced and recycled into a wearable garment.
Critique
Personally I liked Kelly’s design as it offered a different solution using wildly different materials than many of the designs and have no problem with only a light use of. The design is quite personal as it comes into physical contact with the body but has the potential of being subtly public if worn open (unbuttoned). Possible problems would occur when attaching a model – although parts of a dismantled model were attached and made to mould to the shape of Kelly’s body.
As a system of reintroduction of it may also have problems – as usually people pay little attention to the inside of their clothing and it could be argued that the garment would be used more as a dumping ground than a system of reintroduction for ideas – which to me was a fundamental element in the reading. This is to a degree counteracted by the highly tactile nature of the design and its recycled nature (possibly a different interpretation of the reintroduction idea in the text). Furthermore sowing fabric onto the jacket is time and effort consuming, meaning it may not appeal or be useful for a lot of people wanting more efficient designs. It is also not a communal solution, but that may be to the benefit of the wearer.
To conclude the jacket is well made, sculpted to fit Kelly’s own body, and would work well for tactile people, those on a limited budget or with space concerns.
Peer Review Session 001 - Jeffery (Chow, Chi-Ho)
Instead of having a formal crit process this semester we are having a more informal peer review session. These are my first peer reviews.
Jeffery (Chow, Chi-Ho) –Model/Laser cut group - http://jaeff.blogspot.com/2010/08/trash-can-project.html
What is it?
Jeffery’s design is an integrated floor design for level 2 studio space. A glass floor comprised of lift up lids sections lead down to a storage space under the floor. This space acts as visible storage space for drawings and models of all students. The floor being made out of glass allows for students to draw and write on the floor, which in turn allows for an open dialogue on stored ideas. The design has been thought out so that it can also b applied to the upper studios, and necessities such as the sprinkler system has been incorporated as further hanging storage for drawings. A standout feature is the pressure sensor lights that track the movement of those walking on the floor allowing for people to generate their own systems of randomisation to help inform regeneration of ideas.
How did she use relevant technologies?
Jeffery’s entire model was cut using the laser cutter; this resulted in a precise result that conveyed its message well. Further use could have been achieved though experimentation but considering the design that was not necessary. It would have been very effective if he had managed to put the hinge system in the model as his design is very much reliant on it. Regardless, the design and use of relevant technologies is very convincing.
How is the design informed by the literature?
Jeffery expressed that this design, while in developed from the literature does not have any direct links to the system discussed in the literature. It is far more haphazard and more suited to the studio environment. Despite Jeffery’s claim of lacking a direct link, I think it has good possibility for the recycling and regeneration of ideas in a communal way.
Critique
Jeffery’s design was one of the most convincing designs I saw during the peer review session. I particularly liked how his design became communal and acknowledges the fact that all designers often find inspiration from work that is not their own. I further like the open and anonymous dialogue that the class floor gives to the design. It is totally appropriate for the studio environment and allows for people working on different projects or in different year levels to comment on pieces of work. One of my few comments would be the board that his model was attached to, presumably acting as a piece of wall this could have done with being cleaner or even painted, as I found it slightly detracted from his model. When presenting he would benefit from having his model and paper work in the same location. My only concern about the design itself would be the scale of the lift up panels, and weather that would be feasible at the size they are, seeming to require so disruption to open, but to achieve its full visual affect I think the size is appropriate. Overall presentation of Jeffery’s work is convincing, both in model and drawn form. It gives a clear idea of exactly how the design would operate in relation to studio. His design is definitely worked on multiple levels and was extremely impressive.
Jeffery (Chow, Chi-Ho) –Model/Laser cut group - http://jaeff.blogspot.com/2010/08/trash-can-project.html
What is it?
Jeffery’s design is an integrated floor design for level 2 studio space. A glass floor comprised of lift up lids sections lead down to a storage space under the floor. This space acts as visible storage space for drawings and models of all students. The floor being made out of glass allows for students to draw and write on the floor, which in turn allows for an open dialogue on stored ideas. The design has been thought out so that it can also b applied to the upper studios, and necessities such as the sprinkler system has been incorporated as further hanging storage for drawings. A standout feature is the pressure sensor lights that track the movement of those walking on the floor allowing for people to generate their own systems of randomisation to help inform regeneration of ideas.
How did she use relevant technologies?
Jeffery’s entire model was cut using the laser cutter; this resulted in a precise result that conveyed its message well. Further use could have been achieved though experimentation but considering the design that was not necessary. It would have been very effective if he had managed to put the hinge system in the model as his design is very much reliant on it. Regardless, the design and use of relevant technologies is very convincing.
How is the design informed by the literature?
Jeffery expressed that this design, while in developed from the literature does not have any direct links to the system discussed in the literature. It is far more haphazard and more suited to the studio environment. Despite Jeffery’s claim of lacking a direct link, I think it has good possibility for the recycling and regeneration of ideas in a communal way.
Critique
Jeffery’s design was one of the most convincing designs I saw during the peer review session. I particularly liked how his design became communal and acknowledges the fact that all designers often find inspiration from work that is not their own. I further like the open and anonymous dialogue that the class floor gives to the design. It is totally appropriate for the studio environment and allows for people working on different projects or in different year levels to comment on pieces of work. One of my few comments would be the board that his model was attached to, presumably acting as a piece of wall this could have done with being cleaner or even painted, as I found it slightly detracted from his model. When presenting he would benefit from having his model and paper work in the same location. My only concern about the design itself would be the scale of the lift up panels, and weather that would be feasible at the size they are, seeming to require so disruption to open, but to achieve its full visual affect I think the size is appropriate. Overall presentation of Jeffery’s work is convincing, both in model and drawn form. It gives a clear idea of exactly how the design would operate in relation to studio. His design is definitely worked on multiple levels and was extremely impressive.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Posters
These are the posters that I presented on Thursday - Dermott asked us to upload them on to our blogs so our peers can write their reviews underneath.
I don't think I really got what these posters were about and probably should have had some of the text present in my blog entry on it in explanation. (oops)
There were some amazingly well done posters, not so much from those working on secondlife, but those from other groups. I really need to find out how to make images that integrat existing spaces with new ideas and in general take good photos.
Page One
Page Two
I don't think I really got what these posters were about and probably should have had some of the text present in my blog entry on it in explanation. (oops)
There were some amazingly well done posters, not so much from those working on secondlife, but those from other groups. I really need to find out how to make images that integrat existing spaces with new ideas and in general take good photos.
Page One
Page Two
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Lesson in Politics
Since starting back for the second semester, I have been working on a new design project (we’ll minus the first four days). This design project is metaphorically termed “trash can” and is part of a larger carnival-esque design topic.
For our metaphoric trash can we have had to design something that stores and reintroduces ideas, namely those cast of as junk. My group in particular were required to work with second life and make our design a part of a larger Rube Goldberg machine.
My idea’s surrounding this project stemmed from our first, 3 day project concerning the grotesque in which I took a satirical and cynical view of the justice system.
This gradually resulted in this, my final product, which continues not so much with the same imagery as used in the first project, with the same themes, although less critical and more observant. The concept is that people can be represented/defined by their ideas (represented in turn my a ball when operating), and the filtering of these ideas, by swinging door, is symbolic of the way in which the justice system (is supposed to) filter out the good and the bad from society – the filtration can be temporary as any second life user with build privileges on Putahi should be able to take that idea out of its confinement.
We were also required to make a sculptie (sculpted prim) using 3dsmax – and trust me its not as easy as it looks. For mine I made fabric like bundles, reminiscent of classic imagery used in the story of the stork which brings the baby to its parents – encapsulating the ideas of (re)birth and (re)generation. It is duplicated and arranged in a way that is representative of the scales used frequently in imagery surrounding justice and court systems (usually in conjunction with Lady Justice). This arrangement ties the sculptie back to the overall theme of my design.
The hardest part of this assignment I think has been the politics. Trying to convince people that connecting/linking to my idea in the project is a good idea, and subsequently convincing people that there is a need to compromise and do things, such as move location, for the good of everyone. I’ve moved twice, had at least 1 person say they’ll link to me and then decide not to, had to accommodate 2 people either side of me not having compatible sizes of ideas (thus I, the middle man, need to find a solution) and of course numerous miss understandings. Also, I guarantee that I have lost prims along the way ...eeek...Putahi is very cluttered at the moment.
I have to be honest here and say there were probably moments where my design looked very different to what it turned up like, and those are moments I have not documented, as once I’m working I’m focused and forget the niggle little details like photographs. Hopefully I’ll get better at this as I go on and develop appropriate habits.
Furthermore, on reflection, there I could probably take better photos so i might do in the morning. Also I tried to get wegame to film my portion of the Rube Goldberg Machine, but all it did was crash secondlife and be utterly annoying. I'm tired now, a shower and bed I think. Good luck to everyone still working.
For our metaphoric trash can we have had to design something that stores and reintroduces ideas, namely those cast of as junk. My group in particular were required to work with second life and make our design a part of a larger Rube Goldberg machine.
My idea’s surrounding this project stemmed from our first, 3 day project concerning the grotesque in which I took a satirical and cynical view of the justice system.
This gradually resulted in this, my final product, which continues not so much with the same imagery as used in the first project, with the same themes, although less critical and more observant. The concept is that people can be represented/defined by their ideas (represented in turn my a ball when operating), and the filtering of these ideas, by swinging door, is symbolic of the way in which the justice system (is supposed to) filter out the good and the bad from society – the filtration can be temporary as any second life user with build privileges on Putahi should be able to take that idea out of its confinement.
We were also required to make a sculptie (sculpted prim) using 3dsmax – and trust me its not as easy as it looks. For mine I made fabric like bundles, reminiscent of classic imagery used in the story of the stork which brings the baby to its parents – encapsulating the ideas of (re)birth and (re)generation. It is duplicated and arranged in a way that is representative of the scales used frequently in imagery surrounding justice and court systems (usually in conjunction with Lady Justice). This arrangement ties the sculptie back to the overall theme of my design.
The hardest part of this assignment I think has been the politics. Trying to convince people that connecting/linking to my idea in the project is a good idea, and subsequently convincing people that there is a need to compromise and do things, such as move location, for the good of everyone. I’ve moved twice, had at least 1 person say they’ll link to me and then decide not to, had to accommodate 2 people either side of me not having compatible sizes of ideas (thus I, the middle man, need to find a solution) and of course numerous miss understandings. Also, I guarantee that I have lost prims along the way ...eeek...Putahi is very cluttered at the moment.
I have to be honest here and say there were probably moments where my design looked very different to what it turned up like, and those are moments I have not documented, as once I’m working I’m focused and forget the niggle little details like photographs. Hopefully I’ll get better at this as I go on and develop appropriate habits.
Furthermore, on reflection, there I could probably take better photos so i might do in the morning. Also I tried to get wegame to film my portion of the Rube Goldberg Machine, but all it did was crash secondlife and be utterly annoying. I'm tired now, a shower and bed I think. Good luck to everyone still working.
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