Week 3 2D Design

Task 1 - Creative Thinking Exercise

The first exercise was to form groups and choose two random words from a list. We all had our favourite words but eventually decided on two, the 2 girls in the group chose cherry and the two boys chose skull.

We then individual thought about the words and what they represent. 

To me the word cherry evoked the following thoughts:

Great colour, fruit, round, soft, very soft if rotten, rotten dark patches, own stem which is green/ brown, cherry bomb, pie, eat it,

The word skull made me think of ...Death, white, zombie, young boys, pirates, skeleton

From these concepts we then thought about how we could combine the ideas, how they could relate to create two 2D design options.

We were given 20 minutes to illustrate a concept to combine these two sets of words.

My first thought was a  cherry in the eye of a skull, an eye to replace what is missing. To this concept I added a cherry pie with a skull. You might find a fly in your pie, here you find the whole skull and the cherrys.
My second thought was a cherry bottom for the skeleton, does my but look big in this.

 

Task 2 - 2D Design Options

We were to draft three 2D design concepts, invent 2 different options for each of the three designs. The options needed to be different in their shape, media and style.

Design 1: Welcome Sign

Shape: Arial Black

Media: metal

Style: Arial Black

Shape: Script font on an oval sticker  

Media: sticker

Style: Script, retro

Design 2: fish

Shape: fish shape                                      Shape: cube
Media: digital                                           Media: photographic
Style: pop art                                            Style: realism

Design 3: House

Shape: squares
Media: painting and paper cutouts
Style: swiss style

Shape: rectangle with a pitched roof      

Media: wood - digital

Style: realism

Research and Reflection

I found this task difficult at first as my ideas kept turning 3D, it was difficult to make them 2D.

I also needed clarity on what shape, media and style might include. To assist now and in the future I have summarised some ideas under these headings:

Shape: is the physical shape of the object

• rectangle
• square
• triangular
• circular

Media: substance or material the work is made from R001

• digital
• painting
• sketch
• craft materials, eg, wool, string, fabric
• metal
• wood
• plastic
• light
• natural forms, e.g. rocks, sticks

Style: might be a style era or a description of the general presentation

• cubism
• pop art
• art nouveau
• minamalism
• retro
• realism
• abstract
• gothic
• swiss style
• 1960's etc
• Futurism

When researching style, I came across this summary chart (R002 ) which gives insight into what style you might be working towards depending on who you approach the idea. For example. if you see the object you would use a realistic style, if you imagine and feel the object you would use a surreal expressionism style.
In my 2D Designs above I can see my preference for objects that I see, it will be interesting if, over time, this evolves into other style preferences, or, being the practical realistic person I am, will my style follow my personality?

References:

R001: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art

ROO2: http://www.artstylegenerator.com/FORMfields/forms/generated/artstylegenerator.php

Research Art Nouveau

I also continued to look at Art Nouveau style and found this great example of how to photoshop an image into Art Nouveau, this may come in handy with my future endeavours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F74mKkoPgcc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03hA_TqLyTA

I also loved the effects used here in photoshop, a great idea. The light also looks like a magical fire, this might come in handy.

When watching a bad movie on the weekend I remembered my appreciation for the 1950's cartoon style ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohd7RGFte3Q

 

Week 3 3D Design

Task 1 - Design an Eco-friendly form of Transport

This week was about designing a eco-friendly form of transport based on the reduce concept. We were then to brand our design with a catchy name.

My initial design looked at gears, this was ditched when I could see it not working.

I then thought of the step exercise machines and whether this could convert to movement. As I continued down this path I could see my design turning into what looked like a bicycle as I searched for balance.

My third and final idea was to base the design on a wheelchair, a form of transport that uses just the arms for movement but, for the able you could also use the power of your legs to assist movement. So I combined this idea with a large wheel for a faster ride.  As I continued with this idea, I thought there might not be a need to actually use your arms or legs. As a mouse runs in its wheel, its forward weight turns the wheel.
If a person was suspended in the wheel and their weight was shifted forward, without using their arms or legs this could turn the wheel. A new form of transport that is eco-friendly.

What to name it?

The Roller

Robby Roller

the cube (irony)

Swing Move

Design

Shape: round

Media: rubber and light weight durable steal
Style: industrial

The Swing Move

Research

When googling my concept I found someone had invented a motorbike with the same design concept, i.e. a person suspended in the middle of a large wheel, pictured below.

http://www.transportblog.com/archives/002845.html

Research 

One concept for a 3D Design may involve a shadow box. As I am not aware of how to make this I Have done some searching on you Tube....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3IQXJMS79w

Here a person uses a cutlery tray as a shadow box.

Week 2 3D Design

Task 1.   Identifying sources of information

Researching sources of information is found in Week 2 2D and 3D Design

Task 2. Create a design for a CDU Design Student Shoulder Bag

Instructions included:

• Use any tools you wish 
• Address these 3 points of difference in your design 
• Shape
• Media
• Style

The concept for my bag is something fun, gloss colour, retro look.

Something like ...

this style

with this sewing technique

with these colours

and in this shape

So I am looking for a long strap rectangular bag, made of a semi-gloss vinyl with a definite stitch down the side. It should reflect a contemporary version of the retro look.

My early drawings looked like this:

The concept here is to add "U" (you) to CDU

The 2nd concept included the use of a QR code linking to the CDU web site

final draft design

As they say, it's not only how good it looks, but how long it looks good ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749iU2Zv1kw&feature=player_embedded#!

Week2 - 2D Design

This week, as a group exercise we looked at and collated sources of information. Following this activity we designed a new background for our blog.

Task 1.   Identifying sources of information

Top 5 search engines worldwide

Google #1, Yahoo #2, Baidu #3, Bing #4 and Ask #5 (reference top 5 internet search engines in world)

It's important to use different search engines because results can vary depending on what you and others generally look at, therefore different results are produced by different search engines.

Alternative to search engine use 

• You can visit a library to look at magazines, books – Michelle Turner is the creative arts library specialist at CDU 
• Forums and discussion boards 
• Industry specific websites 
• Local Galleries 
• Museum 
• Television 
• Facebook 
• Communicating with other artists 

Using web sites like:

• Youtube 
• Whitepapers http://www.whitepapers.org/ - research reports 
• Eyemagazine http://www.eyemagazine.com/home.php
• International Journal of Design http://www.ijdesign.org/ojs/index.php/IJDesign/
• Graphis – Cherill favorite http://www.graphis.com/ 
• I like this site because it is visually exciting, inspirational and covers both photography and advertising
• Facebook – André favourite
• Andrea likes the versatility of facebook, so many users with different points of view
• Kati Vond - Andre's favourite Tattoo art http://www.katvond.net/  
• Andre would like to be a tattoo artist and finds this site inspirational
• Global Design Source http://www.g-d-s.net/
• Design Mag - http://designm.ag/inspiration/design-inspiration-toolbox/
• The design files – Queenie's favourite http://thedesignfiles.net/
• Design you trust – Paul's favourite http://designyoutrust.com
• Paul likes that this site has so much to offer, the subjects are varied and educational

There are different ways to word your web searches 

• You can put an “ around particular words to narrow the search to the string of words. 
• Add a “-“ to exclude certain words, for example – cats will return a search without reference to cats 
• Ctrl F, then type the word you are looking for on an opened web site to find your particular reference 

You can also use the following features:

• Google – wildcard for a broader search  
• Boolean Search – use and / or gives more variation on search 
• Google Scholar – research and peer review information, academic writers 

(Reference class material, reference http://websearch.about.com/od/internetresearch/a/genericsearch.htm)

Task 2 : Design a new background for your blog

In the break I took a number of photos using my iPhone and emailed them to my university account. 

I initially choose a frangipani tree with a sky background. I found that when placed as a background the tile effect was messy as the join was not aligned. Text also covered the interesting focal points of the picture, leaving me looking for anther option.

My second choice was a photo of flax from the garden, again the text covered the interesting light arrangement in the centre of the photo, so I decided not to use it.

Finally, I chose the bark of a tree for a more consistent background with less obvious joins. To reduce the file size I added artistic effects.

For all files I ensured the photo was a minimum of 2560 x 1440 pixels as this is the resolution of the monitors at university. I also ensured that each file was less than 300kb and saved for web and other devices.

Initial choice

Second option

Final choice - Original photo from my iPhone 4

The following steps were taken to achieve the final result:

• solarise
• glowing edges
• diffuse clouds

Final design for blog background

My final design ....

Shape - saved at a minimum of 2560 pixels wide, constraining the proportions for height and document size. Not tiled as a background.
Media - I have used my iPhone 4 to take the photo before applying artistic effect in photoshop

Style - The colour background represents two things, the red tone represents vigour and passion for design, the  brown earthy tone reflects substance and my down to earth nature.

Research

What is QR code and how does it work? R001

QR Code is Quick Response Code, a 2D code. It was first used by a Toyota subsidiary (Denso) to track cars during the manufacturing process. It is popular because it is fast to be read and has a large storage capacity compares to bar codes.
QR "code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square pattern on a white background." The code can include data like numbers, letters and binary.

Apps for QR codes can be found on smartphones.

The amount of data that can be stored in a QR code depends on the datatype. The error level varies depending on how much data is stored.

"Version 40 (177×177). Content: "Version 40 QR Code can contain up to 1852 chars." R001

There are different types of QR codes:

• Micro QR Code - holds a maximum of 35 numeric characters
• Standard QR Code - contain up to 7,089 characters
• Custom or artistic QR codes - are standard QR codes with colour and shape added to them for artistic purposes

Here is a short video to show what they can do.

Here is some creative ways to use QR Codes

Reference:
R001: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

3D objects from Territory Craft Members' Exhibition

During the week I visited the Territory Craft Members' Exhibition, July 2012, Outside the Square. If you're not familiar with it, it is located near the Darwin Museum in the Northern Territory. I thought I'd share some of, but not all, of my favourite pieces.

Birds on a Log, ironwood log with glass birds by Andrea McKey

I enjoyed the contrast of the natural wood, its texture and deep earthy tones with the fresh, bright reflective colours of the birds. I also appreciated the simplicity of the birds, the colours are not mixed, there is no attempt to add individual feathers, just simple shapes representing the bird.

Nest Light and Pod Light, cane, palm & banana fibre by Catherine Buckley

The use of natural materials to make these enchanting lights is fabulous. The soft light would add to the relaxing feeling and ambience in any room where a natural theme was required.

Paint a flower

I'm searching for a 3D reference and I find this link video, instructions on how to paint a flower. I'm not too keen on the flower but it is amazing that the artist makes it look so easy. I do like the final leaf pattern, if I do something Art Nouveau this might come in handy. I'm thinking that my 3D exhibition piece should reflect both a decorative, Art Nouveau style and the Swiss Style.

More bad 2D Designs

If you are looking for more 2D Designs that miss the mark check out this link: http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/

Is seems that colour, bad graphics, unexplained functions, unreadable text, lack of product sensibility, automatic unwelcome downloads, lack of focus and visual mayhem are just the start of problem 2D Designs. I'm sure these will at some point momentarily feature in my new creations, being aware of them will hopefully keep this moment short.