Project #5 -- Final Evolution

After our crit with Prof. Volshansky-Nieves, it was suggested that the negative space could be used as positive space and the kiosk would then be opened up even more.  We explored this, making the walls out of strips of ribbon on four sides (where ribbon would naturally be on a present).  This worked!  At first, it felt too open, but we put some structure to it by adding 3 inch plexiglass strips of "wall" and covering them with 3 inch ribbon.  It really opened up the space and allowed for greater access by customers.  Within, we placed a rectangular table (refined from earlier explorations) and the four racks of paper.  The final kiosk is pictured below:

This is a photo of the large display system.  Rose did all the work on this!

Project #5 -- Group Project

My group consisted of myself, Rose Kaspersen and Suzanne Vaughn.  Our category was pens and stationery.  We chose to focus on wrapping paper.  Initially, our idea was to feature high quality, rare papers from around the world.  Some early ideas for a name included "Global Coverage", "Paper Exotica".  I liked Global Coverage best (as it was my idea ; )  and thought of having a different region featured on different racks/sections of the kiosk.  As a group, however, it was decided that we would not focus on the international aspect, but more on the exotic or special aspect of our wrapping papers. 

We developed some initial study models based on a variety of shapes, evolving into a 10x10 square (we stuck pretty strictly to the project requirements -- thought we had to, but, clearly, many ended up using very different dimensions).  We studied and tried out a variety of materials and wanted to do something that would allow light into the kiosk so that the papers could be highlighted, and, if possible, viewed from the outside.  We used 3-form as part of the walls.  These had bamboo embedded.  We were thinking "natural" and "Asian", but it was pointed out that "Asian" is not really exotic-- particularly to Asians -- VERY FAIR POINT!  Furthermore, our theme was unclear and not clearly related to our product.  Also a fair point.  So, we went back to  the drawing board.

This is where we went after our initial crit with Prof Anderson  We went to a kiosk in the shape of a present.

  The negative space is where the ribbon would be.

 

 

 

 

Our present kiosk was then covered with "exotic" high quality papers to feature our products

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Here's a more refined version of our preset kiosk.  The height is 12 feet (as specified).  The kiosk is topped by a large bow.  The idea is that this kiosk will be located within a shopping all outside of a high-end store such as Neiman Marcus.  The kiosk will be viewed from upper levels of the mall, so the bow will draw attention.  You can see within, the racks (made of plexiglass) and small rolls of wrapping paper displayed.  In the center is a rectangular table which will contain the payment mechanicsm and bows, ribbons, tape and scissors (etc...) needed to wrap presents for our customers.

Project #3 - photos of final project

I realized I never included a photo of my final project #3.

I spoke about the process, but below are photos of the final result....

Project # 4 -- Process

More on the process of project #4....below are a couple of drawings of early ideas.  In addition, I have included a photo of the study model of a ship.  It was a challenge to make.  And, in the end, it became clear that it would be difficult to "ground".

Project # 4 -- Process (continued)

This was the first attempt at the Lincoln memorial -- reflecting project #2 -- what you write can change the world

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Side view of final display system

This is a photo of the final display system.  Lincoln sits mid-way in the top structure (may be hard to see.  The boxes (containers) sit on either side of the steps.

Project # 4 -- Process

This was my very first model -- a very very rough version of a pirate ship.  My initial thought was to stack my treasure chests on the deck, or perhaps on the gang plank leading to the ship, or a dock adjacent to the ship.

This was my first working model for the in-studio crit.  It was meant to depict the ocean leading up to the shore and the boxes were meant to be washed ashore.

 

 

Project #4 -- Process

This is a LATE posting.  I kept forgetting about the blog.  Project #4 is now completed, but it was a very interesting experience.  I started out focused on the fact that my container is a treasure chest and felt I was bound by that.  So, my initial ideas were: a pirate ship, a lagoon in which I would place the "burried" treasure.  I made several sketches, and had some ideas about how that could be fun.  My first model was a rough pirate ship.  It was difficult to make, but after looking at it and turning it around, it was hard to imagine where I would put the boxes.  I decided they would be on the deck.  I also liked the lagoon idea.  For my first crit, I had created something along those lines.  I made an ascending shelf system which represented the beach at the top, descending down into the ocean.  The idea was that the boxes had washed ashore.  I made this out of found materials, but covered it in green and blue tissue paper and added fishing net, shells.  I think it looked fairly good and I liked the idea.  I received varied feed back at our initial crit.  A few felt the concept was strong.  Several suggested I go with a more elegant and streamlined nautical look (i.e Ralph Lauren).  Others noted that the idea was more focused on the container and departed from my original concept of the power of the pen.  Professor Anderson suggested something like the Lincoln Memorial to tie in my poster, in which I depict MLK and his speech at the Memorial.  The theme of the poster was "What you write can change the world".

Reflections on in-class crit

I found the group "gallery style" review of all the container projects very helpful and interesting.  I loved seeing all the final products -- not just those from my section.  This was a really good use of time as it gave students the ability to see the range of ideas, levels of craftmanship. 

With regard to our in-section crit, I found the other students' comments very helpful.  I was given suggestions regarding the lettering and how I could apply it on transparent paper to create a more professional and clean look.  I think the crits, themselves, are actually getting better.  The first we had seemed to be an effort on the part of a few (not many) to spew negative comments in an effort to be noticed.  This was unfortunate.  On the other hand, it is clear that we all have to develop thick skin and try not to take things personally -- that's just part of the process.

Project #3

My final container was a rectangular box for my pen in the image of a treasure chest.  After several explorations, I was comfortable with the final version.  The final study model I created was a treasure chest made from chipboard using a variety of objects to decorate it as a treasure chest.  I used strips of leather, secured by brads, and created a lock using thin sheets of copper.  I refined the study model for the final version using balsa wood, a more substantial leather and found stronger/larger brads to secure the leather strips.  I used a strip of adhesive paper to secure the top of the box so that it was flexible.  Finally, I created an inner container to hold the pen.  I created it out of chipboard and covered it in deep blue velvet.  The inner container was difficult to size.  I created several versions, many of which were too large or too cumbersome to comfortably place it within the box.  The final version was jammed in there, but it worked.

The idea behind this container is "Unlock the Power" of your pen.  The pen, being of high quality, was locked in a treasure box.  When one opens the lid, the inside of the lid has the tag line "Unlock the Power".   Continuing with the theme I have had throughout, this project (#3) communicates the notion that people have the power within them to write great and influential things, the treasure chest is symbolic of internal restraints that prohibit people from using that power.

Project #2

The image below is my "poster" for project #2.  My product is a pen.  I am continuing my theme of the power of the pen.  The idea is that MLK wrote (and spoke) just a few words that came to represent a cultural and ideological shift in the nation.  Again, the power of the pen.  The power of words.  Words can change the world.  In my initial explorations for this project, I had a variety of important documents in mind....the Bible, Koran, Torah, Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, etc...  I wanted to somehow depict the images of those signing or writing these documents (there are several good images of the founding fathers signing with quill pens).  I thought of a timeline, perhaps, listing the signing or writing of historically important documents.  But, in the end, it all seemed too cumbersome, too busy and difficult to depict visually.  After feedback from my instructor, I narrowed it down to the one image of MLK.  It was definitely streamlined and, I thought, impactful.  But, it received a great deal of harsh criticism in the class crit.  My graphic skills are lacking and this was apparent in the poster.  I don't have Illustrator or Photoshop, so I used Powerpoint.  This limiting factor clearly impacted the success of my project.  I had hoped it would have the impact intended, but it clearly did not succeed in doing so.

Project #1

This is my "postcard" depicting the "Power of the Pen".  The idea behind this is that the pen is mightier than the sword/words have greater power than weapons/words can change the world.

Packaging project...

This assignment, at first, seemed very daunting.  It's one thing to try to create an image/story about an object two-dimensionally, it's another to do it in 3D.  And, it's particularly challenging to create a package that is unique and doesn't simply repeat what has already been done commercially.   In designing a package, I considered several ideas.  One was based my initial theme of "The Power of Words"/"The Pen is Mighter Than the Sword".  This concept was represented in the first assignment by the pen as strong man/body builder postcard.   Building on that concept, I developed the advertisement (assignment #2) depicting Martin Luther King delivering his "I have a dream" speech.  The idea was that words can be so powerful that they can change the world, as did MLK's speech.  The project was heavily criticized for it's graphic presentation (which was done in powerpoint as I don't have, or know how to use, photoshop or illustrator).  Clearly, powerpoint does not provide the flexibility needed and did not allow me to do what I wanted to do graphically.  Having said that, I think the theme is a strong one and I am using it to guide my designs for project #3.

Thus far, I have developed two rough models.  One is a rectangular box with a padlock at the top.  The tag line behind this one is "Unlock the Power" -- again the power of words, the power of what a person can write/say.  The second is a box enveloped by wings.  The wings idea is "let your words take flight". The feed back I received in class about that idea was that it was very feminine and would not appeal to a male market.  I am now concentrating on the lock/power idea and developing some alternative images.

Blog assignment #1

The site I chose to review is www.wagonized.typepad.com.  The others were interesting, but this one really hit me.  I loved all the portraits.  Some were self-portraits and some were of loved ones doing mundane things (such as, watching The Daily Show).  Initially, from viewing the sketches, I assumed that there were several artists on here.  There are disparate styles among the sketches.  After reading about the artist who has created this blog, I learned that the artist on here is a former art student who had a career teaching, but never let go of her love of sketching.  I love her work.  The level of detail is remarkable.  Many of her sketches employ cross-hatching very liberally to create a strong sense of depth.  A few sketches, in particular  ("Unmerciful",  "Pigmas & Patton" and "Incredulous") were particularly successful in their use of shading.  I feel the faces really came alive.  They were done in such a way that you would recognize those people on the street.