Approved Campaign-model work

The project is coming a long nicely. We've decided to work with a 28 ft "semi" truck versus a 47 foot truck. Working with a full 47 feet was getting stressful and all of our programing still fits nicely in a smaller space.

The group met several times over the weekend. We decided on a final floor plan and created a new display system that is drastically different from the one project 0.3. We also decided to divide up the work for class on tuesday. Kye and I are working on the model, Leah is working on a model for the new display, and Meagan is working on the techinal drawings and doing a few renderings of the space.

Overall we are making a lot of progress.

Pictures to come on Tuesday, when all of the work is together and I can photograph it.

Foudations 0.5 thoughts continued

A second inspiration was the NPR Story Corps permanant booth in Grand Central Station, NYC:

Also, I was inspired by a new trend in architecture, that recycles giant shipping crates:

Central Park

As a group, we thought that a combination of these concepts could work in our design. We decided to start with a semi truck, and use the shipping container of the back of the semi, as a moving kiosk and store.

We thought it could be cool to slice out parts of the container and replace pieces with large glass windows, The idea of this transparent container floating down the highway is so thrilling. Everyone on the high way would stare, making it a wonderful advertisement for project Approved and a great way to spread the message. Inside, there would be space for information as well as an area to sell stamps and Approved merchandise like hats and t-shirts.

For next class, we decided it would be best if we each came up with our own design for the interior of the truck. at the beginning of class we would each give a mini-presentation to the rest of the group, and move from there.

0.5 Thoughts

After just one brainstorming session, the group for project 0.5 was so inspired by my object, the approved stamp, that we decided to create a kiosk that would act not only act as a place to sell our merchandise, but also as a setting to advertise a new movement. 

As our concept grew, we talked about how the idea of approval is so broad, it could be applied to various realms of life: politics, parenting, clothing and censorship. We thought: We are constantly surrounded by an environment that is filled with censorship; Advertisements, newspapers, public ideas are always being edited by a larger voice, "the man" if you will. But less and less, the public is being asked, "what do you think?","do you approve?". That's when we a realized, we wanted the people to demand their voice be heard.

 We began to model project Approved after Shepard Fairy's OBEY stickers. However, instead of stickers, we would sell approved stamps so people can go around stamping things they approved. 

On obeygiant.com, Fairey describes a concept called phenomenology:

The OBEY sticker campaign can be explained as an experiment in Phenomenology. Heidegger describes Phenomenology as “the process of letting things manifest themselves.” Phenomenology attempts to enable people to see clearly something that is right before their eyes but obscured; things that are so taken for granted that they are muted by abstract observation.


The FIRST AIM OF PHENOMENOLOGY is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one’s environment. The OBEY sticker attempts to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the sticker and their relationship with their surroundings. Because people are not used to seeing advertisements or propaganda for which the product or motive is not obvious, frequent and novel encounters with the sticker provoke thought and possible frustration, nevertheless revitalizing the viewer’s perception and attention to detail. The sticker has no meaning but exists only to cause people to react, to contemplate and search for meaning in the sticker. Because OBEY has no actual meaning, the various reactions and interpretations of those who view it reflect their personality and the nature of their sensibilities.


Many people who are familiar with the sticker find the image itself amusing, recognizing it as nonsensical, and are able to derive 
straightforward visual pleasure without burdening themselves with an explanation. The PARANOID OR CONSERVATIVE VIEWER however may be confused by the sticker’s persistent presence and condemn it as an underground cult with subversive intentions. Many stickers have been peeled down by people who were annoyed by them, considering them an eye sore and an act of petty vandalism, which is ironic considering the number of commercial graphic images everyone in American society is assaulted with daily.


Another phenomenon the sticker has brought to light is the trendy and CONSPICUOUSLY CONSUMPTIVE nature of many members of society. For those who have been surrounded by the sticker, its familiarity and cultural resonance is comforting and owning a sticker provides a souvenir or keepsake, a memento. People have often demanded the sticker merely because they have seen it everywhere and possessing a sticker provides a sense of belonging. The Giant sticker seems mostly to be embraced by those who are (or at least want to seem to be) rebellious. Even though these people may not know the meaning of the sticker, they enjoy its slightly disruptive underground quality and wish to contribute to the furthering of its humorous and absurd presence which seems to somehow be antiestablishment/societal convention. Giant stickers are both embraced and rejected, the reason behind which, upon examination reflects the psyche of the viewer. Whether the reaction be positive or negative, the stickers existence is worthy as long as it causes people to consider the details and meanings of their surroundings. In the name of fun and observation.


Shepard Fairey, 1990

Having conceptualized the movement, it was time to move on to designing the kiosk. After watching a powerpoint lecture in class about various types of kiosks and stands, we talked about several buildings that were good starting points of inspiration. The first was Mies Van Der Rohe's Barcelona Pavillion:

The Pavillion was interesting because of Van Der Rohe's study of control. The beautiful natural stone walls were sturdy, solid and heavy looking and existed, as walls usually do, to block a person's eye from glancing into another next section of the building. This was countered by the abundance of glass walls and windows which allowed the viewer to see through into other rooms. I thought the play on transparency and control meshed well with the display case that I designed out of acrylic plastic. Just like the people, with their approved stamps, might call for transparency in government, and freedom of speech, the see-through walls functioned as windows, playing on control and transparency.

I have always admired Mies Van Der Rohe's conceptual clarity and simplicity.

Continued...

Weekly Critique of a Student Blog

Amy Bennett's Design Diary

Amy Bennett's Design Diary

Amys final model looks very sturdy and professional. All of the lines look clean and precise! This must have taken a lot of time! I like that she decided to add some recipe ideas to the side of the display system. It adds something a little extra.

Final Display System

Im very happy with my final project. I think the execution was successful. Originally I had problems trying to glue the plexiglass together but I solved this problem by buying hinges and super glue. The hinges hid the glue marks. The clear plastic makes the branding of the box even more appealing than it was originally. I think if this was sitting on the shelf in an office supply store it would look attractive and appeal to the customer. If I had to change one thing however, I wish that I would have found a way to attach a bottom piece.

Foudations 0.4 Project Update

This week I've been exploring methods of cutting acrylic plastic. I tried to cut it on my own using a drill, but the result was abominable. The drill would melt the plastic halfway through a cut, the edges came out rough and the plastic scraped easily. I decided the best way to get good quality cuts was to have the hardware store cut it for me. I also decided to purchase metal hinges to connect the sides of the box. This way, the assembly glue is completely masked and the box looks professional and clean.

Check out this link:

How to Cut Acrylic Plastic

Pier Blog Review

Amy Bennett's Design Diary

Amy's project is coming along nicely. It looks as though she has continued to study the essence of an avocado throughout her entire project. I appreciate the continuous exploration and her desire to push the original concept. The pictures of her model show that she is working hard and being meticulous. It's really paying off because her model looks very clean and professional!

Foundations 4.0 Process Work

Assignment
The next assignment challenges you to design a free-standing or counter-top display system that holds a multiple quantity of your product or product + container and reinforces the ideas you developed in the first three tasks. Be sure to consider how the display unit is approached and experienced from all angles. The display unit should display the visual identity, be accessible and convenient, present your products to appeal to your target audience, and clearly communicate information critical to your design + object.

Process
Identifying my goals for the project
I've been trying to think about what type of display unit makes sense for a stamp. Stamps are sold at supply stores, such as Staples, where all the items for sale are typically housed on long metal shelves. Therefore, the display system I create should make my stamps stand out from the competition, be easy for employees to re-stock, and  and be attractive to the target audience. Simultaneously, the display should further develop the concepts I've been exploring; repetition and the mechanisms that make the stamp unique (the push factor).

I thought I could begin the design process by considering razor displays at CVS

Foundations 0.3

Assignment
Packaging is the combination of solving multiple small-scale design problems: what is the "shell" that consumers will view initially? How does the product sit within this container? how is the product to be perceived through the design of the package? The container is the ultimate vehicle to create a meaningful impression. For this assignment, please design a package that supports and further develops the ideas from the first and second tasks.

Process
For this project, I took interest in the mechanics of my stamp. I studied the gears that held the stamp in place, and allowed it to flip and make an imprint. To mimic the push down motion of the stamp, I wanted to make some type of hole in the box, so that when you push down into the hole,  the stamp ejects. I cut out a large portion of the top so that the branding on the top of the stamp was visible. I also cut out space on the side for ergonomic reasons.

The repititive pattern on the surface was inspired by something I did in my sketch book while I was bored one day. The repetition reminds me of a secretary sitting at her desk, continuously stamping away at forms. The overlapping element and the bright red ink are mesmerizing.

Critique
Im very happy with my final product. I think my package has a lot of shelf appeal. In addition, I think it represents important elements of the stamp and doesn't overcomplicate the assignment.

A First Encounter with Adobe Illustrator

I created this portrait of myself for my New Media: Digital Art class. The exercise was assigned to help the class understand basic tools in Adobe Illustrator. At the same time were were asked to consider composition and style. 

  

Process

Learning New Skills

I used the pen tool for my facial features, for shadows and for contours. I used the circle and box tools for my eyebrow ring and for the background. I also used the brush tool (with a chalk stroke) to add freedom and texture to my hair. 

Style

My facial expression posses a clamness which I mimicked with blue background. I used a true black for the shadows around my face because I liked the contrast with my skin. I tried not to overload on values. Instead, I tried to choose key contours and details that would represent my face structure and expression without  sacrificng depth or visual interest. This 'simple' approach, along with the calm blue background go well with the contentment and calmness of my facial expression.

Critique

I think the final product is alluring. I recieved good reviews from my classmates who found the image to be a good representation of myself. However, one thing I would change is the hair. I think it looks a little uneven on the right side. That is probably because, in the image I was drawing from, my hair is strangely parted.

Pier Blog Review 1

Review of Amy Bennett's Design Diary
I enjoyed looking over Amy's Blog. It's overall look is professional and clean. The main element of her blog, they grey background allows the blue text and project photographs to pop. Simple details such as picture labels, large breaks between paragraphs, and subtitles add clarity to her posts. I appreciate that she takes a uniform approach in the design of each blog entry. Her concise writing style allows the images to speak for themselves but helps the viewer to understand her thought process.

Details like these have inspired me to and improve my own blog.

Amy Bennett's Design Blog

Goals for my own blog:
I would like my blog writing style to be personal but concise
I would like to try using subtitles and captions

Foundations 0.2

Assignment
How an object is represented is critical to how it is packaged, promoted and distributed. The intent of this exercise is to develop the optimal graphic strategy for representing your object in a way that highlights its unique qualities, its assets and it's potential uses.

Submit one 11x17 'print'.

The topic is continued from project one: 'stamp'

Process
Brainstorming
Like the last project, I started by getting more specific within the term 'stamp'. I looked at different types of stamps and decided to focus on a stamp of approval as opposed to a stamp that said confidential or received because I like how the term stamp of approval is used inside and outside the genre of 'printed media' and allows for greater diversity in conceptual exploration.

Representation
The concepts of voice and censorship become important when you think about approval. Particularly in relation to public printed media. I started to think about how a newspaper editor might use a stamp of approval while they are editing copy. I also thought about ways to represent censorship, voice and approval. A few ideas that came to me included: scribbling out words, white-ing out type, cutting out facts, pasting in new information, erasing, and highlighting.

I also wanted to represent a stamp of approval as a powerful act of consent. The motion of pounding a stamp onto an object and leaving behind a big red 'approved', is a strong message of validation. On top of the articles, I pasted a giant image of a stamp, and the word 'approved'. This added a weight to the composition that mimicked the weight of a stamp hitting the paper.

Alternate Version

Critique
To make my project seem like a newspaper advertisement, I tried to flatten the final product by photocopying it. I did this on a black and white photocopier because most advertisements in a newspaper are in black and white. In the end, however, I think the color version is more successful because the word approved stands out more. Also the highlighting is lost in the black and white version.

Foundations 0.1

Assignment

Identify your object of choice from the assigned category. Make a 4x6 postcard on heavier paper stock expressing your reflection/analysis of the object. Release your creativity! Let the postcard 'breathe' the essence/style of the selection. Use this assignment to highlight the image that best captures the essence of the object. In the 4x6 space, what view of perspective will give a recipient of this postcard the best first impression of your object?

I was assigned the category 'printed media'. From this category, the object I chose to study was a 'stamp'. Narrowing down my focus, I wanted my postcard to convey the process of stamping

Process

Choosing an Object

After defining the terms 'printed media' on its multiple forms, I began to brainstorm the basic elements of printed media: printing presses, stamps, ink, and paper. I decided the term would be best represented by mimicking the process of a printing press or a stamp.

Design

To do this, I cut my postcard into four pieces. I then doodled with ink on one piece and pressed it into the remaining three. I chose to use black ink on white paper so that the emphasis remained on the fading effects of stamping rather than the distraction of a color. Also, when I think of a printing press or a stamp, I think of the black ink and plain paper of a newspaper.

Critique

I think the final product communicates the message with clarity and is aesthetically captivating at the same time. I believe that my postcard was successful in capturing the essence of printed media, stamping, and print making.

Inspiration 9/13

Mesmerizing

I love staring at these exploding/imploding forms. 

I keep wondering where they came from, what caused them, what's inside of them? They are in opposition but fit together well; One is dusty and dry while the other seems damp. Each photograph captures both a heaviness and a lightness.

Photos by Saga Sig at Never Ending Story