Quilling

I was on stumble upon and I discovered quilling which is "the art of turning paper strips into intricate artworks".  They are so beautiful and reminded me of when we had to use paper to create a place for a leaf in first year studio. If only I had seen these then!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/20curI/www.odditycentral.com/pics/quilling-the-art-of-turning-paper-strips-into-intricate-artworks.html

Music Synching LEDs

Idea to apply to lighting on the inside of my cabinet of curiosity: lights that flash with the music being played inside it!

Inspirational Quote of the Day

‎"When I was 5 years old my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, They asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life." -John Lennon


This quote stuck a chord with me today. It is always important to find happiness in everything you do, and it makes my happy to be in a program where I can explore my creativity every day. Life is short, live!

IOB...we made it!

Today we presented our finalized design to Richard, Naari, board members, and the other workers from the IOB and it was a success! I felt very happy with our final product and I'm hoping this design will be something that will be put into action at the IOB. This project was a life changing experience not only because this was my first "real life" design project but because we got to help some really special people who appreciate our work.

Here's some pictures from our pin up today:

Marina Bay Sands Hotel - Singapore

Okay, I'm probably posting this because I need a vacation and I'm also a dreamer, but I thought this Hotel was amazing. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore has three giant towers with a "sky park" cantilevered atop of them. The sky park features an infinity pool that is the world's largest outdoor pool at its height. The breathtaking view is to die for!

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/14514/marina-bay-sands-hotel-singapore.html

Interesting Lighting

Continuing the theme of our blog assignment, I decided to post some cool images I found of interesting lighting designs.

"Huggable" Lighting

Backlit wallpaper

"Moonstruck" lighting perforated from porcelain

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33389-d1015782-Reviews-Red_Mountain_Grill-Dillon_Colorado.html

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/10/lightemitting_wallpaper_is_coo.php

http://www.getmarried.com/wedding-blog/2009/06/01/weddingceremony-location-and-decorations/

http://homedesigninterior.com/2011/02/10/d°-light-huggable-cool-lighting-inspiration-for/

http://www.squidoo.com/cool-lights

Blog Post 005: Lighting in the IOB

Talking with lighting designer Scott Richardson last friday helped out group come up with lots of lighting ideas for the Industries of the Blind. One main point he made was making it easier on older eyes, eyes with visual impairments, and even young eyes with great vision by decreasing glare. He suggested we do this by decreasing the difference in inside light and outside light while entering the space by creating a transition that allows the eyes to adjust to different light. We discussed the harsh, hospital-like florescent lighting that is currently in the space and he advised us to look at different kinds of florescent lighting that isn't so harsh. Upon Scott seeing our hexagonal graphic, we discussed backlighting with him as a way to highlight the shapes as well as creating interesting shadows to continue patterns on the floor, walls, and ceiling. He saw our triangular overhang idea as a good opportunity to diffuse light using a translucent material. I also believe that spotlighting should be used when we incorporate a timeline into our hexagon graphic in order to draw attention to the information that Richard and Dave LoPresti wanted to be displayed.

Candice Olson

Candice Olson is probably the only designer on HGTV whom I agree with almost all of the time. Her designs truly are "divine" as the name of her show "Divine Design" suggests. It is my aspiration to one day be like her. I am in love with her classic, elegant style.

http://kravet.typepad.com/inspiredtalk/candice-olson/

http://meganleiter.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/designer-spotlight-candice-olson/

http://paintbyjosie.blogspot.com/2011/06/metallic-wallpaper.html

http://blog.ashleycampbell.com/2011/05/04/inside-the-mind-of-candice-olson/

What's Running Through My Head

I thought I would commemorate my 100th blog post with some of the songs that provide a soundtrack, inspiration and life while working on assignments. Here's a few faves:

Melt My Heart to Stone--ADELE
Tears Dry On Their Own--Amy Winehouse
Happy Days Are Here Again--Barbara Streisand & Judy Garland
Because--The Beatles
Magic--Ben Folds Five
Three Little Birds--Bob Marley
Fast Car (feat. Kina Grannis)--Boyce Avenue
The Scientist--Coldplay
Courtship Dating--Crystal Castles
The General--Dispatch
Dreams--Fleetwood Mac
Handlebars--Flobots
Details In The Fabric--Jason Mraz Feat. James Morrison
Cathedrals--Jump Little Children
Time To Pretend--MGMT
Love Today--Mika
Wagon Wheel--Old Crow Medicine Show
Sleepy Head--Passion Pit
Little Secrets--Passion Pit
Two Princes--Spin Doctors

Karim Rashid

http://www.speakersbulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/karim_rashid.jpg

Karim Rashid is one of my favorite designers. I love his playful use of color and materials in all of his designs. His website is just as fun to explore as his designs are to view. 

http://www.karimrashid.com/

Rainbow-Inspired Architecture

Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture designed the Shugamo Shinkin Bank in Shimura, Japan, inspired by a rainbow. I liked the built in lighting effects and the use of bold color against a white backdrop. The skylights on the second floor are encased by glass, continuing down to the first floor. This dramatic use of scale enhances user experience.

The website and images are found here: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2b3cJ1/www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/14318/emmanuelle-moureaux-architecture-design-sugamo-shinkin-bank-shimura-branch.html

Blog Post 004: Principles and Elements of Design

Rhythm: 

Rhythm is clearly present with the repeating geometric shapes we have explored. Rhythm is seen in the "triangle tree" trellis idea and the hexagonal shapes comprised of smaller triangles. We also explored rhythm with repeating square, circle and diamond shapes. Rhythm will be important with the installation of textures in the IOB as a means of way finding and keeping visually cohesive. 

Balance:

Symmetry has been created through patterns we have created, thus contributing to balance. In our display, we balanced larger elements with smaller models. In our space, we will use a similar method when combining large architectural pieces with smaller pieces. 

Emphasis:

We placed emphasis on shape, color, and texture in our presentation, but as a whole I believe our strongest emphasis is on the hexagonal pattern that we plan to incorporate in a large scale. 

Unity:

Unity is achieved through repeating geometric forms throughout the space. We also hope to achieve unity through a warm color scheme. 

Proportion:

Our overhang structure is dramatically scaled to create hierarchy using proportion. Smaller elements such as braille complement larger pieces going into the space. 

Line:

We have used very harsh lines and sharp angles to create a modern, industrial aesthetic. Softer lines are incorporated in wall fixtures and the overall trellis structure. 

Color:

We decided on a warm color scheme mixed with neutrals. We have 3 different color options that combine reds, oranges, browns, yellows, grays, and beiges.

Shape:

Geometric shapes such as hexagons, triangles, and circles have been used so far. We will be incorporating softer shapes such as circles to complement our design

Texture:

Texture has probably been the most important element thus far in designing a facility for the blind. We first used braille inspired textures to use as wall or floor coverings and then expanded to geometric textures. In our models we used textured paper, cardboard, styrofoam, plaster, metal wire, chip board, bamboo skewers, etc. to create and explore texture. Texture in our final project will be to direct users to focal points and highlight important areas. 

Form:

Geometric forms, especially triangles and hexagons have been a focus in this project. We have tried to incorporate softer forms with the use of curves in the trellis structure and other wall elements. 

Space:

Negative space is an important element in creating texture and shadow. Within the negative space in the hexagonal pattern 

Inspired by Fallingwater

When I stumbled upon this "luxury villa" in Thailand, it reminded me a lot of Fallingwater. 

Here's the link to the website:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2QJT0D/www.adelto.co.uk/luxury-villa-amanzi-thailand-by-original-vision-studio/

it's pretty awesome.

Dale Chihuly

I just discovered the sculptural glass works of Dale Chihuly and had to share. These are simply amazing.

http://www.seriousluxury.com/dale-chihuly/

http://twilightfromthecold.blogspot.com/2009/03/glass-art-from-dale-chihuly.html

This piece is from the ceiling of the Bellagio in Las Vegas:

http://www.royallyflushed.com/general/bellagio-glass-artist-dale-chihulys-work-on-exhibit-in-phoenix/

http://arrynvogan.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/artist-of-inspiration-dale-chihuly/

Julian Beever

Outside the studio today, I saw a chalk drawing of a bird which made me think of the artist Julian Beever. Beever is an artist who does some amazing 3D chalk drawings. Imagine walking down the street and seeing one of these masterpieces...

http://www.julianbeever.net/pave.htm

books books books

I love books, so when I found all of these cool home library spaces I had to share them. I've added pictures of my favorites from this website: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8uINyt/www.shelterness.com/20-cool-home-library-design-ideas/

AAAH! Public Speaking?!

Preparing for my speech on the D.C. museums, I was a bit nervous since I don't really like public speaking.  However I think I did a good job last Wednesday considering my nerves. I believe I had an effective organization and delivered well, perhaps not as well as I practiced the night before, but still good enough that I got my point across in a way that flowed and was easy to understand. I think the presentation by the speaking center was very helpful, because I have never really delivered a formal speech before and their 5-step process gave me a means to put my thoughts together without being overwhelmed. I didn't visit the speaking center before my speech, but practicing in front of my roommates helped me a lot in preparing. I tried not to over think my speech, so I didn't want extra thoughts floating in my mind once I satisfactorily practiced my speech a few times. I think that next time I give a formal presentation, I will try to go through transitions more in order to connect my ideas in a more fluid way.

Applying Braille to a Space

http://www.retrotogo.com/2007/03/inhabit_spaceag.html

http://www.davideradaelli.com/design/braille.htm

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/217204597/Safety_Sheet_Tile_for_the_disabled.html

http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2007/08/design-is-blind-beautiful-objects-with.html

Post-It Ideas

Our group has decided to write down design ideas for the IOB on post-its to brainstorm. These are a few of my starting ideas and inspirations, but it's just the beginning!