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.

Instructional Compositions

IKEA generally has very successful instructions that come with their home assembly products. In the composition above, IKEA uses simple, easy to understand illustrations along with humor to show how to  assemble their products in a user-friendly manner. 

I thought that this origami instruction composition was successful because it gives a clear order of how to fold the origami by using numbering and a path graphic leading up to the final product. The color also ties the composition together. 

Exhibit Signage Sketch

Ideas for bentwood seating exhibit signage; see 

http://iargroup2.blogspot.com/2011/10/contribution-signage-monica-browning.html

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