Podium Renderings: Computer Lab

SketchUp Rendering: Computer Lab

 bird's eye view in perspective

 isometric- parallel projection

 isometric- perspective

 section cut

 hidden line perspective

top orthographic view

AutoCAD, Photoshop, & Illustrator: What I Would Like to Know

AutoCAD:

-Better ways to rotate entire plans (without AutoCAD freezing)
-How to array more effectively
-Relearn layer properties and what exactly they do (freeze vs. on/off etc.)
-How to open Design Center on my version for Mac/ relearn how to use Design Center
-How to duplicate layouts

Photoshop:

-How to use layers more effectively
-How to make more textures
-Relearn how to save a texture as a pattern
-What history brush tool is
-Relearn how to make different shapes (stars, arrows, etc.)
-Relearn burn & dodge

Illustrator:

-Mesh tool
-Symbol Sprayer tool
-Slice tool
-Blob Brush tool
-More effective ways to apply color

Photoshop Texture Tutorials

 

Design Autobiography 2

The evolution of the wireless mouse has started long since humans started pointing at things. We have always needed to show what we are talking about in a physical way, and this began with the use of hands. Pointing rods were then used as instructional tools to point at things on blackboards and for other presentations. The 1952 brought about the original prototype for a mouse, or "trackball" as it was called then. It was developed for a secret military project and was not patented. As computers became more widespread in the 1960s and 1970s, later models were produced such as the "Smaky Mouse". Apple's first PCs used a boxier version in the 1980s called the Lisa Mouse. Later models of computers in the 90's and 2000's brought about sleeker and more precise mice, still with cords. In the last couple decades, advances in nano receiving technology made it possible to make the mouse wireless, like the one I use that I believe is a product of good design. One could even say that these evolution in pointing technology has brought us back to the finger point, because of touch screens on phones, tablets, and computers.


http://www.thechangeblog.com/watch-where-you-point-that-finger/
http://sloan.stanford.edu/mousesite/Archive/patent/Mouse.html
http://www.superstock.co.uk/stock-photos-images/255-4192A
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SmakyMouseAG.jpeg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_Macintosh_Plus_mouse.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouse_(computing)

Design Autobiography 1

My wireless mouse is an example of good design because of its style, ergonomic form, and dual functions. It serves its function well as simply a mouse, using a nano receiver that is small enough to store in a computer's usb port, versus having a cord that can get in the way. The front panel of the mouse serves as a hatch that can store the nano receiver as well as the battery.  The contours of the mouse fit your hand perfectly, using a velvety soft material on the sides. This particular mouse comes in a variety of patterns to fit each individual's personality. I feel as though this object represents my design style because it is beautiful in style, sleek in form, symmetrical and comfortable. It is everything a well designed object should be. 

Culturally this object represents an advance in wireless technology that allows our society to be more productive and able to bring our work wherever we go. It symbolizes the pursuit in technology to continually become smaller and more convenient.

Sub-culturally, this object could represent injustice for the factory workers in China that had to assemble this product for a less than fair price.

Cabinet of Curiosities

For our final project for the semester, we were asked to design a "cabinet of curiosities" that would house 3 objects that the first years created...

Upon meeting with first years Tarek Baassiri, David Kendall, and Torrey Orlopp, I got a clear understanding of what function my cabinet needed to meet. Tarek had designed a CD holder, David designed an iPod, and Torrey designed a holder for a Led Zeppelin concert ticket; so it was clear to me that the cabinet should revolve around music, both functionally and aesthetically.  I knew I wanted my cabinet to have a speaker so it would function as a way to both play and store music, and David proposed an amazing lighting idea to include music-synching LED lights that would pulsate with whatever music is being played.  With these two ideas in mind, I explored different forms to house the objects.

When I began thinking about music-related forms, I came up with several ideas for a cabinet, which included a boombox, amps, a gramophone, and a jukebox. Although each of these cabinet ideas related to the three objects that would be stored inside, I believed that they were too literal and didn’t fit the exact style I was going for.  Going back to the drawing board, I kept the Led Zeppelin ticket holder in mind specifically as to give me a clue for the feel of the cabinet. I decided that a retro, late 1960’s inspired cabinet would fit the objects well and by researching furniture from this decade, I arrived at my final design.

I came across the final shape of my cabinet through a spur of the moment sketch in class after looking at retro furniture online. I wanted something that was funky and rock-inspired, and the tapered pyramid-like design of the cabinet entered my mind as an edgy, retro design. The cabinet includes a speaker at the base, held on angular, tapered legs, which would play music from the CD rack on the first shelf and from the iPod dock on the middle shelf.  Colored LEDs would be installed under the top panel of the cabinet and on top of the speaker. Glass shelves would allow the light to pass through the entire cabinet, creating its own light show whenever music is being played. The side panels and front cabinet doors would also be glass in order to showcase the objects inside. The bottom shelf holding the concert ticket would be the only section of the cabinet with doors, in order to preserve the condition of the ticket as well as signifying a place of display and importance. The door pulls on the cabinet were taken from a symbol on a Led Zeppelin album, which draw attention to an important object as well as add a fluid element to an otherwise linear cabinet. On the second shelf is an iPod dock built into the shelf which houses David’s iPod. This was placed on an open shelf at a height that would be easiest to access, because this would most likely be the most used object in this cabinet. On the top shelf is Tarek’s CD display, which is fixed onto a lazy susan spinning mechanism in the shelf that would allow the user ease of selecting a disc from any side of the polygonal rack.

I decided to use a dark gray-stained walnut in the cabinet to contribute to the dark, edgy feel of the design. Wood will only be used on the top and back panels of the cabinet and around the speaker in order to hide the electrical components and visually anchor the cabinet. I also chose walnut because of its pronounced grain, which adds a warm, less industrial feel to the cabinet. The door pulls would be molded from recycled aluminum and the glass panels would be held together using aluminum panel fasteners, which is both sustainable and has a modern appearance which complements the retro feel of the cabinet.

I would expect this cabinet to be used in a lounge, bar, or living room setting as a beautiful cabinet by day and party DJ by night. It functions as an entertainment center with a built in conversation piece and memorabilia display for a proud Led Zeppelin fan. This cabinet would allow users the freedom to easily access all of their music in one place, while having a unique lighting experience to accompany each song.  It is a rock and roll cabinet of curiosity!