DESIGN: Assignment 4
Response to the following reading:
1. Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud: Chapters 4 (Time) and 5 (Line)
2. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative by H. Porter Abbott: Chapter 1
The readings stress importance of time and emotion in how they relate to narrative. Specifically in a 2-dimensional medium, such as graphic design, these elements are crucial to the success of the work. Most of my design work has been in interactive and print design, and even though this type of content doesn’t have such obvious narrative, it still uses a similar structure. I attempt to tell stories in my work, and the images, colors, and composition helps to do this. In Chapter 4 of Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, he talks about how the eye scans over a single static image, dividing each segment into its own period of time. This intuitive behavior, works to the designers advantage, has they can construct their designs with this in mind. This is usually done by placing important elements from left to right, top to bottom.
In addition to the placement of elements to create sequence in design, emotions can be generated. This can be done by juxtaposing elements. This conflict of images, colors, etc. creates tension within a design that helps to convey a specific emotion. Another example given in the reading is the way that icons effect emotions of the viewer. Icons are contextualized by social context and our experiences, enabling the designer to express a deeper message with the use of one symbol.
DESIGN: Assignment 3
The following three images are the initial paper prototype I developed for the documentation site that I will be developing. This prototype was tested to see if its role, as an easily navigated interface, was true.
Here is a storyboard of how I envisioned my typical user to use my prototype.
A classmate of mine, tested out this prototype, and “clicked” on the buttons that I had intended for the user to click on. Success! We did however discuss how the bottom navigation lacked a home button, so that will be added for the next version. In addition, there also needs to be a way for the user to return to a project summary if so inclined.
WEB: Assignment 4
CODE: Assignment 4
So tonight was my first attempt as using Processing to draw and animate objects.
My first program just draws a simple picture. The objects are are proportionate to however large the canvas size is set to. You can check it out here!
My second program animates a ball which is constantly changing color at random. The ball bounces back and forth. There is another ball, whose position is based on the mouse location. You can check it out here!
DESIGN – Assignment 2
In response to “Interaction Relabelling and Extreme Characters: Methods for Exploring Aesthetic Interactions”:
I found this particular article really interesting. In brings in mind the importance of thinking outside of the box when generating potential design solutions. I know for me, I find it so much easier to return to a solution that I am both familiar and comfortable with, but this limits any chance of innovation. The concept of interaction relabeling, generating a new physical understanding of how an audience can interact with an item opens up so many possibilities. It allows us to use things in ways in which they were never meant to be, thus discovering counter-intuitive solutions which can be developed into useful applications.
In response to “What do prototypes prototype?”:
The most important idea that I really related to in this reading, was the emphasis on integration in order for a prototype to develop into a successful product. I think that each specific type of prototype (look and feel, role, and implementation) needs to be fully explored for any given concept before the integration is able to happen. When working with a team of designers, each with specific specialties, a collaborative environment can help this process immensely. I think it is so important to share your ideas with a team. Everyone sees things differently, and has their own perspective on design solutions. Their work will inform your work, and help you create things you never would have thought of.
DESIGN: Assignment 2
For the beginning steps of creating an “identity” for ourselves, I did 100 rough sketches of possible logos. Out of these 100 sketches, my classmates helped me narrow it down to 3.
Dance and Design
This sketch uses the union of a lower case “d” and an upper case “D” to emphasize both of my passions. The design is simple, and with the use of a clever tag line, can convey my interests and my work.
Happy Feet
This particular sketch captures more of my personality than my specific interests. It is silly and unique, and in a very peculiar way, memorable. A logo like this could lead to some very creative branding elements that carry through many different mediums.
Abstract Mover
This sketch captures the essence of my work. There are many parts, yet they all fit fluidly together creating a lot of movement. This figure almost has a sense of fearlessness to it, which is how I approach many things in my life.
Site Sketches
Above are four different layout ideas that I have for my Documentation site. Each has a different approach to the navigational elements and where the content will be displayed.
WEB: Assignment 3
Click here to see my oh so wild html assignment page!
This particular page uses embedding internal and external images into the site, ordered and unordered lists, and tables.
You will also see Animated GIFs galore….I promise.
CODE – Assignment 2
Fractal Tree
The aesthetic of this particular example is absolutely beautiful. I love how visually complex the image of the tree is, while the functionality remains so unbelievably simple (moving the mouse right and left).
Wormhole
The movement involved in this example is great. The continuous looping of everything getting “sucked down” into the center is hypnotizing. It’s almost as if I could just stare at it forever, but if I stare at it for too long I’ll get really dizzy!
Chain
The thing I like most about this particular example is the way in which the physics of the balls and chain react to the users interaction with the mouse. Both direction and speed of the mouse effect the way in which balls relate to the space and each other.
WEB – Assignment 2
