Let there be lamp!

These are a few pictures taken of one of my mock lamp shades that I will be revising for the finial project.

Esbjörn Svensson Trio - Goldhearted Miner

It's official. Thanksgiving is over, we've survived the annual mini-apocalypse that is Black Friday, and in the process of making casual conversation and grinning through forced social interactions probably gained 3 pounds, because everyone knows that a conversation with your mother's second cousin is much less awkward with a mouth full of crackers and not-quite-bite-sized cubed cheese.

With the holiday season in full swing we are all soon to be subject

to the bitterness of the winter season

sales clerks and brawling in the isles

of Target over the last box of matte red christmas tree bulbs.

In spite of all the dull and dreary

the carbon stained slush thats soon to accumulate in the streets

staining the entryway rug,

the bitterness of the cold, likely radiating from the souls of the sales clerks and icy exhalation of those corporate bastards breathing down your neck

whispering 'buy more,'

gusting at 40 miles an hour and penetrating your flimsy fleece jacket,

there is light other than that of the tacky christmas bulbs,

Sears 25% off,

and there is a warmth that will penetrate your mind, body and soul,

even if frozen solid.

Finally Finished

E-X-P-A-N-D as captured by The University of Kansas. This photo can also be seen on The University of Kansas Facebook page under the Campus Word Art Album.

Great Job Team!

Almost Done!

Yesterday, all the groups set up their words around campus. Our word (Expand) was placed in front of strong hall. The 'E' 'X' on the south side of the sidewalk, the 'P' 'A' elevated on the bench that holds the Jayhawk statue and the 'N' 'D' on the north side of the Strong Hall sidewalk. Our placement, and timing was great. Our word was bold and its horizontal orientation paralleled the long windows that stretch across the front of Strong Hall. Also, the sun setting highlighted the white of our words making them stand out even more.

Although the end result seemed flawless, we had out fare share of crisis earlier that day. our photos were actually taken at the Oread Hotel and not in front Strong Hall. After spending all day sunday running back and forth to the Oread dragging our letters onto the elevators and on and off of balconies and rooftops Yvonne and I thought we had all the shots we needed, which was great because my efforts to hold down three foot tall letters in the 40 mph (I assume) gusts on top a roof were failing miserably. Happy with our results we promised to get out of the way of all the KU elite checking in and out of the Hotel. Little did we know some higher power was going to spite us the next day when Yvonne tried to upload the images. MEMORY CARD CORRUPT. WHAT!?...... crisis ensued.

Thankfully we rounded up Ashley to load the letters onto one of the busses and hauled it all back to the Oread. After bothering the deskies to reopen the rooms we needed ( aside from one because it was being occupied by what we speculated to be a couple here on a romantic KU escape due to the scattered rose petals we walked over the day before in our attempt to get out on the balcony). With some of the pictures retaken we rushed back to the design building to retouch and weight down out letters and set them up before the tour. DONE.

Now onto the book...

"What I Learned In School Today" seen above.

From the reading I learned valuable tips on how to focus, utilize close up shots, and how to find "nirvana" in a work whether it be by symmetry or asymmetry.

"X" Marks The Spot

In the process of constructing the prototype for the soon -to- be- six -foot- tall final letter, I managed to make a mess of the limited space I do have. On the plus side, it was only cardboard and I have put together a fairly solid "X."

Here The Tame Go By

Last class I got some great advice on how to work with illustrator and create some of the effects I wanted for my word (obtain), and I'm hoping Adobe Illustrator skills will progress throughout the rest of the semester.

In other news, I recently stumbled upon Omar Rodriguez Lopezs' solo albums and compilations through other praised guitarists like John Fruciante, former guitarist from RHCP and solo artist. The song "Here The Tame Go By," is from his first solo album A Manuel Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume One. Just a little tid bit for fun. (please disregard the video, it has no relation to the song or the artist)

enjoy!

Define

Google Images for Obtain:

Definition of Obtain:

1.) To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way. [from 15th c.]; To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached. [15th-19th c.]; To prevail, be victorious; to succeed. [15th-19th

2.Gain possession of; acquire. Organize -- Arrange in functioning order through systematic planning. Oversee -- Supervise a function or operation as distinct from supervising people.

Beck - Nicotine & Gravy

Project #4: Typography

The video for Nicotine and Gravy by Beck is done using moving type and psychedelic illustration. This may be a good example of how to use typography to convey a message. ( Not that Nicotine and Gravy has any meaning beyond absurdity, but the vibrant color and flash animation is definitely something that grabs your attention and is fun to watch)

"Circles" by Soul Coughing

Things About Pie:

*Video*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icrjzF3zl5A&feature=player_embedded#!

* Tasty Facts*

6 million Number of American men ages 35-54 who have eaten the last slice of pie and denied it

*Pie Personalities*
If you love… You are likely to describe yourself as…
Apple Pie Independent, realistic and compassionate
Pecan Pie Thoughtful and analytical
Chocolate Pie Loving
Pumpkin Pie Funny and independent

*Pi*

3.1415...

*Did you know?*

Everything you can do with a ruler and a compass, you can do with a compass alone.

One can cut pie into 8 pieces in only 3 movements.

My word is Pie.

What Break?

Fall Break isn't much of a break when you have so much work to do.

Last class was productive, somewhat. I'm learning how to work with illustrator a little better, but I could still use some practice tutorials or something to help me work with my object a little better. If anyone does read this i would like some feed back:

what 3 adjectives come to mind when you think of a compass?

from one of those 3 words what color would you best associate with it?

Thank you all!

Color

After taking the Color career indicator test these were my results for a college degree profession (as listed below). Right now I am not entirely sure what it is that i enjoy, and would enjoy doing as a career. Despite this being a quiz simply based off of colors I find appealing, I found some of the, free, top 26-50 careers that I would be interested in such as
a Public Relations Manager, or a Marketing or Advertising Manager.

26	Instructional Education Coordinator	133,900	165,000	31,100	23	More Info
27	Education Administrator (postsecondary)	124,600	127,400	2,800	2	More Info
28	Computer Equipment or Operations Specialist	110,000	89,500	-20,500	-19	More Info
29	Public Relations Manager	56,700	64,100	7,400	13	More Info
30	Marketing or Advertising Manager	44,600	43,900	-700	-2	More Info
31	Physical Therapist	185,500	241,700	56,200	30	More Info
32	Engineer	183,200	195,400	12,200	7	More Info
33	Writer	151,700	174,100	22,400	15	More Info
34	Manager of Personal Services Staff	213,200	245,900	32,700	15	More Info
35	Interior, Commercial, or Floral Designer	71,700	85,600	13,900	19	More Info
36	Actor	56,500	63,700	7,200	13	More Info
37	Management Analyst	746,900	925,200	178,300	24	More Info
38	Compensation Benefits and Job Analysis Specialist	121,900	150,600	28,700	24	More Info

Drowning In Headphones And Cough Syrup.

I wish I played an instrument, then spending my entire day in my dorm room wouldn't have been so counter productive, but I guess pencil and paper are essentially the same in terms of a creative outlet. Especially when your sick and loud noises make your head feel like it's going to implode.

As much as I dislike monotonously drawing the same object over and over again, I will admit that I think it has improved my drawing. Sketching has never been my strong suit, but I've always been determined to improve. Today I dabbled in photoshop a little bit and sketched a few things. My only qualm with this class is that I'm basically computer illiterate when it comes to making digital art. I probably have the technological ability of my grandma who is nearing me in weekly hours spent on Facebook. I guess you have to start somewhere.

The Fruit of The Day's Fruitless Labor. (as seen above) Sketched with a #2 graphite pencil scanned, and used blue photo filter in Adobe Photoshop Cs4.

Music as Art

I appreciate all forms of art, but musician's blow my mind to say the least. Anyone can be conditioned to draw and paint and apply technique to a canvas of piece of paper, but being able to piece together rhythms and beats fascinates me. I believe it is the purest form of creativity. Jazz especially. Unfortunately I don't know how to play an instrument but that does not mean I don't appreciate musicianship and what sounds good. Jazz- sounds- good.

During our first Hallmark Symposium Scott Stowell played a Jazz sampler video he made, the video features a song called Haitian FIght Song by Charles Mingus (a Jazz artist form the 1950's and 60's). Here is a version done by the NY Ska Jazz Ensamble.Neat.

I've Asked Myself The Same Thing.

Q:Why did you choose to major in interior design? (in raspy french women's voice of course)
A: I. do. not. know.

The truth is i really don't know why i chose to major in Design. Yes, I had an idea of the things i enjoy doing and would like to concentrate on but the reality of the situation is that it was just a choice, and not necessarily a life choice but a choice of the moment. That moment was senior year and trying my hardest to assess the possibilities of what I could do or who I could be. I didn't come up with much. I enjoy math and physics and loathe history, but there are few things I truly enjoy. What I narrowed it down to was art. I simply enjoy art, and every aspect of it. I'm also fascinated by the sociology and psychology associated with art and design, mass communications and advertising.
I don't know what it is i would wan to do with a major in design but I'm determined to incorporate the thing i enjoy the most into my everyday life.

"Hang It Up"

Project seems to be going well, and were working well together. The idea of a scented hanger seems to be functional and practical.

First Entry

Seeing as this is a design blog, i will not, delve into the excitement of my everyday life or share my favorite oatmeal raisin cookie recipe, despite the fact its much more fun to talk about baking than myself here are a few tid bits about me:

My favorite media is acrylic, and i prefer canvas but I'm always looking to try new things. My favorite genre(s) of art are mainly anything from Surrealism to the Visionary art of today.

I like Dali.