1st yr Crits

Today we, as second years, had the pleasure of attending the first year's final critiques. It was both interesting, and surreal. I remember very clearly being in their position last year, and how nervous I was.

Overall I was pleased with what I saw, and am excited to see what they produce in the future. I was asked to critique one student, and I chose to critique Kristy Stroud. She did an excellent job in her presentation. She spoke clearly, her boards demonstrated her concepts well, and she went above and beyond what was required of her. During her presentation she used her deliverables well. By walking us through the model she constructed we, as the audience, were able to get a better sense of what the space would be like to inhabit.

I would offer a few suggestions moving forward though... Her perspectives, while well drawn and rendered, deserve to be showcased and should be larger when presenting. I would also suggest that she use lighter colors when rendering. It was difficult to see the details, and read them from far away. She has a good technique when rendering, and it would not be difficult to make these minor adjustments, and make her work that much more powerful.

I would also suggest that the documents be mounted to make them pop out, and be the showcase of her presentation. After putting in such long hours into designing, you should pay special attention to how you will be delivering them.

Also, it was noticeable that during the presentation she covered her drawings while displaying her model. She held it directly in front of her drawings while she walked us through the model. It would be a better usage to go back and forth between the model and the drawings so that the audience can get the entire experience.

I would like to commend her on a job well done. It is difficult to stand in front of a large crowd and present and defend your work. She did an excellent job, with minor issues, that can be easily fixed in the next presentation.

Congratulations, Kristy, on the completion of first year, and good luck as a second year! You'll do great!

Jenga 7.0

Top 10 list...

1.Include some type of visual aid or graphics

2.Simple (remember this is not an elaborate drawing)

3.Score materials at connection points whenever possible so materials will be integrated into design and connected using less work. Practice first to see how many passes of knife using normal pressure will cut through a sample of material and use a guide for scoring. Keep in mind the sharpness of the blade.

4. Be rested. It enhances clarity.

5. Don’t mention what you don’t know.

6. Stay in the same tense throughout.

7. Write as your project is progressing. Don’t leave it until the end.

8. Create an order to your presentation- tell a story.

9. Overlap materials at connection points for gluing, taking into account the thickness of the material and frame. Hold elements together until glue takes hold and place at correct angle to set. Use triangle edge to reinforce placement of elements when gluing at 90 degrees.

10. Give purpose to all of the graphics.

Inspiration

Patrick (my studio professor) paired us in groups of two and had each group give a 10 minute speech to the class in the areas we excel in. My partner, Blakeni, and I were paired together to speak about inspiration. Below is our top ten list. (I illustrated the evens, she illustrated the odds)

We also had another 10 that didn't make the list...

-       furniture

-       abstract art

-       mechanics

-       fashion/clothing/jewelry

-       reading

-       blogs

-       google

-       cooking

-       traveling

-       dreams

wi9

 Upon merging with Symbiosis we maintained the idea of incorporating our original concept words that we relied largely upon when we designed our previous structure, Pinnacle. My original word was Epiphany, and has shown a prominent voice within the design. In Jenga 5.0 and 6.0 we arrived at the concept of Pinnacle based on my original word. The Pinnacle was the final experience that illuminates the sky, and provides a moment of clarity.

Moving forward we carried this idea into our new structure “Synergy.” Visually as you move your eye from the ground level to the top you see a progression building up. Each moment as you move upwards builds upon the previous striking a desire within to reach that final moment, that final experience, the Epiphany.

You also see a correlation between the new structure and the way I utilized my kit of parts in Jenga 1.0 and 2.0. As you enter the space my kits of parts (three solids) obstructs your view of the rest of the unit. However, as you proceed, information in unveiled as you turn each corner. Once you reach the stairs and begin your way upward, you ultimately reach your moment of unveiling and epiphany. Each solid creates a similar experience of epiphany. As you transition within the space you alternate between a lack of information and having full disclosure, each solid having a purpose hidden within. This concept is furthered through the finishes. As you enter into the space there are dark finishes on the floors and walls, and as you reach the top level the finishes get lighter; the solids remain in white. This continues to give you the experience of traveling from darkness into light, providing you with a complete experience.

            Similarly, our new structure goes back and forth between having information about the over all space be at your disposal and having your line of sight be obstructed, as the rest of the building remains a mystery. As you continue your journey to the top more information is revealed until you reach your final destination, the observation deck. This further utilizes my original word by broadening your view of the city of Vic. Sitting high upon the hill you are able to survey everything below, no longer having your view obstructed, no longer having lingering questions.

            I find it to be a huge accomplishment to have maintained our original 12 words, and for each to have a strong presence in the final 18 story structure. Our original words were twist, tilt, revolve, reverberate, protrude, edge, leap, clockwork, spark, beehive, ignite, and epiphany. Each can be seen in one form or another. The building twists in a clockwork motion, and revolves, reverberates, and protrudes over the edges. As you leap from floor to floor epiphanies are unveiled. Interest is ignited, and sparks of intrigue keep you making your way to the peak. Items are tilted in various angles, and the overall structure goes from a wide base to a narrow top resembling a beehive. It was with great attention to detail, and strong design voices that we were able to accomplish this goal.

Jenga 7.1

When meeting over the weekend with Symbiosis we discovered a similar design language of angles, and an atrium effect in the center of our structures.

Together we formed Sinergia, Spanish for synergy: “the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects”.  We have decided as a group to relocate just north of Vic, Spain near the reservoir in Vilanova de Sau up in the hillside above overlooking the water.

Together we have axial navigation, and a stacking of our buildings. We have chosen to separate out original structures and combine them in a new way to better relate to both of our original concepts coming out of Jenga 6.0. We are focusing on voids and solids, taking that concept from the surrounding area where there are areas of openness and areas that are more closed off as you reach the mountain regions. As we move into Jenga 7.0 our focus is on materials native to our destination in Spain, as well how our structure interacts with the land, and its surroundings including other structures in the area.  We are considering materials such as crema marfil, tungsten, zinc, quartz, and copper (all native materials) for our structure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilanova_de_Sau

http://www.yankodesign.com/2007/05/09/tetris-furniture-by-nendo/

Voids and Solids

Jenga 6.0