Assignment 2: Pictogram

I never really paid much attention to road signs until I took this class. Who would've thought that the signs we come across everyday, i.e. stop, go, etc. were the result of a very specific art form and design process? I guess I never really thought about how these signs came to life until I took NM2208. Awesome, epiphany!

Anyway, I instantly knew what I was gonna do the moment the assignment was announced. My biggest pet peeve are people talking in the library like they were at a Starbucks or something. While I realize that we are not robots and are made of feelings and emotions, I'm pretty sure you can talk about how terrible your day is going because your boyfriend forgot your anniversary in a million places OTHER THAN THE LIBRARY.

Hence, I proceeded to create my abstractions and here's what I came up with:



My classmates reminded me that the red line should be tilting towards the opposite direction (see how much I pay attention to these things?) and Ms Jing suggested that I get rid of the black outline around the red circle (again, evidently due to my lack of attention). They also commented on how the 3 circles for the last abstraction have the potential to be visually attractive, if I did some cleaning up. The class also suggested that I draw lines to indicate talking, since it runs the risk of conveying "No Socializing" instead.

So after some cleaning up, here's the final product:



I tried adding horizontal lines to the circles' mouths to indicate speech, but it just ended up looking like they're vomiting sticks instead. So I decided to use the curved lines to signify volume instead. I also decided to go with the third level of abstraction, as it most clearly indicates that talking should not be allowed inside the library or any other similar study area (Some friends said the last one may be too authoritarian, as it may convey "No Talking" instead of "No Talking Inside the Library."

So to all of you library critters, please observe proper library etiquette, lest you face the wrath of my sign. BWAHAHAHAHA!

P.S: Here's this week's inspiration. Enjoy!
Play Pacman! http://www.elpais.com/juegos/swf/pacman.swf

Assignment 1: UPDATE

So I've decided. Journalism it is.

Since it is my life's goal, I figured it represents me the best. I presented my two prototypes to the class recently, and you guys will get to see it as well, so check it out:

1. Prototype 1: Cartoon


Here's the first prototype, which I used sort of a cartoon-y feel. I decided to keep my design minimalist, with red as the only accent color. I figured that having only one accent color would make it easier to tie all the elements together and concentrate attention on the detail. I wasn't really sure how it would turn out and I just colored random parts, but I think it turned out pretty well. The red makes the image more playful and I especially like the way the lamp turned out. It reminds me of candy canes or Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat:



2. Prototype 2: Photorealism/Black and White


I think this one connotes more of a grown-up, serious feel. I do like how the sketched line art mixes well with the images and kind of gives straddles between reality and fantasy. For this prototype, I decided to stick to black and white to evoke that smoothness about the image. I like the silhouettes of the elements as well; it really brings the image back to the basics and gives more attention to form rather than decoration. I think I'm attracted to silhouettes as they are very clean when used in design.

FINAL ARTWORK:


So here's the final artwork, which is a combination of sorts between the two. I went the first prototype in terms of the elements within the image, although I included some of the color schemes and elements from the second prototype. I switched the background to black to make the image stand out from the paper more and also to streamline the sketched look a little bit. I ultimately decided to go with this one, because it appears to struggle between playfulness and seriousness, cartoon-y and smoothness, youth and poise - much like what I feel my current place is.

By the way, this TV show trailer served as an inspiration of sorts for this assignment. Enjoy!
Chuck opening credits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhgtQlBndeo

Assignment 1: Who Am I?

As the first official assignment for this class, this was probably the one that I spent the most time on. From developing concepts, creating thumbnails and narrowing them down to a final design, it's possibly the most exhausting assignment of all. Nonetheless, it is quite fun and interesting to examine oneself and determine what ideas and concepts best represent each of us. So here's my take on it:



1. Journalism (on the left)
I was about 5 years old when I first decided that I wanted to become a journalist and it hasn't changed since. Hence, this was definitely an obvious choice. I picked elements that represent what the world of journalism is all about: fast-paced, on the edge, always moving, and defined by endless deadlines. This idea gave birth to a notepad (VERY IMPORTANT!), a lamp (an essential, especially when you're working late into the night, as I am currently doing), a microphone (for budding Christiane Amanpours like me), a clock (your reminder that time is of the essence) and a video camera (a useful eyewitness tool). I basically wanted to give an all around picture of what journalism is all about.

2. Manicures and Pedicures (on the right)
I am a girl (yes, unbelievable, but true). And part of being a girl is getting to pamper myself with the simplest, albeit frivolous, things and manicures and pedicures top the list. I eventually didn't go with the idea, however, because it's not a very interesting visual design-wise (maybe because I can't draw for nuts) and as much as I want to proclaim that I'm a girl, I wouldn't want to be characterized solely by mani-pedis.



3. City Living (on the left)
I came across this beautiful quote from a song called Begin by Ben Lee and it said, "Think about the city, it's living proof people need to be together." It struck me especially, because as an international student living on my own in a foreign country, I've had my fair share of times when I felt alone and needed someone to lean on. That said, I do appreciate the simultaneous excitement that the city brings about, which I wanted to convey in my design. I chose to go with building facades and while they may or may not be accidental, I do like how the crooked and contrasting elements somehow lined up together. On the one hand, there is the big sleek building towering over all the others; on the other hand, there's the rickety old building that looks like it's about to fall apart; add the sight of a bursting fire hydrant and you've got yourself the perfect city. This was actually inspired by one of the trips I made to various big city, most notably Chicago. Here are some photographs from that trip that may very well have been the inspiration for this theme:



4. The Beach
As a Pisces, it would be crazy for me not to love the beach. There's just something about the surf, sand, and sun that spells utter paradise for me. You know how they play the Desert Island game and ask you what you'll bring if you were ever stuck on a desert island forever? Personally, I'd bring my bikini, sunblock, and my iPod and live happily ever after.

So what's it gonna be??? I have no idea. Maybe I'll sleep on it and let you guys know soon. Goodnight!

Class Exercise 1

This was the very first artwork that I made for the class, and since forever, really. Like I mentioned before, I am not much of an art person (probably because I was never really very good at it), so there was never really any reason for me to dabble in it...until now.

Anyway, I came up with the idea of a helmet because I believe that that one thing my generation has that allows us to be more creative is our skill in multitasking. For example, as I am writing this, I am also currently reading my email, scanning through my favorite fashion gossip website, and brushing up on the latest news around the world care of the Washington Post. Oh, and also sitting in one of my lectures (not telling which one! *winks*).

So as you can see, the helmet has many features, all of which I believe are essential to my own personal survival as a budding creative person. Some of its features include a chopstick holder, which can feed me sushi, dim sum, and a variety of other things; a handphone connector, so I can stay in touch 24/7; and a built in headphones, preferably connected to my iPod filled with my current obsession: old-school '90s songs.

The helmet has all sorts of various other features, but ultimately point towards a fast-paced, multi-faceted future. And to be able to survive in such a future, one must learn to think outside the box and learn to be creative and flexible. Hmm, speaking of which...I wonder if I can turn this into the next cool gadget? Ahh, imagine the possibilities. I'll call you when I make my first million. But for now, I bid you goodnight.

P.S. You can also customize your helmet to look like this:

Long Overdue

It's more than halfway through the semester so I figure it's time to fill this blog with something. Nothing like procastination to get in the way of academic responsibility!

So title explanation - the blog is called The Design Dummy because that's what I am. I've always liked art and aesthetics, but haven't dabbled much into it myself and this is actually the first time I've really immersed myself into creating art.

Random memory: I remember being really jealous of my dad, who could take a table napkin and spend 5 minutes doodling on it and come up with an elaborate sketch of war scene in action. I watched him do it with such ease and continuity that my 5-year-old brain found it too hard to fathom.

So maybe after spending a semester in this class, I could do that too. And then I'll show him, hah!

Enjoy!