URLAUBORATORY

Pfix

2011-09-19T09:21:00.001-07:00

Wheel Talk

2010-12-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

It's cold outside and my rim is bent. So I took this opportunity to learn more about building a wheel and hopefully be able to protect my new rim from the abuse it does not deserve. Wish I could have had a nice wheel set but one will do for now. Plus, I think I'll be saving for those slotted 14mm profile hubs/axels.

BIKE CHECK UPDATE

2010-12-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Just got the new thrasher fork and wanted to give it some light. Its seems no one really did any useful coverage on it so I guess I will. First off, this fork is Fast! much more responsive than the Fu manchu and will fling your endo 180's like a nollie half cab. Sliders are way faster as well although I haven't gotten the hang of sliding them out super long like I have with the Fu manchu. Some restrictions are the tire size (40c?) and clearance. I think its a good compensation though. I got 42c's and don't plan on going bigger. I also believe in giving props to people who are doing hob bars on bikes without 100% bar clearance. It brings me back to the days when fixed gear freestyle never had 100% bar clearance and geometry was actually aggressive. So if you're looking to put some tilt on your thrasher and have it sit properly I would go for it.

HOP!

2010-10-17T14:53:00.001-07:00

Bike Check::Thrasher

2010-10-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

So I put my road bike to rest this summer and came across a new frame that intrigued me. Its the Volume Thrasher and it's solid. I've had it for a bit now and wanted to do a bike check to show this beautiful bike off. These are the current stats.

Frame - VOLUME. medium Thrasher (RAW)

Fork - VOLUME. FuManchu (RAW) - wanting shorter ATC

Bars - VOLUME. Trickster (RAW)

Wheels - 700c Velocity CHukkers / formula hubs / about destroyed.

Tires - 38c CST selecta's

Drive- Tree 30t/ prfoile 165 cranks /13t/14t cog

Stem - cheap n' heavy 50mm

Post - generic

Saddle - Charge Bucket

Chain - Shadow Half Link

Grips - Shadow

Pedals - Intergral / fabricated blaq straps.

Prooly Hold Fast

2010-09-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

DEGREE PROJECT!

2010-04-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

preview my degree project on lulu.. this design is meant to be cut down so there is extra room on the sides right now.

Critical Mass Media

2010-03-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

This past month has just been fantastic with my degree project. I feel like I'm actually making a difference which I wasn't completely satisfied with last semester in visual advocacy. I'm starting to think this would be a viable path that I would be willing to investigate even further after I graduate. I think the aspect of being connected to the cycling community as my audience along with motorist and focusing on the outside environment specifically makes it seem like what I'm doing isn't work anymore but a calling to take action for what I'm passionate about. Not that I don't enjoy sitting at the computer all day everyday... but seeing how my work really holds up whether its a rude awakening or a thrill of excitement to the mass is the true test. Maybe I overlook this when it comes to previous work I've done because little of it was published to be seen to the mass and start that dialogue outside of the design building.

On another note I wanted to share some links that have taken note of the KC cycling scene along with my projects for my degree.

http://www.kcfreepress.com/news/2010/mar/29/kc-critical-mass/

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2010/03/matt_urlaub_mystery_man_behind_main_street_bike_art.php

I think visual advocacy should be taught to the whole school.

- 46 more days till graduation and 46 things to resolve. This is going to be great.

- If your bikes not locked up you better be riding it because it is beautiful outside!

critical mass poster

2010-03-22T22:51:00.001-07:00

DP: MIDTERM

2010-03-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

At this point in my degree project my experiments have lead me down a path interesting ways of finding ways to create a system to encourage cycling as alternative form of transportation while also providing information in my own personal tone. from the begining I didn't strive for a traditional form of communication and feel this has informed my project and audience on a deeper level. Riding a bike is a personal choice and shouldn't be forced upon someone in an authoritative way. Keeping this in mind I've explored how illustration along with statistics can create a poetic and unique experience to persuade people to follow proper cycling habits without losing the recreational aspect I am personally attached to. Some experiments included miniature cards, valentines cards, event posters, as well as a guerilla billboard. From these I received vital feedback to develop a consistent identity to strengthen my message.

Beyond the design though, communicating directly with cyclist, bike shops and listening to views about my topic played an important role in how my project reached its current state and the conclusion of the overall design system. Making connections help expose and produce a greater awareness about my project. The real success along with seeing more people out riding is the people who see me working or in the process of installing a project come up to me and are inspired by what I'm making. I recently have done an interview with the pitch and met with the Missouri Bike Federations to discuss thoughts on the cycling community. From here I think what I want to do to conclude this campaign is revisit some of the experiments I did previously but fabricate them in a sustainable way to maintain the awareness. Another way of maintaining this project is making it identifiable by giving it a name and brand attributes. These are some examples of what I currently am developing.

Along with this identity I will conclude this project by making some form of publication that houses my system while also sharing ideas, experiences, and advice in efforts to promote a better bicycling commute and community. This is something all my projects can contribute to in some form to express my overall problem and solution and hopefully will become useful to the general public. ~keep calm move along!

SEX_CAR SHOW

2010-03-07T20:00:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity to check out the 2010 car show and boy was I impressed. I'm not a big car fan but I really enjoyed this experience. Maybe because design played a major roll in everything there. From the time lapse of the set up to promotional materials. It was overwhelming to be surrounded by so many pretty objects. Cars that looked like bat mobiles with contours you have to see in person. I did get to sit in my favorite car ( 07 Rx8 ) even though it was a 2010. I was kinda bummed though because it was completely stock, but hey it was still pretty radical. So for the actually task of finding something Practical, Persuasive, and Poetic at the car show I came across plenty of examples. Many of them were a mix of all three so I guess my examples might be more literal to each one.

Practical- I chose this photo because the lighting of an object is always an important component to displaying something, especially items worth big bucks.. gotta make them shine under good lighting. just look at the quality of the photographs too (NO FLASH).

Poetic- This is one of the first things I seen when I was at the car show and definitely felt they were telling a storying and tried to put you in the mood of these historical cars. Kind of cheesy but I got the idea. Maybe if they had real models like the price is right or something along those lines it would have been EPIC!

Persuasive- OK. um. wow. almost every dealer had someone persuading the audience with all their great features. Along with informational motion graphics this guy was trying his hardest so I gotta say it got my attention. Maybe if I was interested in actually buying a vehicle I would have stuck around longer but the truth of it is I have to WORK to make money first so I'm going to get back to work!

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

2010-02-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

During my reading of some professions in the books of graphic artists guides and ethical practices I came across and wide range of information. Details were very intense or a little vague. I felt there was a divide in the general idea of what kind of work it is and the process of executing. The executing part is always going to change but will really help during actual projects. So I read over chart mapping book jacket or cover design and environmental signage. These are some of the most interesting things to me and go along with the kind of designer I am.

Under chart mapping I thought it was interesting that billable expenses can include: reference materials, travel, messengers, miscellaneous art supplies, and digital out by an imaging center. I was most surprised by travel and messengers. I really like being apart of that data collection and necessary research to influence the project and its nice to know that in chart mapping this should be covered.

Reading through publication design I thought it was interesting book jacket designs lead to a high rate of rejection. As a designers and publishers we take the risk and should indicate a rejection fee reflecting the amount of work complete at the time of the project's termination.

Environmental signage is something I like but feel I would need to study under an architect for awhile to get a better idea of rules and regulations of building in the environment. I really liked that two thirds of environmental graphic design firms range from 1-15 people with annual fees ranging from $100,000 to 2 million! WOW. I found it interesting that useful studies for environmental graphic signage include architectural drafting, 2D & 3D design software, packaging, psychology, fine art, literature, and cultural anthropology.

these are just a few things I can across in this brief reading. The info in this book is pretty dense and detail and will take me multiple reads to engrain these important guidelines into everyday practice.

DP: dream job

2010-01-26T23:08:00.000-08:00

For me a dream job means happiness. There are a lot of aspects of life that make me happy and to incorporate them into a single job would be amazing! Although certain things that make me happy may not pay the bills, so I'm going to try and narrow the things that do into something manageable.

I can see myself working at a small design firm with people who share common interest to always keep the work environment creative and enjoyable. It makes me happy to create work for friends and locals that need some help with design but aren't the hippest brand out there. Finding happiness in the studio is a must and should be covered in all forms of inspiring design whether it is a light switch cover or an add in an extinct newspaper. Location is still up in the air but west coast weather would be amazing. The location must also have a strong cycling community that will keep me in shape. I often think about how incredible it would be to open a small design studio with a friend and have our own space to create personal work on the side. I would definitely want to have a letterpress complete with a wood shop and tool set. I would basically make everything I ever wanted to make to survive. I think this sounds like a design job of a starving artist but this to me can pressure and challenge me to take on bigger projects in the future to keep me going.

DP: question

2010-01-26T21:59:00.000-08:00

re-revised - How can a multifaceted design system through out kansas city create and promote a stronger, safer, and a more enjoyable option for transportation among the community of pedestrians and motorists.

Meredith - With the use of facts, ideas and cultural contexts, how could an outdoor, interactive, multifaceted design system promote basic interest, changes in safety, community building, and sustainability within the cyclist community in Kansas City.

Mine - How can cycling become a prominent option for pedestrians as transportation or recreation in the Kansas City area by providing information to build a stronger community between motorist and cyclists.

I talked with Meredith about my degree project and really felt I wanted to cover a lot of things that are connected to cycling in kansas city. I believe the idea of "community" from motorist to pedestrians to bikes shops to the city planners are key areas I will need to focus on. I also want emphasize the importance of cycling as a safe and fun way to commute among these areas even if they choose not to ride.

MX website response

2009-12-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

leave your valuable critique in the comments!

MX : reading response 103-115

2009-11-25T12:12:00.001-08:00

The idea that we are all imprisoned to screens whether it be the classical, dynamic, or real-time screen is very interesting and overlooked. Although after about 2 hours of looking at the screen I have to get up a move because most parts of my body are asleep. Why are we stuck in an immobile state to the screen. We see what each type of screen wants us to see and agree with it following the narrative. In this narrative it dictates what and when we get to see certain things. In virtual reality we may feel as if we are moving or in the actual space but we seem to be lacking a correspondence to the actual environment. When VR took the idea of the mouse and placed it on some ones head we magical merged the VR with reality. This seems silly and back for the eyes. I think I like this immobile state because I don't like being in a reality that isn't real. I like the balance of realization and the narrative the is provided. Its not always about your perspective but rather the cinematographers. I do think 3D movies are pretty radical though, but still super intense on the eyes.

What strikes me as interesting about representation and simulation is how we combine these. The fresco enters a new kind of perspective that tries to simulate the environment into reality. This representation of images and other media seem to be creeping more and more into our environment. Although we still remain imprisoned to them even if they become mobile. This really bothers me because not only will we be imprisoned to them but the opposite seems just as sketchy. If VR and other screen based media become mobile when could we escape them. Maybe I'm old fashioned but some of the best things in life are completely removing ones self from the screen and enjoying the real physical world.(such as riding a bike) if this ever or is a simulation I would find it interesting to compare it but I doubt VR will ever be as enjoyable as the real thing. I see VR as more of a training exercise to avoid injury or emotional shock that could be resourceful and save money. Other than that I'm not down with mind games.

MX : reading response 94-103

2009-11-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

I agree with the fact that the screen creates a simulation of what is being pictured. When we see something that doesn't fit to the screen size we become highly distracted. Now we have options to customize this by either dimming the background to cut down on this distraction or to even full screen most things. Although we sometimes elude this in leisure time due to loading on certain websites and networks but anytime during long periods of concentration or presentations this illusion is a must. Channel surfing also crossed over into surfing the web! I really like the analogy of widows acting as flipping through channels or watching them simultaneously.

I was also really fascinated with the history of the screen outside the television. It makes me wonder what other technology will stem from our current efforts in military technology. ( hopefully something constructive )

When the reading talked about using a pen to interact with the screen this reminded me of making up technology for our community websites. Although every user would have to obtain them to participate but the advantages are endless. The experience of going beyond the typical screen based image could really evoke a sense of virtual reality through the idea of the third dimension that changes to the user.

This article is very informative and makes me question how long the screen will be around. Can any surface have the potential to do what the screen does now or even could light alone hold this virtual reality? good stuff!I do think people are so accustomed to the way the TV screen works right now with minor innovations but the monitor is still in its beginning stages. I cant even comprehend the technology used in the military and the progress that is being made. Will we ever escape virtual reality once it moves beyond the screen?

MX : reading response

2009-11-16T00:27:00.001-08:00

This article really helped me understand the evolution of media contained in an interface. What was once viewed just as a tool to complete a task to the entertainment in our leisure time. I thought the idea of the content and interface for new media merging together was something I want to do with my project. Where the layout and graphics and tightly woven together with the content. Wether your making a static or interactive based website all the content preexists, But the idea of new media artworks having data created at the point of interaction brings another level to the interface. I think this idea brings a lot to our culture and how we interact with everything. When we talk to people or send people messages we cant predict beforehand the evolution and the interaction taking place.

The human computer interface describes how we use tools like the keyboard and monitor or other physical forms to interact with the computer. When Apple came out with their interface in 1984 it already had metaphors set in place such as the trash can that sits on the desktop. Maybe I'm stubborn but this language has never crossed my mind as why and I think its here to stay. Today you can change the completely change the appearance of your whole computer but the titles for actions and devices will seem to always maintain their original names. (i.e. folders, desktop, trash can)

"...the computer was still largely thought of as a simulation of a typewriter, paintbrush or drafting ruler-in other words, as a tool used to produce cultural content that, once created, would be stored and distributed in the appropriate media-printed page, film, photographic print, electronic recording. By the end of the decade, as Internet use became commonplace, the computer's public image was no longer solely that of a tool but also a universal media machine, which could be used not only co author, but also to store, distribute, and access all media." (69)

now having the ability to access all media the interface plays a huge role in how we interact with it. When watching a video on my computer I now have the option to have it pop out, dim the window, or enlarge it to my viewing pleasure. This makes my interaction with new media more engaging with the click of one button. On top of this software is available to download movies to view at a later date. I can then edit this movie and make it my own in response. This is why so many knock off videos are possible these days with so much access to media.

Printed Word.

The role that type plays in computer media is extraordinary. Not only is it housed to be read but also makes up the formatting of websites. It can also facilitate the interaction with the computer and user by displaying computer errors. If flash didn't give me the slightest clue to what I was doing wrong I would be doomed way before I even started! thank you error messages. This is also seen through the corrections that the computer makes for you when your typing. I can now instantly see when I have typed something wrong and correct it immediately.

CINIMA

Cinema is now becoming more prominent in displaying information due to the media-rich environment that new generations are constantly surrounded by. One of the biggest forms of cinema is the camera which we now adapted its grammar in how it operates. (i.e. zoom, tilt, pan, track) Even the rectangle frame that derived from western painting is assumed to extend beyond it into reality. From the these attributes virtual realities took form and transformed the 2D model of video games into 3D. I think this shows how we can now investigate and discover new things not allowed by only two dimensions.

"Rather than being merely one cultural language among others, cinema is now becoming the cultural interface, a toolbox for all cultural communication, overtaking the printed word."

I see why this is so important to video games but completely replacing the interface seems a bit much. I actually don't see this overtaking the printed word outside of video games. Obtaining information for me online requires reading the printed word. Since when will there be a virtual reality for wikipedia with a character talking to me about something. Maybe someday soon we will all be stuck in second life. Maybe I don't see the advantage to having our lives rooted in virtual reality when I can see metaphors that are currently being used such as hyperlinks that navigate us through information. I can see it being useful in certain applications such as how google maps or flight simulations but the uses of cinematic qualities in this passage seemed a little over enthusiastic in how this is the future or all interfaces.

Human Computer Interface

The HCI is reforming other media both on the level of content and form. Print and cinema being social means to communicate are now being adapted into other forms and thus taking its own meaning.

"if we simply mimic the existing conventions of older cultural forms such as the printed word and cinema, we will not take advantage of all the new capacities offered by the computer: its flexibility in displaying and manipulating data, interactive control by the user, ability to run simulations, etc." (93)

Who knows what's further up the road but we can predict that no longer will cinema and word be looked at the same when placed inside of an interface. I think I went to live in a different country I might feel my past being a big part of my life but everything will soon take on new meanings and forms as if something has just been discovered. What else is there to discover in interfaces and what forms will they take?

MX : wireframes

2009-11-13T00:15:00.001-08:00

labels are anchored into the biggest block on the right that functions as the home page button.

choosing a category will highlight projects associated to them while still allowing other projects to still be linked.

clicking on triangles bring up larger images.

This design uses my last name as the nav bar that will rotate out links accordingly.

when a letter is rolled over it displays the category title. when you click it changes out the projects. when you roll over the rectangles they will bring up a title and discription.

clicking on a bar will bring up a large image with more views located on the second set of triangles. when clicking on the bar to the left it will bring you back to the roll over stage of all the projects in that category. you can navigate by clicking on the arrows at the bottom.

a color coded periodic table holds all projects and a roll over activates the project description large and overlays the image when rolled over. when rolled off it will be removed and show the complete image.

Design Ignites Change

2009-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

RELIEVE and REVIVE the bicycling commute

Four years ago Kansas City was the worst place to bicycle in the country. Today there are still no bike lanes in the city areas that are most traveled by cyclist. This facilitates more cases of aggressive driving that keeps people from commuting daily. Many people think we should not ride in the streets but we will not take this! Bicycles were here long before cars and belong on the streets. Riding on sidewalks or paths endanger more people than following the laws that both motorist and cyclist must obey. Most places require just as much time to travel by motor vehicles so why can't we make an effort to cycle our way to a better way of living? Cycling gets you in shape and keep toxins out of the air. Lets relieve and revive the cycling community!

MX the relocating architectural community

2009-09-13T19:37:00.001-07:00

MX: community model demographic

2009-08-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

Josh E and I have narrowed our activity of finding a city that is right for you to people that are 21-35 and have a BA degree in architecture looking for a new place to start there career. We have split our community of architects into two categories that will help someone decide on a location right for them. These two categories are personal and work related. Through our understanding of college graduates with a BA in architecture the field can be very competitive and tremendously dependent on location. Once someone has graduated we will try to propose thriving cities and compare values that are personal and work related. A goal is to motivate and bring a sense of community to the driven graduate looking to progress in their professional career. Some activities would involve the interests of staying current with architectural advances such as lectures, technology, grants/fiunding, and city growth.

Physical boundaries: Since architecture can be employed almost anywhere the boundaries are fairly broad and could expand to the entire globe. There are also considerations such as geography. What climate is ideal, and what cities are in need of development? Architects also consider building codes and laws, financial resources, natural resources, and maintaining a safe clean environment.

What/Who's involved: City Officials, Government Funding. Approving a project is a big step in architecture but affects a larger community with increasing taxes and providing museums, venues, and entertainment to a broad spectrum of individuals. Architecture creates jobs and strengthens city investments.

Equipment needs: public support, building supplies, engineering tools, drafting table, computer software, safety regulations. industrial machinery, construction crews, hard hats, money, surveyors, ect.

RISD

2009-02-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow friends classmates and other people who are reading this. Im just chilling right now after a hard day of school listening to Lil' Wayne that Josh gave me. Big ups!

So the RISD experience is pretty nice. I'm starting to find my little groove and getting comfortable with the surroundings. It was really overwhelming first arriving due to this big mess of getting into my room figuring out the huge campus and scheduling classes. Registering the first day of class is a bad idea. I guess that is the first big disadvantage about studying abroad. It seems most people study somewhere else to get certain classes or teachers but its kind of hard when there already full with other students in the program. Although I got most classes that I wanted I did not get into a class with Nancy Skolos... but I'm super stoked on having Doug Scott for my graphic design history teacher! The class has 80 people in it! and instead having huge writing assignments were doing actual design projects! each person is assigned to do a landmark poster and a context timeline. We break into groups of about 8 with grad students for help for this part though. Im doing the the Wiener Werkstatte and Ray & Charles Eames for the time line.

The facilities here are amazing especially the library that is located in the building I live in (15 west). They have this camera eye that will take photos of books, crop them and send them to your email for you! The commons are lined with real diamond chairs. Its really top of the line and its weird that I'm already used to it. The bad thing though is all these crappy flyers lined on the walls.... I thought KCAI's printing was a bummer sometimes but RISD is a joke. So I guess I'm just not going to print anything.

The faculty that I have is drastically different from KCAI. They are all older, I believe, and most of them are foreign. Ootje Oxnaar is from nederlandand and designed there currency a couple of times!

He told us that a critic said his design looked like monopoly money and he took it as a compliment. He emphasized how much fun he had making these and that he was open to do whatever he wanted for the design. He also incorporate a braille system. When he was making the 25 he put an imprint of his middle finger into the philosophers beard and was seen until the final prints were made. he's really funny (unintentionally, because he's 80 and is so laid back). He teachers Identity design. Where making book covers right now of a classmate and using there initials for a monogram. 3 are so much more complex then 2. We also have to have a hand drawing of the person in black and white to focus characteristics of some ones identity.

the white lines indicate the flaps. and spine. Soyeon doesn't have a middle name but we had to use three letters so I spelled yes using a letter in her name.

I also have Krysztof Lenk for Mapping Information. He also foreign and from Poland. The class is still not rolling completely because he was feeling sick but we did a HUGE mind map of the word aggression and organized it by using bw type only in a group of 7 people. this was a lot of fun deciding what we all felt was important to the topic and the hierarchy of the over all design. now we're going to emphasize how we feel individually about the map with color image and any other type of treatment that will give words and categories meaning.

I had to take a type class just because I am attracted to it. Hans van dijk is alittle strange and from the Netherlands also. Were set up to do a MoMA project that involves a current exhibitions poster (only type, bw, 2 colors), a pda website for an Iphone, and a catalogue for Joan Miró.

My Final class is visual systems. I like the set up of the class because we meet in the auditorium every class and receive a lecture from Tom Ockerse for about an hour or so then I meet back in design with John Caserta and get into more of a discussion on the topics. Right now we are experimenting with patterns and doing reading responses to systems. Deconstructing what makes a system up. The system as a whole, the components in the system, and how they interact giving the system its behavior. Here is a screen shot of my patterns. I created a unit and rotated, inverted, and reflected each piece on a 6x6 grid.

One thing I've that is different is the amount of people in graphic design here. Its nice to see a huge group that are all talented and bring something to the program. But many people aren't in studio or don't work in studio. So for me its a bummer because I'm on a wait list to get a desk. Sometimes Ill just sit in someone else's desk but it gets to be a hassle if I'm bringing stuff back and forth. The design center is a really nice place and has the school store right on the first floor along with the mailing room. So pretty much the opposite of KCAI's design building.

There seems to be a few more activities here as well. I was really excited to see a label tied to a railing in the elevator that hung a little illustration of a tree. On the back it was an event about praising The Giving Tree. (one of my all time favorite books). There is also a portfolio day coming up which I am going to attend. Can't wait to go check out American Eagle! But there is a pretty big list including Pentagram. The more experience the better. I just got all my resume/portfolios sent off to some places and already have an interview set up!

Im really excited about this whole experience and was a lot of fun. There is something about making a package for a specific group or person that represents yourself.

There is also many inspiring things here. They have a Paul Rand book cover exhibit up right now in design as well as student projects of infographics.

I haven't been around to all the building here yet so Iwill probably do that in the next week and post something along with more pictures.

This was in Philly during my layover. I kind of like airports. As long as there not crowded. I flew on Valentines day so it was pretty chill. The stewardess sang a song on the plane and served free vodka.

I fit right in here with my headphones on.

15 west A.K.A Roger Mandle building A.K.A where I live.

The is the view from my room. I think the statue is missing an arm... do you see those silver buses? Those are for the criminals that get sent to jail!

I hope this has informed you in some way about my experience so far. I also hope everyone is having a great semester back at KCAI and are having tons of fun!

0.00

2009-02-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is what I have been excited about lately. I started off with a 12 speed chicago schwinn. all original parts except the wheels. Process will soon be up for those interested in all the hard work I put into this ride.

SM crit (CASSIE!)

2008-12-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

"phase 3: system postcard"

2008-11-13T22:35:00.000-08:00

This is my final solution.

The System I came up with was youth rebellion.. seeing roller skates representing a younger crowd.. and having them run over a city.. especially a church is rebelling or not conforming to beliefs of laws.. I hope this is something on the right track...

Combined postcard Final

2008-11-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

VL combine post cards

2008-11-11T22:11:00.001-08:00

TV opener research

2008-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

To Me the purpose of the TV opener works as its identity along with it being a brief summary of atmosphere and character that are rooted in the show. Many openers use songs or imagery that are recognized and become this type of branding.. it also coexist with the credits framing the show as a whole. They exist because they give credit to the actors and producers!
The context would be inside a store.. local coffee house.. I see a bunch of snow surrounding it. its in a small town. there a lonely man.. looking for friends. he's a local at this coffee shop.. its open 24-7 due to the craziness of all the coffee fiends. the main character,Fred is there for its the conversations though. they have some bomb coffee. As he spends all of his time there being hyped on coffee his brain is constantly thinking and pondering of the people who visit the coffee house. Always seeking for a good conversation or a different point of view. I would like it to have its own channel 24-7 but you know thats not possible. so I would throw it in with one of the not so popular later night channels because I came up with this in the last twenty four hours.. GREAT. The audience is just the random viewer who finds something intriguing in the relationships Fred has with random people. The people who cant sleep at 2 in the morning.
ok so yea im thinking it will be called "Fresh Bean"

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SM documentation progress

2008-11-09T23:26:00.001-08:00

This is basically where I started. I knew I wanted it to start off with real life objects (either coffee beans or table top scene), so I took photographs with a tripod. This allowed me to make roll over buttons that moved and remained in the same vantage point.

Another big step was photoshopping all the parts I wanted to move and create a short animation that would play when rolled over.

so this is the crazy action script I've been working with. Tons of symbols and images.. trying to keep them in organized files.

It was kind of hard to document the actually animations due to the roll over aspect. Each object will have some kind of roll over and allows clicking to play something else. I tried to pair them up logically.. so sugar packets play my kinetic type of sugar and so on..

"comm models: object postcard"final

2008-11-07T03:14:00.001-08:00

"comm models: object postcard" process

2008-11-07T03:04:00.000-08:00

I was looking at ways I could use the object to create tension. is this cheating? anyways.. dramatic lighting always helps..

STATEMENT

2008-10-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

In my approach to this project I would consider the narrative of each image. Just learning about rhetoric and how you can imply another level to images or create a new relationship seemed to stand out the most and something that could only be done if the subject was well understood and considered. So starting off with good information I wanted to base my concepts around what hispanics were mainly concerned with which was immigration.

Even as I was working through a single concept I would find more and more possible tropes I could use to say something new or different. Sometimes this would end up being more confusing but would show an example of different tones depending on the situation.

For my first poster with weaving I chose doing an allegory. I believe using thread as a literal device showing the joining of materials and in this case the principle of immigration or border laws. I felt that a weaving/poncho could be easily recognized as a reference to hispanic culture and then further symbolize the importance of each thread as each vote is important to form immigration regulations. I felt that this one was the most developed and understandable for using a trope for its minimal clarity.

My second poster was a bit more of a stretch and involved creating a metaphor of a butterfly conveying the concept of immigration sense every year they migrate back and forth. This became a route for me to make something light and fundamental. Being able to show something of nature and bringing it back to hispanic culture was the goal. So in this reason I brought in a mariachi band to further deepen the environment setting between them and the musical floating butterflies. I ended up going with a wood block print approach for its highly recognizable reference to the culture as well so as soon as someone saw the image there would be a direct connections to my demographic of hispanics.

over all there was a lot of critical thinking that needed to be resolved and having this apart of process is indeed going to bring up man new ideas that will take an image or idea to the next level and away from the mundane.

FINAL POSTERS/PROCESS

2008-10-15T03:14:00.000-07:00

Junior/Senior Crit.

2008-10-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

So Adam, Adam, and I just did are critique on our vote posters and it went well. I received some important feed back on how the metaphor of migration wasn't as clear as it could be. we discussed how the monarch butterfly could be directed towards hispanics without using a mariachi band to focus on the main idea of migration. I thought the illustration would work nice as using a band as a voice and creating movement. I think this is good on a certain level.. but as we discussed it might be a little tooooooo deep and involves more patience to being persuaded. We discussed on how a copy could be enough to give the viewer information needed for understanding the metaphor, but then how would this be related to hispanics... so is the mariachi band needed to speak to my audience.. aWWWWWWW

We also commented on how my copy on the mexican blanket also needed a different copy which ive been trying to get going. Its like I know there is something that makes perfect sense but I just haven't found them yet. so I have two days and lets hope my mind power will figure this puzzle out!

Final Kinetic Type Animation

2008-10-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sugar always starts and ends the day.

my three verbs are dissolve, crystalize, and rot!

flash progress

2008-10-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

2D :: KINETIC TYPE :: storyboards

2008-09-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

experimenting with transitions between verbs. sugar dissolves into crystallization and then rots. I took most of the ideas from the top storyboard except I had sugar clumped and broke apart as it dissolved. I also had fragments from rotting fall off the frame.

RHETORIC 1 :: mexican americans

2008-09-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

1. What are some predominately shared values of this group?

Family is by far the most important value among mexican americans.detail

-hard work

-honesty

-economics

-human rights

-collectivism

2. What political policies/issues are particularly important to this demographic in this election?

-education

-income

-organizational involvement

-Iraq war

-economy and health care

-immigration

3. Are there any cultural references your demographic identifies with?

-Lowrider! "not only a visual statement but it is a statement of a way of living. To relax, go slow, be proud, and never sell out who you really are."

-Quinceanera

-ponchos & sombrero

-Tattoo of sexy ladies

-day of the dead, skulls

-tequila?

-tomales

-those guys that ride around little carts selling interesting things....

4. What does their graphic landscape look like?

-corona

-bright colors

-mustache's

-homiez

-piñata's

5. Including aiga document and other sources, what are the issues cited for this group not voting?

-elections based on non-issues

-thought the count did not vote

-too busy, conflicting schedule

-voter registration problems

-illness or disability

sources:

Link

2C :: KINETIC TYPE :: transitions

2008-09-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Initial word list:

sugar

mug

straw

spoon

coffee grounds

instant coffee

My decision was based on the interest in the verbs of sugar: crystallize, rot, and dissolve.

I did a lot of hand drawn sketches as well as digital. I enjoy the digital rendering of crystallize for the reason it emphasizes the structure of the letter form.

crystallized

rot

dissolve

final two book narratives

2008-09-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Final actions of making coffee and drinking coffee in book form. ten frames were also inserted into the narratives and displayed in a story board format. I changed the background to gray use a dark color for the coffee and appear easily.

Documentation

2008-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Refined version from previous set taking bits and pieces of photography combines with sketching or even mocking up or French press.

Documentation

2008-08-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

These were six different narratives of drinking and making coffee. I first took photographs to get the ball rolling and ended up using coffee grain and collage to illustrate the actions.

choosing an activity

2008-08-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

who doesn't love coffee? its uncontrollable! COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE!

Port-foil-LEE-oil

2008-08-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

over this summer I've made a portfolio to study abroad and also possibly get a worthy internship. questions and comments are appreciated!

PORTFOLIO LAYOUT

2008-06-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

working on a portfolio layouts and this what im diggin right now

FINAL PLACARD

2008-05-08T22:39:00.001-07:00

IN CLASS REVIEW

2008-05-02T06:05:00.001-07:00

PROJECT FOUR PROGRESS

2008-04-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

PROJECT FOUR

2008-04-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

First Ideas

People- clock: old person, scale: fat person, Lock: security

Life-clock: birth, Radio: disaster, Phone: death

Birds-clock: rooster, phone: pigeon, calculator: owl

Action-clock: skid mark, lock:broken glass, scale: imprint

Cheap-radio: newspaper, lock: rope, phone: pen and paper

Old- clock: sun dial, calculator: abacus, radio:newspaper

I've already started exploring treatment and composition in my bird concept and really enjoy this one visually in comparison to the technology aspect of each icon to nature. I first did many acetone transfers, drawings, overlap printing, and some photoshop.. I started to develope a similar language to my icons by pixelating the birds into grids. Im now in the process of experimenting how the image and icon interact through composition.

FINAL INFOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE SPREAD

2008-04-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Figuring out how complex data could be displayed through layers and scale showed me how to connect different information in a cohesive way. Comparing two different ideas was joined by scale on one graph and brought into the locations for another level of comparison to read. Being accurate, attending details and simplifying over and over made understanding all the layers clearer and relate to each other. I also experimented with a single color for specific information and found I could rely more on graphic elements to bring them together. Seeing placement was also an issue. moving elements around to find a relationship to inform the viewer more directly has also improved clarity. Overall I seen what the information was and worked to communicate this through these methods of design to intrigue viewers and still let the data speak the same language.

SMALL GROUP CRIT

2008-04-18T06:35:00.001-07:00

INDIVIDUAL / PEER CRIT

2008-04-11T08:24:00.003-07:00

PROCESS

2008-04-11T08:24:00.001-07:00

My first piece of process was digitally seeing all the information from each location. The data included highest concentration of each occupation and highest paying occupation. although it does show information if could be a bit blurry and not specific enough. So on the bottom bars I displayed each occupation by the wages in the whole nation. each was broken up into percentages. top 10 middle 50 and bottom 10 along with the overall mean in gray. this allowed for showing location without a mess on a map. the middle piece was exploring ways to expose a key for the data that in the top was suffering from being small and apart from the data.

INFOGRAPHIC IDEAS

2008-04-04T08:01:00.001-07:00

For my first info graphic I did a good job of making mistakes fast by figuring out that a lot of the highest paying and highest concentration of jobs are located in very small states but also received feed back on how to show this in a more detailed way. some ideas were to do a zoom in on that location using scale and proportion. others were to use bullets and employ type to explain the states each occupation was located in.

In my second info graphic I tried to keep it simply. maybe it was too simple base on the information I could find on the occupations I made a basic bar graph and tried to show the comparison of 6 occupations to the 132 million in the united states. Where i think this one is on and very understandable level its not interesting to me and possibly others. So I'm going to try and take my first direction and use some repetition to communicate more.

ICON RESEARCH

2008-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT

2008-03-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

NUMERIC CASINGS

2008-03-27T23:13:00.001-07:00

tweaking the boundaries and enclosing them on each icon offered a cleaner more readable object with less distractions. I think this is all. now lets research!

ICON TITLES

2008-03-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

Figure eight

Statistical exponents

equality of six quantities

instruments of data

inside the grid

numerical data

numeric casings

COLOR SET 2

2008-03-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Adjusting contrast on each grid experimenting with visibility.

COLOR SET

2008-03-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

Narrowing down to a couple different color combinations. Still in the process of deciding what works and weight of the colors on each icon.

COLOR/ICONS

2008-03-19T16:43:00.001-07:00

Some of my first color combinations. I began mixing in the light blue from the graph paper and the grey that was the pencil marks from my scrap book with other colors since they were on every page. I really didn't find inspiration in my colors because my whole theme was about numbers so I went in the direction of making the grid stand out.

COLOR PALETTE

2008-03-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

Color was chosen specifically from my scrap book in one inch squares. Each color was balanced with a tint and a shade. With the nine colors we were required to apply them to the icons in a meaningful way using at least two colors.

CONNOTATIVE ATTRIBUTES

2008-03-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

Many adjustments were made through the process and critiques with scaling. I've now finished all six of the icons that fit into my system and made a list of connotative attributes for these icons

gridded

emphatic

intentional

clean

informative

intelligence

analytical

useful

mathematic

precise

articulate

measurement

ICON PROCESS

2008-02-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

After drawing proportional and gestural sketches of each icon, I began to explore adding and subtracting parts to simplify and clarify each icon. Then I brought outside elements that would make a cohesive set of icons. I worked with using dots in place of the numbers a bar leading to the numbers but landed on using the graph paper.

SCRAP BOOK

2008-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

I made a scrap book based on my icon set using many images of each icon to provide different styles and variety. All the icons are images in color. Along with the icons we had to define denotative and connotative attributes about the icons then display symbols and indexes. All of these are indicated next to the images and labeled or a picture is drawn showing an indicator of the icon. The book really helped me understand a further in depth meaning behind each object and how we relate to it everyday. The book was made with graph paper keeping the numeral theme cohesive.

MIND MAP

2008-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Mind mapping was the beginning exercise for a serious of icons we will be making. Starting with ideas from the word ubiquitous I exhausted words with in many categories. My final set was based on numerals.

Combination lock

telephone

clock

am/fm radio

lottery ticket

playing cards

dice

scale

license plate

street signs

ruler

measuring cup

calculator

abacus

thermometer