MX : reading response

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

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

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

MX: community model demographic

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

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! 

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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!)