Jenga 1.0: Kit of Parts

When this project was first assigned to us, I had no idea what to expect. It is always interesting to see what your initial thoughts are to a project and how this varies with the final outcome. We each were to draw one concept word which would be our inspiration for each of our three spaces. When drawing the word kiss, I immediately thought of red and pink, hearts, and the Mae West Lips chair...much too literal. I went to my desk and immediately wrote down feelings and emotions behind a kiss. My first reactions to this word was the initial feelings one has towards a first kiss. There is a sense of anticipation, discovery, and exploration. The idea of being "sun-kissed" was suggested by Patrick. This space developed into a place of serenity and feeling at one with the sun rays pouring in. My last interpretation of the word kiss was the feelings and trust behind a kiss in families and other cultures around the world. In all three of my spaces, I really tried to make sure the right interpretation of the concept word fit with the experience of the set dimension sizes. Every room had to evoke those certain emotions one might feel during a first kiss, being sun-kissed, or accepting a kiss in a family/culture setting.

[Sun-kissed]

11'x32'-4"

2 columns, 1 wall

In this particular space, I felt it appropriate to put "sun-kissed" in the smallest space. Feelings of relaxation and serenity deserve a space in which the individual can focus on themselves. With all the windows being on one wall, it shines differently of the curved ceiling, allowing sun rays to bounce off your skin. The bed situates itself in between the two columns as though it embraces the individual as they lay down much like the sand surrounds your body at the beach.

[Bonding]

22'x 32'-4"

2 solids

In this space, I wanted to explore the idea of a kiss in a family and culture setting. This seemed most appropriate in the larger space to parallel the idea of large communities, friendships, and families. I chose to use two solids in the space to incorporate the idea of bonding and stacking to build up the idea of trust. Within trust takes strength and the rectangular shape alludes to fortitude.

[Anticipation]

22'x22'

2 walls, 1 column

In this particular space, I chose to explore the anticipation one feels before a first kiss. The two walls gradually become wider to resemble the growing feelings one can have for someone after a kiss. As the walls lead one to the opposite end of the room, one anticipates what will be around the corner. On one side, the living and bedroom occur. On the other side lies the kitchen. I chose to elevate the bedroom to heighten the anticipation and create even more exploration to the most intimate area of the space, alluding to the idea of hierarchy. I chose to place this interpretation of the word kiss in the equal dimension room because in a first kiss, the feelings of both people are equally important. It takes the emotions behind two people to create the anticipation behind a first kiss.

WI 2

When I first drew the word “kiss” from the cup my mind went straight to literal. The color red, x’s and o’s, and the “Mae West Lips” chair. It is funny how our mind will associate one thing with another so quickly. To erase all of these typical ideas out of my head, I started to compose a list of words or ideas that come with a kiss. A kiss to me means a seal, or almost touching. There is also a strong cultural aspect associated with a kiss. Intimacy, building relationships, and touch were thoughts that kept racing through my head. Rather than automatically coming up with a floor plan and figuring out where the sink would go, I had to remind my self to think of form. These forms would relate to the emotions one feels with a kiss. My first emotion I wanted to portray was the spark or the anticipation one feels before a kiss. I decided to have a hallway guide one down the space which would build anticipation for what would be around the corner. This hallway barely touches the remaining walls, varying in height. As you come around the corner, the living is on one side while the kitchen remains on the other side. A loft helps to separate the bathroom from living space and also allows the intimate space to be saved for last.

Another idea which was proposed was “sun-kissed.” At first I did not care for this idea. I just could not seem to think of any form or interesting moment which would take place in the space. I decided to write my first narrative about this space, hoping it may formulate any ideas. Surprisingly, this narrative allowed me to visualize the space and design a space that felt exotic and relaxing. Much like sun rays that pour in and play off of surfaces, I thought of the beach and how the warmth of the sun seems to wrap around you. I thought to have the ceiling gradually rise in a curve shape as you walk further into the room. The light will play off the surface of the ceiling differently at every point and guide you to the bed at the end to create a sense of serenity and relaxation.

The third space explores the kiss within friendships and families. A strong sense of relationships and bonding supports the emotion behind this type of kiss. This helped to formulate my idea for the solids within the space. As one walks into the space, two solids divide the room into the kitchen, living, and sleeping areas. These solids are continuous stacking a rectilinear shapes that bond together to create areas of sitting, a bed, cabinetry, and eating. The rectilinear shape speaks to the bond which occurs in families and friendships because it is a strong shape. It appears it will hold the weight of something else without collapsing. This idea is important in a kiss seen in friendships and families. The kiss signifies that trust and sincere love occurs. These two solids do not touch the remaining walls but sit more towards the middle of the space. The center reveals importance and unity. A kiss can unify two people and show the bond that two people have for each other. A kiss is not only significant in intimate relationships but also in families and friendships.

Diagram

Through diagramming, I found it to help with clarity. Color-coding the space helped me to see how the elements link together. The circulation also helped me to figure out where to place certain objects for easy flow. These diagrams made me make more sense out of my own space I was designing. Sometimes I get confused in my own thoughts, but the diagrams led to clarity for me.

Designer bio revisit

After reading over the first designer bio, I realize that I do need to have more fun deigning. Sometimes, I become completely overwhelmed by all the many projects and assignments, but I need to remind myself more that this is all learning experience. This is what I love doing and I need to remind myself more of this and let the enthusiasm show through my work. I am not always going to have the right answer, even thought this is what I strive for. I need to strive more on having fun. This is much like my personality to be somewhat of a perfectionist and making other people happy. My goal throughout this program is strive on what is important to me as a designer, taking other people’s critiques, and applying this to my work. In the end, the most memorable projects are the ones we feel most enthusiasm towards.

Narrative

As you walk in, you immediately fell a sense of relief....this is the moment. The anticipation has built up and finally it's gone....nothing but happiness. As you wait, you can not think of anything else...your mind is completely blank. As you wander around you come to find out that every place is full of serenity. Nothing seems to get in the way. All you want to do is soak up rays and enjoy a good book. Along the way you might find peaceful quiet spots...a place to get away from the world. In this place, another relaxing activity is enjoying the view and the its serenity. Your mind is clear and finally at peace.

WI1: Designer bio + goals

I first entered the program during the second semester of first year. Before this major, I tested out many other possible ones. At first I was a theatre education major. I have always enjoyed being on stage and playing a different role. After that, I went to being an art major. I have always enjoyed art but doing just art was not for me. Then I went to elementary education. This major was NOT for me! I was so anxious being around 6 year olds all day. I always enjoyed design so that is when I decided to apply for this major. I have really enjoyed being in Iarc and I think that it allows me to put all of those interests I had into one major. Coming from Robert’s studio, I feel I have acquired a better knowledge about space and how one might interact with that. This semester, I hope I can apply that to other people’s design questions. I want to be able to relate to other people and see their design needs. I also want to be able to communicate my ideas better. Most importantly, I want to have fun designing! After reflecting on goals about design, we listed our strengths as a designer. I think I am a good listener and am willing to listen to other people’s ideas. I try to see inspiration in the everyday. I also feel as though I can use my own personal experiences to help in my design process. Getting into groups with two other individuals who know you well, we were asked to mention their strengths. My group mentioned that I am organized and manage my time well. I work well in a team and help motivate others. I am a good communicator and can visually represent my ideas. This was surprising to me because I tend to think I do not present my ideas clearly and it becomes jumbled or confusing. My group also mentioned I am an active learner and adaptable. Some of these comments were somewhat surprising but after taking the personality quiz I realized that my answers were matching with some of the group;s comments. After completing the quiz, I ended up being a “true pragmatist.” This is a person who is flexible, a mediator, and balancer. They can see both sides and want harmony in a group atmosphere. This is most definitely the type of person I am. It is interesting to see that this type of personality is not all that terrible. Sometimes it is difficult to make a quick decision, but overall the “true pragmatist” is ideal in a group setting for a leader. This was surprising because I would think that the more outspoken person would appear as the leader and naturally lead the group. I guess this leads to my next goal which is to be more confident in my design and know that I will only become a better communicator. With this drawing, I wanted to show that I am an observer of my everyday surroundings. I also look to see how I can continually better my design.

Point Essay: Explorations

“The right question to ask, respecting all ornament, is simply this: was it done with enjoyment?”
~John Ruskin
As this unit began, people still explore what it means to be modern. There was a notion of the exotic previously and a desire to be in a place of elsewhere. Not the notion was borrowing on the natural world. According to William Morris this was a medieval revival which was true architecture. In the Red House, William Morris allows the space to rely on the warmth of wood, and the exterior is asymmetrical to resemble the outdoors. This leads to the arts and crafts and the aesthetic movement. Art becomes much apart of space where objects depict value. Interior spaces should be completely decorated which implies an ideal life. An environment which has been altered are the spaces people desire. This raises a question of what’s surfaced and what’s substance.

As the 19th century comes about, many changes occur. There are changes in society where population increases. A scientific development occurs. The industrial revolution allows for new materials- concrete, iron, and steel. These changes alter the interior and the sense of privacy. New ideas occur such as the elevator and the bay window. With new technology, the focus no longer is about ornament but the machine.

Though the industrial revolution pushes design further, the question of whether or not to look forward or backward still arises. Art Nouveau is the first movement to look forward. It embraces new material and does not look back to classic or medieval precedents. Hector Guimard mentions that “it is not the flower to take as a decorative element, but it is the stem.” This idea looks forward rather than backward to typical past design movements. The idea that it is no longer the typical flower which is seen beautiful rather the stem is a surrealistic idea that changes the way one looks at design. The machine becomes a part of decoration in interior spaces. It portrays the moving line and a new fluid style.

The Art Nouveau movement was not popular in the United States, except in decorative. Art Deco started in Paris and soon became popular in elsewhere. It consisted of humorous and the theatre, layers and tiers, and a notion for speed and movement. The movies played a huge role in the influence of design. The movies inspired buildings to look like a set one would see in a movie. The set on the screen was a place of elsewhere, a glamorous place which everyone longed for. It becomes a time of explosion of color and a sense of worldliness. The machine also plays an important role. It transforms the meaning of architecture, purifying forms back to geometry. Design was sleek-so sleek that the past slides right off.

However, what happens when a legacy is handed to the next generation? This matter of fact alters design again. The 20th century becomes a crisis of what good design is about. People look backward to the Crystal Palace and the Eiffel Tower for inspiration. Design tries to move beyond modernism and instead play with forms and textures. However, sometimes too much focus on form and texture leads a design that is not functional.

http://www.rebuildglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/suburbia.jpg

It seems as though the crisis is not in modernism, instead the 20th century is an era in which many design languages are occurring that no specific one is apparent. Even today, people are always looking back to what they think good architecture is. People never seem to see the good in what is happening in the moment. In such a short period of time, many life changing events occur altering design tremendously. In our last meeting as a class, it was mentioned that people have this innate feeling to want to go back to the “good ole days.” People strive to move forward in design, yet want everything to be how it used to be. Today, we are in the suburban era where people design for themselves and want everything to be fast and fit their needs. Maybe this era does answer John Ruskin’s quote that design now is done with enjoyment. However, it seems this era has lost a sense about design in itself. Maybe people will recognize this missing link. Who knows what the next design movement will be. I am sure it will continue to look back to the past. Who can say what the “good ole days” consisted of. Design will continue moving forward and looking backward. It is not a crisis but an uncertainty of what is happening in the now.