Outer Space: The Unknown

Standing 42ft high to represent the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything (as said in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), this monument is dedicated to the exploration and unknown nature of space. The basic form of this monument is a cone shape with the smaller end mounted to the ground, while the wider area is open up to the sky. This basic shape is to provide a sense of depth and dimension, much like the vast infinite space of the universe.The cone shape is made from copper and is mounted up on a slight higher ground. The material of the copper was chosen to (over time) reflect the historic aspect and reflect the idea that over millions of years, the universe has changed, much like the copper will over a period of time.

As for the senses, viewers are able to SEE not only the outside structure, but they are able to actually walk inside and take a gander up the monument to see if anything passes through their sight. If something is lit, the inside copper texture has a reflective quality which will create a very engaging visual. This reflective nature of the inside could be referenced from the reflective nature of the moon and how it is "lit up" by the reflection from the sun. Once the viewer walks inside/ near the inside they will HEAR music that will enrich the experience. Gustav Holst provides a classical sound to this inside of this monument that is adventurous, nostalgic and even a little ambiguous sounding. The monument is lined on each side with rivets, which is a great detail TOUCH point. The hammered copper and turquoise transformation it takes on also allows for an interesting texture that viewers will surely touch. Another touch point is the ground. Surrounding the monument is a black "space rock" that will just add another experience for the viewer...walking on black rock. It even highlights the monument more with the black background. I envision this rock having a distinct sort of smell, something that can't be explained or pinpointed...an unknown, unfamiliar scent.






Monument SPACE Poetic Final

DP: Tutorials

So for the past couple of weeks I have been going through some online tutorials with After Effects and even some in iMovie. Thanks to the library here at KCAI, I was able to obtain a 2 week Lynda.com license, which has become extremely beneficial in learning more about these programs. This video below is a sample of what I was working with. The video I have taken with the small HD Flip camera has not really interested me as far as the "look" I'm going for. It was a little jumpy for my taste. From this evaluation, I was then directed to try and create a movie based on some of the photography I have taken so far also. Using the Ken Burns Effect to create some visual interest, I have attempted at a video clip, which is the one below.

Based on feedback that was given to me earlier today, I am going to work towards illustrating 1 storyline through 2 different view points. I'm still unaware on how this will work, but seems like a plausible way to approach the next step in my process. I also need to revisit my time line for this project, as most of my deadlines have been altered due to scheduling issues with the El Dorado Architect Studio and the cold horrible weather. Till next time, this is what I have going on with my Senior Degree Project.

SPATIAL: Monument to Space

Monument_SPACE_presentation_practice

SPATIAL: Space Progress

So I've decided to continue developing the avenue of concept 1. To recap the viewer would be able to walk underneath it and interact with it. Once underneath, this cone shaped monument would allow the viewer to look up and find a distinctive point of reference in the sky. This idea would create a sense of depth and distance, a never ending illusion. It would be possible too, that things were to be poking out and intruding the space inside to further provide a sense of distance. The shape is a cone shape referencing a space shuttle or even a telescope. I also thought about how it would look at night, so I figured there could be some orchestration of lights within the outside or inside.

I have also thought about some other things. For example, depending on what time of day there would be one spot that would be able to light the whole inside of the monument. I envision this being somewhat representative of a supernova. This idea of light hitting specific areas could also play with activating sounds. These sounds could consist of anything from The Planets soundtrack or sounds that sound like "zooming" or "exploding". I'm not sure if space does have sound, but who knows.

The scale of the monument would be 1/2" = 1". I think the height of this monument is going to be 42ft, since the number 42 is thought to be the number of the universe (not just in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), but also a couple of other things. (like the angle curve of a rainbow)

As for smells, I'm still tossing what the smell would be like. Can you really put a definite smell on adventure? Well as far as what space smells like, my research has revealed that it has a gunpowder-esk kind of smell. Some other descriptions are: fire/burn smell/ozone/electrical smell/hot metal & fried steak.

Interesting Fact Alert: NASA has even hired Steven Pearce of Omega Ingredients to create a scent for space, so they can utilize it in the training processes.

Taste is also kind of different and hard to represent on the monument. Space food has evolved since the early days and astronauts can actually eat regular food, but I think it would definitely be an "adventurous" experience to have tubes of food available for monument viewers.

Location- I'm weighing 2 different options for locations of the monument.
1. Rising Star, Texas - As this little town looked for an idea for a name, they were unsuccessful...until they noticed the twinkling morning star that showed up every morning and decided to name it Rising Star.
2. Mars, Pennsylvania- This is also a small town, that's home to the Mars spaceship. This town embraces the Mars name a lot as they have places like Mars Tools and even have their sports team named The Planets.
3. Vegas- I also thought this would be an interesting spot to have an interactive space monument. It has everything from around the world, so why not something from out of this world. haha

PUSH PLAY

So, I didn't have any of the logo files, so I just placed my own in there...haha

SPATIAL: Monument Sketches

When I began brainstorming my monument toward space and the universe, I didn't want things that were too representative of space. I also mainly tried to think of functional, interactive monuments, ones people would be able to interact with first hand.

This first idea is something rather experiential to the viewer. Ideally, the viewer would be able to walk underneath it and interact with it. Once underneath, this cone shaped monument would allow the viewer to look up and find a distinctive point of reference in the sky. This idea is create a sense of depth and distance, a never ending illusion. It would be possible too, that things were to be poking out and intruding the space inside to further provide a sense of distance. The shape is a cone shape referencing a space shuttle or even a telescope. I also thought about how it would look at night, so I figured there could be some orchestration of lights within the outside or inside.

This second monument idea is a visual reference to the shape of a crater. The thought is that the inside of this shape would be able to house an exhibition relating to space and exploration, possibly even something that changes over a couple times of the year. I see this being shaped within the earth, yet somehow preventing a flood in the crater, possibly some illusion to the shape rather than literal one. Also, the windows within this space could be a way of interaction, maybe both inside and outside. (can't see through them) Or I can see them being available for a 360 degree view.

The third idea is also a space in which the viewer would be able to "walk into". The overall shape is a circle, a reference to the never ending universe we live in. The shape could also represent UFOs, a planet or planet ring, orbiting. The inside of the space I view as housing possibly informational relating things, maybe engravings of constellations or planet symbols. I also see the inside being an augmented reality experience somehow.

This last idea is a large scale monument representing the idea of orbiting around the sun. I see this monument being outdoors and in relation to the space, there would be nothing surrounding it, therefore in relation to the world it is small. The universe currently has no end, so placing it outdoors around nothing could be interesting to explain that the solar system we live in is just a small portion of the universe.

Some things to think about:
THINK CONNOTATION!
Oculus
Maze - crop circle - adventure
smell & sound
The Planets - Gustav Holst
Beacon
?Raiders of the last arch
Holes for different reveals - interaction with the sun

Designville

Welcome to Designville from Lance Flores on Vimeo.

Mo and I worked together to create Designville for the Senior Show Shoooooootout. Our design was based around emphasizing the fact that we as a senior class are very much like a little community. There are no clicks or groups of people, we all sort of get along with each other and help each other out. Thanks to Micah Barta for the name, that was threw around last semester, we decided to actually brand Designville. . . and this is what we came up with. The idea behind our design was to exemplify a friendly, approachable feel, while utilizing visual puns to create a skyline to our "designville". Below are some examples of our iterations.

Application to Barkley

This past Friday (FEB 25th) I decided to apply to Barkley. I've been thinking a lot lately about post graduation plans, and I need to start actively applying. I ended up applying for both the mentorship this summer as well a job, so we'll see what happens. Wish me luck!

This was my submission to Barkley for their "design for a cause assignment" which was extra to the resume and portfolio submission. I decided I liked my unity solution for the poster clash that I decided to use in for the campaign advocating community. COMMUNITY is a campaign of simply that, community. Belong- ing to a community can be somewhat of an easy task, whether it’s geography based or by common interests, but it takes you as an individual to embrace that community and take action. The idea behind this campaign is that it would encourage indi- viduals to be active in their community, both the ones they live in and the ones they are involved with. Through this action, the community can progress together as one.

Poster Clash

On the 24th of February, I submitted two posters to the poster clash competition through AIGA. The theme this year was Unity, and below are two different solutions I came up with to represent unity.
The first solution is a very illustrative amalgamation of forms that intertwine into each other. The word unity is also semi hidden within the composition. Overall, I for sure know I could have filled the space in a more visually pleasing manner, however I was battling the deadline!



The second solution is really simple and relies on the visual representation of the word unity. The "u" represents you as a person uniting with others or in this case, the "n". The supporting text reads "together as one".