Barker's Hovel

I was indisposed while this session was on, as I was busy doing work for my studio project, but I’ll give it my best shot despite there not being a class recording and not having groupmates.

I kept myself to the 25 minute time limit as best I could.

This week we explored the concept of ‘Systems Thinking’ where each element in a system is affected by other elements either directly or through several degrees of separation.

I had to design and lo-fi prototype wallet for someone who only uses cards, and doesn’t carry coins or notes.  I came up with a taco-shell-like design, held together by two elastic straps that can expand/contract depending on how many cards are inside. I then had to ask someone else a few questions about the wallet. I chose my partner.

What Do You Like About It?:  “It’s low profile, and has a modern feel to it”, “It’s minimalist”, and “It’s not too limiting” What Would You Change?:  “Close off one end so it’s more like a L pocket shape, so there is less risk of cards dislodging” or “make the bottom of the taco shell all elastic for better and more uniform expansion” Any Questions?:  “What’s it made of?” “Leather and Elastic.” “Not very 2020 friendly, is it.” “Piss off.” “*laughs*” Any Ideas?: “RFID shielding would be nice”, “Add a metal belt/pocket clip”, and “Add a keyring/lanyard eyelet”

I then had to modify the wallet based on their feedback.

Original Photo: Aluminum Can Cut In Half

Interpretation 1: Alien Prison/Observation Cell, Large Scale

Interpretation 2: Social Distancing Marker, Small Scale

Q: Consider how you use drawing as a research method in your own work and tell us about that - it could be quite unlike any of the ways we have talked about in this class - maybe you make diagrams or maps to explain your ideas. A: I like visualizing my thoughts in drawings/words in order to help me keep track of what I’m thinking about if it gets to complicated just to keep in my head. Sketching something out before committing to a design for something is also incredibly useful. 

Studio Game WIP 4: I’ve implemented a full walk cycle for the ‘Positive’ emotional state, as well as grid based movement and object interaction. Also fixed an annoying bug where the player speed was proportional to the amount of objects in the room. Next I’ll animate the other 2 emotional states, finish up modeling the last few bits of furniture, then get onto the ‘objective’ system and actual gameplay implementation.

It also takes me an hour+ to model a single frame or object, so I’ll need to hurry to get this all done by the 23rd.

Describe The Object: My object is Maneki, He’s a lucky cat statue who sits on my meager lump of physical cash no-one is accepting anymore, keeping it safe until this all blows over. I like him more than most people I’ve met. The Process: To start off, I took a photo of him on the table, and transferred the photo to my laptop. Then I took a photo of the photo, transferred that photo to my laptop again, and repeated this process 10 times to completely deep-fry the image quality. Next, I opened the image in Paint.NET and applied all sorts of filters, effects, and color swaps until I got the picture in the 3rd image. I then ran the image through the shown distortion effects in PHOTOMOSH, and got this cool looking radial thingy. Reflection: This was really fun, and informative too. I enjoyed absolutely destroying an image into something completely unrecognizable, and found some interesting aesthetic choices I didnt know I would like, particularly the 3rd image is neat enough for me to put it on a t-shirt. I might use this method if I ever need a funky looking pattern for whatever I might be working on in the future. 

Aotea Square

Sounds Heard:

*Honk*, *Brrrrrrt*, *Thonk*, *Bang*, *Bleargh*, *Clank*, *Squeak*

Potential Changes:

 The sounds here were largely the result of nearby construction, cars, and art installations of vomiting robots. Not very nice to listen to. To change this, I’d install speakers that play more organic sounds like the calls of native birds, waterfalls, etc.

Impact of Change:

The space would feel a lot more natural and populated, rather than a flat expanse of cement.

Auckland Art Gallery

Sounds Heard:

*Bong*, *Clip Clop*, *The Earsplitting Shrieks' Of A Hundred Schoolchildren*

Potential Changes: 

 I didn’t hear many sounds here, but given that an art gallery is supposed to be a place of quiet observation, that was most likely by design. I would keep the space the same, but give schoolkids a lollypop each to keep their big flapping mouths shut.

Impact of Change:

No real change, other than accelerated tooth decay in the children.

Albert Park

Sounds Heard:

*Tweet*, *Chirp*, *Mumble*, *Click*, *Whistle*

Potential Changes:

This was my favorite location, as the sounds were all biological from people, birds, and insects rather than cars and construction. I wouldn’t change anything here, other than potentially some sound insulation around the perimeter to keep the sounds of the city out.

Impact of Change: