ART AND DESIGN BLOG

INTRODUCTION -

Brief: Develop creative and contextual outcomes which explore and respond to specific London locations and creative figures from past and present.

My brief for this project was to design a kiosk for the new development being built at Battersea Power Station. My initial sources of inspiration came when I was researching the designer Thomas Heatherwick and saw his kiosk design in London. I then came up with the idea of it being based on the grass in front of the new Battersea Power Station development when I was later researching the architect Charles Gilbert Scott and discovered that he design the initial power station. My other sources for additional references were Barbara Hepworth who's sculptures I looked at to gain inspiration for kiosk designs. I felt her interesting style of taking a material and exposing its qualities transcended the material itself. Further more her use of combining the human form into her work fascinated me, which is where I finally then went on to research the architect Santiago Calatrava who has a similar style of architecture to her sculptures in this respect. I then went on to design my final piece from looking their work. 

TIME MANAGEMENT -

I feel that my Time Management for this project was not as good as I hoped it to have been. I struggled initially to come up with a brief that I could get passionate about and it took me a while to generate some good ideas. However once I found the kiosk brief and explored it further I became engulfed in the project and got back on track. I initially planned out my timetable writing down things I needed to do with dates of completion, however I found I underestimated how long some areas of my project would take. For example the initial designs became a problem when I lacked the research and inspiration, so I did a lot of research on different designers and architects like; Thomas Heatherwick, Charles Gilbert Scott and some more. But once again after doing this extra work I did not find it a problem to generate the ideas and despite the set back I managed to get a range of designs down. All the same I would have liked longer to explore more design opportunities as I had to cut the time I had to do initial designs due to the set back. 

With regards to the rest of the projects I looked at what I had left to do after the initial designs and re-planned to ensure that I would be able to finish the project. However my final set back was that I managed to break my arm at the very start of half term, a time where I had planned to catch up on all the outstanding work that I needed to finish for this assignment. Not being able to do any work over this time in my opinion deeply impacted the level of work I was able to do on this project and is why I was barely able to finish it.

RESEARCH -

I found that research was a very crucial part of this project upon realising how much it helped to give me inspiration on certain areas of this project. I completed a lot of primary research in this project from my initial trip to London as I conducted a lot of observational drawings and took a lot of photographs of thing that inspired me. I also did a range of artist copies from when I conducted research into a range of different artists. An example of this is when I looked into the architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick who was a big source of inspiration for me throughout this project. I instantly became absorbed in all his projects due to his attention to detail and ability to take on any project due to his loose, modern and innovative style of design. I looked into his work doing an artist copy of the vents that he designed in Paternoster Square in London. This helped me get an idea about what I wanted to have as my final piece and helped me develop different concepts for it. 

An important part of the brief was to be inspired by creative figures from past and present. This was expressed through some of my research, however mainly by my contextual study into the architect Mies Van Der Rohe. Conducting this research helped me widen my knowledge of architectural design and gain further inspiration for my initial kiosk designs. This also helped me answer a vital part of the initial brief. 

Without the wide range of resources I have used to conduct research I would not have been able to create the kiosk design I used as my final piece. In this respect research has been a key influence in the development of my work throughout this project.

DEVELOPMENT -

I feel the development of my ideas in this project was very strong. Due to this project being based around the premise that we set our own brief in my project the outcome ultimately developed out of experimentation with designs and materials and research into different artists and designers. 

From my initial brief ideas I showed a lot of development through the use of research into specific artists to gain inspiration for the brief ideas themselves and the possible outcomes. I also experimented through the prototypes for the briefs doing them in the style of different artists work and using multiple mediums to create them. This can be seen in the prototypes I did for my first brief where I did some poster designs in Adobe Photoshop promoting Thomas Heatherwick’s kiosk design in the style of Paul Catherall, a famous poster designer.

Once I had picked the kiosk design brief I started to create some initial designs by experimenting with different shapes and researching different artists to help generate ideas. After choosing a design that I was very happy with I developed it further, analysing the design and changing aspects of it in the interest of making it better. Further development on my final design can be seen through my experimentation with the shape of the wings on the side of my kiosk that act as shelter. I played around with some different shapes for it until I found the best design in terms of aesthetics and implemented it into the final design.

My overall documentation of my development throughout this project has been very clear and good in my opinion, however if I had more time I would have like to actually done more. I think this would have given me a stronger final design and a more thorough, thought out design.

FINAL OUTCOMES

My final outcomes for this project take the shape of a finished rendered design for the kiosk and a model of it. My kiosk has a main purpose of being an interesting architectural feature of the new development at Battersea Power Station and to serve the public. The brief for this project was to ‘link the past and present’ and to be ‘inspired by the past, and it’s relation to contemporary art or design’. Reflecting on this I believe that I have fully answered the brief. This can be seen as I researched an architect from the past and looked in depth at a building he designed. Then from this research I gained inspiration to design a new contemporary piece of architecture in front of an important historical piece of architecture affectively linking the old to the new.  

My final kiosk design took the form of a design rendering that I did using the programme Adobe Illustrator to draw it out and I then placed it in Adobe Photoshop to give it a rendered look. I used the paint brush tool and used skills I already new like the ‘make selection’ tool so that I could pick certain areas of the design and add colour to them. I added tone to the finished rendering as this made it look more realistic as if it could have been in a real setting.

My other final piece was a model of the kiosk. I made this using wood that I had to laser cut and stick together. I chose to use the laser cutter as I had a broken arm and this seemed like the easiest way to make it considering my predicament of only having one arm to work with. I also managed to spray paint the final model white giving it a clean finish and portraying the colour that it would be in real life. I used fake grass for a realistic base that I bought at a model making shop and stuck it to a piece of wood to make a large flat base. This made my finished model look more professional. I also added a small laser cut person in acrylic to the model as this showed the scale that the kiosk would be on compared to people. 

I believe my final outcomes were professionally finished and well done, however they could have been better. I think that I had good development behind the design but if I had some more time I would have created a final model that I would have been much happier with. However I did fully answer the brief so I believe that I have been successful in this project. 

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE -

If I could change anything about this project I would probably give myself more time to make the final model as I found that I had to rush this which seemed silly as it was one of my final pieces. I would have also like to make more models for my initial designs and experimented further with different materials for the model making.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNT -

Health and Safety Notes - V&A Project

I used a range of different tools and machinery through out this project, bellow I have written about some of the health and safety precautions that I took to ensure that I was being safe at all times.

WHEN USING A COMPUTER

Safety Problems to Consider:

There are some possible safety problems that can be generated from using a computer too much, these include -

Some ideas to keep in mind -

provide tiltable screens

provide anti-glare screen filters

provide adjustable chairs

provide foot supports

make sure lighting is suitable

make sure workstations are not cramped

plan work at a computer so that there are frequent breaks

Some rules to keep in mind -

There should be no trailing wires.

Food and drink should not be placed near a machine.

Electrical sockets must not be overloaded.

There must be adequate space around the machine.

Heating and ventilation must be suitable.

Lighting must be suitable with no glare or reflections.

Benches and desks must be strong enough to support the computers.

Health Problems to Consider:

There are some possible health problems that can be generated from using a computer too much, these include -

Eyestrain: Eyes can become strained after staring at a computer screen for a long time, particularly if working in bad light, in glare or with a flickering screen.

SOLUTIONS -

Screen filters can remove a high percentage of the harmful rays emitted from a computer screen.

Use screens that do not flicker.

Take regular breaks - do not work for more than one hour without a break.

Lighting must be suitable and blinds fitted to windows to reduce glare.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): Repetitive Strain Injury is damage to the fingers, wrists and other parts of the body due to repeated movements over a long period of time.

SOLUUTIONS -

To prevent RSI, make sure your posture is correct, use wrist rests and have a five-minute break from typing every hour.

Back problems: Many computer users suffer serious back problems. This is probably due to a poor posture or an awkward position while sitting at a computer.

SOLUTIONS -

A fully adjustable chair should avoid poor posture.

Footrests can reduce these problems.

Screens should tilt and turn to a position that avoids awkward movements.

GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY USING TOOLS

Glue Guns are generally safe tools to use, although misuse and carelessness can result in hazards being created. Due to the temperature at which the adhesive applicators are used, it’s important to consider health and safety when using them to avoid accidents.

Protective gloves should be worn throughout the application to reduce the risk of burns.

The glue gun should be unplugged if it isn’t intended to be used. 

Do not come into contact with the hot glue under any circumstance unless wearing protective gear.

Craft knifes are very sharp and can cut through most thin materials such as paper and card. There are several reasons why they can become dangerous, for example they can cut through skin with with the slip of the knife at ease. To simply avoid this, make sure that when using the knife any fingers are not in the way of the cutting line and are not underneath the material you are cutting.

Use appropriate sized materials to minimise the need to cut.

Always use a cutting mat. 

Consider the use of alternatives such as laser cutters etc.

Laser Cutters can become unsafe when not used correctly, which is why its always best to wait for a teacher and have their assistance before using the laser cutter. Without knowing what to do, fires could be caused. Never leave the laser cutter unattended when its running as there may be a problem that may need your attention. When using this piece of machinery you should keep certain things in mind.

Never cut material that may be unsafe or too large for the laser cutter.

Always have a teacher there to assist you.

Appropriate protective clothing must be worn.

Do not look directly at the laser beam.

Bandsaws are powerful tools which use a blade consisting of a continuous band of metal with teeth along one edge, used to cut various materials. This being a heavy piece of machinery has lots of hazards and precautions that need to be taken into consideration.

Make sure that safety goggles are worn when using the band saw.

Make sure all guards are in place and properly adjusted.

Hold your material firmly and flat on the table to prevent it from moving out of place.

Do not leave a saw running unattended.

Above I have written some health and safety notes that are relevant to my experiences on the Synoptic project.

I used a scalpel a lot to trim bits of paper and cut pieces of brown paper.

I used a computer a lot in this project for designing my final pieces and creating some pieces for my initial brief designs.

In my book for the Synoptic project I designed a layout using brown paper. Do do this I acquired a large roll of brown paper. In order to make it easier to cut up and stick in my book I used a iron to smooth the pieces out, so that they were flat.

I used scissors a lot like a scalpel lot to trim bits of paper and cut pieces of brown paper.

Design Process 

It took a while for Camberwell to respond to my application as I applied in November and the deadline for all the applications was January 30th. However a while later I was offered an interview or a ‘portfolio drop off’. This is where you come along to Camberwell and drop off your portfolio for two hours whilst you go away and listen to a talk on the university. As you are doing this the teachers look through your portfolio and decide whether they will give you a place on their foundation course. 

After apply to Kingston University for the Art Foundation course I was invited to an interview for a place a short while after. This course is very popular and out of around 1500 applicants they only takes 150 students. Having been offered a interview with such odds I felt extraordinarily proud and wanted to create a portfolio that was well presented and featured my best work. The interview for Kingston is different to others as you present your work to a teacher, the Head Mistress and a current student. The interview is also done in groups of about 10 people. 

How The Interview Went

I turned up at Kingston University 10 minutes before my interview started so that I could get composed and remember certain things that I wanted to say. When the interview started I was very nervous and they asked who wanted to be first to present their work. I put up my hand as i thought going first would show confidence and make me more memorable. However I was not in the Head Mistresses direct line of sight and someone else went first, coincidentally I ended up going last, but this actually work in my favour.

As I watched the other candidates present their work I became less nervous as the teachers were all being very friendly and warm. I had done some rehearsing of things that I wanted to say about my work, like key features and ideas at home before so I knew some things that I wanted to mention. Before it was my turn to present I also found it helpful to listen to the other students and hear what they had to say, as it gave me some more ideas of thing I could say.

I think my actual interview went very well and I spoke strongly with confidents. I had enough time to show all my work without my turn being cut short and I found it actually quite interesting answering the questions that they asked me. I actually impressed myself with the way that I spoke about my work.

Personal Statement

Studying Art & Design and 3D Design has exposed me to new concepts and broadened my outlook. Seeing ideas through from the initial design to the finished product gives me a real sense of achievement. I believe the foundation course at Epsom will help me identify my area for specialism at degree level, as I am currently undecided. I’m really interested in Graphics or 3D design, but with all the opportunities and range of disciplines this foundation offers, this could easily change.

I understand this foundation course uses a very practical approach and encourages experimentation. I love discovering new mediums, materials and techniques and working out how to use them. I taught myself to use Photoshop and incorporated this into my projects. For a textiles project I designed a pattern, printed and edited it into bicycle frame designs, furniture and wallpaper. I have also taught myself to use machinery including a spot welder, which I used in a lamp-design. I enjoy modelling using materials such as wood and metal in the workshop but also intricate work such as pencil drawing or watercolour painting.

I enjoy working on group projects, bouncing ideas off each other and seeing other student’s different approaches to tasks. I’m currently doing a group task creating a website for the V&A based around ‘paint’.

The opportunity to explore new areas beyond my comfort zone and learn from mistakes really appeals to me. I find feedback sessions really constructive; I’m not worried about expressing my opinion or my work being judged. Being inspired by my peers leads me to challenge my ability and work to higher standards. I leave sessions where we critique each other’s work buzzing with ideas.

Modern architecture intrigues me; I love visiting cities and want to visit New York to see buildings I’ve only seen in photos and movies. I admire Frank Lloyd Wright's bold use of minimalistic design combining organic and geometric shapes harmoniously to create simple but striking buildings.

I like the fact that art isn’t just an image, but can make a statement or political message and evoke emotions whilst being silent in a world of noise.

Personal Statement 

Studying Art & Design and 3D Design has exposed me to new concepts and broadened my outlook. Seeing ideas through from the initial design to the finished product gives me a real sense of achievement. I have chosen the ‘Diagnostic’ pathway because I have not fully decided what I would like to specialise in at degree level. I’m really interested in Graphic or 3D design, but with all the opportunities and range of disciplines this foundation offers, this could easily change.

When I visited Camberwell for the open day the lecturer explained this foundation uses a very practical approach and encourages experimentation. I love discovering new mediums, materials and techniques and working out how to use them. I taught myself to use Photoshop and incorporated this into my projects. For a textiles project I designed a pattern, printed and edited it into bicycle frame designs, furniture and wallpaper. I have also taught myself to use machinery including a spot welder, which I used in a lamp-design. I enjoy modelling using materials such as wood and metal in the workshop but also intricate work such as pencil drawing or watercolour painting.

 I enjoy working on group projects, bouncing ideas off each other and seeing other student’s different approaches to tasks. I’m currently doing a group task creating a website for the V&A based around ‘paint’.

The Camberwell tutor explained the college encourages students to explore beyond their comfort zone and learn from mistakes, which really appeals to me.

I find feedback sessions really constructive; I’m not worried about expressing my opinion or my work being judged. Being inspired by my peers leads me to challenge my ability and work to higher standards. I leave sessions where we critique each other’s work buzzing with ideas.

Modern architecture intrigues me; I love visiting cities and want to visit New York to see buildings I’ve only seen in photos and movies. I admire Frank Lloyd Wright's bold use of minimalistic design combining organic and geometric shapes harmoniously to create simple but striking buildings.

I like the fact that art isn’t just an image, but can make a statement or political message and evoke emotions whilst being silent in a world of noise.

Online Portfolio

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fqfbfurwf95v70c/AAAkMNcqaB6QgoUT9Ty8uW-Xa?dl=0

above is a link for the online portfolio that i had to make as the first stage for applying to Kingston University. From this they then decide whether they want to give you an interview

Personal Statement 

Studying Art & Design and 3D Design has exposed me to new concepts and broadened my outlook. Seeing an idea through from initial design to finished product gives me a real sense of achievement. I always express my opinion and appreciate constructive feedback. Being inspired by my peers leads me to challenge my ability and work to higher standards. I leave sessions where we critique each other’s work buzzing with ideas.

I love experimenting with new mediums, materials, techniques and approaches. I taught myself to use Photoshop and incorporated this into my projects. For a textiles project I designed a pattern, printed and edited it into bicycle frame designs, furniture and wallpaper.

Modern architecture intrigues me; I love visiting cities and want to visit New York to see buildings I’ve only seen in photos and movies. I admire Frank Lloyd Wright's bold use of minimalistic design combining organic and geometric shapes harmoniously to create simple but striking buildings.

I like the fact that art isn’t just an image, but can make a statement or political message and evoke emotions whilst being silent in a world of noise.