Spatial Design 1 / Exercises

04/10/2023 - 03/11/2023 / (Week 2 - Week 6)
Naura / 0356798 / Interactive Spatial Design
ISD60104 / Spatial Design 1
Exercises

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WEEK 2 - 04/10/23

For my first lesson in spatial design, our teacher introduced us to the world of art and design in general. We learned about the conceptual elements that make up good design, and then he challenged us to apply these principles practically. To get us started, he asked us to tour the school and find a neglected space we could repurpose for something else. It was a great way to get us thinking creatively about using our design skills to solve real-world problems.

The goal was to transform this spot into something that students and teachers can utilize daily and for special events. During our search, Vasuntra, Natania and I scoured blocks C and D for a neglected spot within the school. However, the lakeside area was the only area that fit our criteria. We decided to focus on the lake because Taylor advertises it as a selling point, but it's not worth it if we can't use it anyway.

After careful consideration, we decided to repurpose the lakeside area by creating a clear platform and additional seating areas. The current issue of overcrowding during lunch hour motivated us to provide a chill area for students to hang out and relax. To address the effects of sunlight and rain, we propose implementing a convertible system that can be adjusted to provide shade or an open sky experience when the weather permits. Additionally, we aim to enhance the space's ambience by incorporating lighting systems similar to the ones found in the interactive museums of TeamLab Tokyo.

Moreover, the adaptable platform can also serve as a stage for various events such as fashion shows, concerts, and performances. Its versatility and central location make it an ideal space to showcase talent and entertain the school community. With these enhancements, the repurposed lakeside area will become a vibrant hub of activity and contribute to the overall appeal of our school.

In addition to the proposed features, we envision utilizing the repurposed lakeside area for seasonal events and holidays. For example, during Chinese New Year, we can implement the animal of the year to walk around the platform whenever a newcomer steps onto it, adding a touch of excitement and cultural relevance. Furthermore, we can incorporate a system similar to the bridge in Taihang, where the illusion of glass cracking underneath your feet is created as you walk across the platform. This unique experience would attract more visitors to our school.

Fig 1.1 My group's Adaptive reuse of the campus space

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WEEK 3 - 11/10/23

Fig 2.1 My Notes on Conceptual Elements

In today's class, we focused on the Elements of Design. We primarily concentrated on the Conceptual Elements, which form the bedrock of the design process.

We began with points/dots, these small marks with vast creative potential, arranging them to craft patterns, textures, or focal points. Lines, one-dimensional storytellers, conveyed emotions and guided us with their varied forms. Volumes and three-dimensional elements added tangible reality, representing objects in diverse ways. Planes, flat surfaces, became canvases for creative expression, offering contrast and hierarchy.

Next, we explored our campus environment to identify prominent examples of dots. We documented our findings and created a PDF submission. This exercise serves as a precursor to our upcoming assignment next week, where we will also seek out lines, volumes, and planes in our surroundings. This practice is designed to enhance our ability to recognize these environmental elements and deepen our understanding, facilitating their incorporation into our Spatial Design assignments more seamlessly.

Fig 2.2 My mindmap on Education

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WEEK 4 - 18/10/23

Today's class brought us deeper into the design world as we expanded our understanding beyond the Conceptual Elements and delved into Visual and Relational Elements. These elements are essential tools that designers employ to craft captivating and compelling compositions.

In Visual Elements, we explored how shape can define the form and structure of objects within a design. We learned how size can create emphasis and balance, drawing the viewer's attention or providing a sense of proportion. Colour revealed its power to evoke emotions, set moods, and establish harmony or contrast within a composition. Texture emerged as a tactile and visual element that adds depth and richness to our designs, engaging the senses of touch and sight.

Shifting our focus to the Relational Elements, we discovered that direction is a dynamic force that can guide the viewer's gaze, create movement, and contribute to the flow of a composition. Position in design carries significant weight, determining hierarchy, relationships between elements, and establishing visual balance or tension. The concept of space unfolded as a fundamental consideration, emphasizing how positive and negative spaces interact to define the overall composition. Lastly, we explored the notion of gravity in design, understanding how elements can be anchored or suspended to create a sense of stability or tension.

By mastering these principles, we can create designs that catch the eye and convey meaning, emotion, and functionality. 

We participated in an exercise where we had to walk around the school to identify 'dots'. This activity was likely designed to enhance our observation skills and encourage us to notice and appreciate details in our everyday environment that we might normally overlook.

 

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WEEK 5 - 25/10/11

We learned Illustrator, mastering shape editing and rotation for pattern creation like flowers. This skill will help us digitize our assignments from traditional sketches. We also explored unconventional shapes, fostering creativity.

Fig 3.1 My creation of patterns in AI

Here is how to create the rotational pattern:

1. Designing the Petal: I start by creating a single flower petal using Illustrator's Shape Tools (Rectangle). Then I deform it a little bit by adjusting the line of the rectangle
2. Setting the Rotation Point: Next, I select the Rotate Tool and move the rotation point to where I want the centre of my flower to be. This is an important step for me because it determines where all the petals will emanate from.
3. Rotating and Duplicating: I then click and drag the petal, rotating it around the central point. Knowing that the symmetry of the flower is key, I calculate the rotation angle. For example, if I want five petals, I rotate each by 72 degrees. Holding the 'Alt' key, I release the mouse button to make a copy of the petal. I then use "Ctrl+D" to repeat the rotation and duplication, efficiently adding the rest of the petals.

Moreover, here is how to adjust the points of a star in AI to make some of the points rounder or shorter than others. 

1. Create the Star: First, I use the Star Tool to create a star shape. I click on the canvas and drag to create the star. If I need to adjust the number of points or the inner radius, I press the up or down arrow keys while dragging.
2. Direct Selection Tool: Once the star is created, I switch to the Direct Selection Tool (the white arrow). This tool allows me to select individual points of the star.
3. Adjusting Points: Now, I click on the point I want to adjust. To make a point rounder, I drag the direction handles that appear when a point is selected. This modifies the curvature of the lines leading into that point, creating a rounder appearance.
4. Making Points Shorter or Longer: To make a point shorter or longer, I select the point and then drag it towards the centre of the star to make it shorter, or away from the centre to make it longer. 
5. Using the Convert Anchor Point Tool: If I want more control over the rounding of a point, I use the Convert Anchor Point Tool. This tool is perfect for turning a sharp corner into a smooth, curved point. I just click and drag on a point to create the desired level of roundness.

From this session, I learned that each adjustment of an anchor point or a curve was a lesson in balance and aesthetics, teaching me the subtle art of transforming simple shapes into intricate designs. This journey has been about more than just mastering software; it's been a deep dive into the creative process, enhancing my ability to see and create beauty in the details, and fostering a newfound appreciation for the complexity behind seemingly simple designs.

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WEEK 6 - 01/11/11

In week 6 of our course, Mr. Max assigned us an interesting task: to present five organic and five artificial vectors or symbols that we had created. This assignment was designed not just to showcase our work, but also to receive his valuable feedback.

Fig 1.5 Artificial shapes

The feedback I received:

1. Camera icon: He observed that the icon's outline was a bit too vague and suggested that I should extract more details to make the camera features more distinct and recognizable. He emphasized the importance of clarity in icon design, especially for something as intricate as a camera. Additionally, Mr. Max advised me to adjust the line weights in my design, recommending that some lines should be thicker than others. This, he explained, would add depth and a sense of hierarchy to the icon, making it not only more visually appealing but also more intuitive for viewers to understand. 
2. Racecar icon: The icon appeared very rigid and suggested that adding varying line weights could enhance it significantly. By adjusting the thickness of certain lines, I could introduce a sense of dynamism and movement to the racecar, making it more lifelike and engaging.
3. Coffee icon: The current design, while fundamentally sound, could benefit significantly from the addition of more shapes and varying line weights. He pointed out that the lines in my icon were too thin, which made the design appear somewhat flat and less impactful.

Fig 1.6 Organic shapes

Mr. Max's feedback:

1. Deer Icon: This icon has a strong and clear silhouette, capturing the elegance and poise of the deer. The use of negative space to suggest the legs and antlers is clever, although experimenting with line weight could enhance its three-dimensional quality.
2. Cat Icon: The stylized approach gives this icon a contemporary feel. The lines are smooth, but you might want to define the facial features a bit more for added character. Perhaps a variation in line thickness could help emphasize the cat's expression.
3. Squirrel Icon: The playful nature of the squirrel is well-represented here, with the tail’s curve adding a sense of movement. Consider adding more detail to the tail to reflect the fluffiness that is characteristic of squirrels.
4. Fox Icon: The icon captures a fox's sleek and alert nature. To improve, you might introduce some gradation in the line weight to suggest the fox's fur texture and to add a dynamic feel to the composition.
5. Peacock Icon: The symmetry and the stylized portrayal of the peacock's feathers are visually striking. To further enhance this, you could play with the spacing of the feathers and introduce subtle line weight variations to give a more lifelike representation of a peacock's majestic plumage.

Overall, I think I have a good understanding of how to depict different subjects with minimalistic designs. The challenge lies in balancing simplicity with enough detail to make each icon instantly recognizable.