Assignment 1

My favorite point to accentuate are eyes...in particular, my eyes.

The following were done to bring out my eyes

1. Angle the camera to have the focus be on my eyes. In this image they look bigger than usual.
2. Draw attention by photoshopping dramatic make-up for the eyes.
3. Desaturate everything but the eyes and make up.
4. Darken elements outside the face.
5. Blur everything around the eyes.

Original Image

Photoshop

Poynts?

My favorite point of the Project was my left pupil, the center of my eye.

To accentuate this point I first thought inside the box, not sure of the degree of freedom of the assignment.  Here are some of my original ideas:

-A simple drawing of an eye

-A close-up photograph

-A written medical analysis

-A medical diagram, labeled, 

with an emphasis on the pupil.

However, once I embraced the project and opened up, I thought of some solutions that are far more interesting than those above.  For instance:

- A monocle on only my left eye that magnifies the eye to be far larger than the rest of my face.

      - Two heads facing each other, eye to eye, with a dotted line from pupil to pupil signifying eye contact.

- A bloodshot eye, but one in which every red vein ends in an arrow that points directly towards the pupil.  A few of the veins even leave the white part of the eye, invading the iris so that they can get even closer to the pupil

- More arrows, this time at the roots of the eyelashes, focusing attention towards the center of the eye

Points Assignment #1

I decided to use the center of a fan as one of the points for this assignment. Some of the various ways to accentuate the point would be:
1. Describe in detail the location of the point using mathematical measurements, ie. the center is 4 inches from edges of fan.
2. Spray paint hot pink or other neon color on point to contrast the black.
3. Cross the point with an X.
4. Take a picture of the fan and burn a hole where the center would be.
5. Draw a picture of the fan and paint spiral from plane jet engines in center.

6. Draw map of the room and make a label where the fan/point would be.
7. Paint arrows directly onto fan, pointing to the center.
8. Take picture of fan, cut out point, and place on blank white surface.
9. Tape a lightbulb to the point.
10. Cover the point with a colored square.

The middle of things

I am using photoshop and a camera to create the visuals for the point ideas.

The middle of my green floor


Middle of the street


Middle of the street 2


Middle of a tree


Middle of ceiling in parking lot

i

Together, points in space create our visual landscape. A point that interests me is the dot that completes our visual representation of the letter "i". Without that dot, the symbol as it relates to language, would not make sense.

Our eyes are our only way to dissect objects in space into the points that work together to create them. For me, it makes sense to use such imagery and play on words to create a visual representation of the letter "i".

Because of the way our eyes see, dots of different colors, bigger dots, arrows that point to dots, etc., work to draw attention to the point in question. In the case of the "i", none of these differentiating techniques are necessarily needed to draw attention to the dot; our eye automatically sees it because again, without out it, the visual symbol would not make sense. Therefore, the best mechanism to draw attention to this particular point is, in fact, the meaning of the symbol itself.

Design Assignment #1 - Sydney S.

For my point project, one of the points I chose was my dorm room window. Here are some of the methods I used to depict my point:

1. Draw a dot on the window.
2. Place something eye-catching on my windowsill (like a flowerpot or a flag).
3. Draw an arrow pointing to the room.
4. Hang a rope from the window.
5. Make a line-drawing of the building and make the window a different color.
6. At night, have all of the rooms surrounding mine turn off their lights, but leave mine on.
7. Play loud music from my room (up the bass.)
8. Close all surrounding rooms' window blinds but leave mine open.
9. Remove the window from the building and put it somewhere it doesn't belong (sky, jungle)
10. Have a bird fly into the window:



I thought it would be interesting to use motion to indicate a point, so I animated my example.

Points in Space

Below are the points I chose along with various ways to identify them. Above are the related images.

Point 1: Location of the ball on a playing field
Ways to identify point:
- backboard/target area/red rim (basketball)

- long posts (football)

- enclosed net (soccer)

- hole (golf)

- flag (golf)

- plates/bases (baseball)

- pins/lanes (bowling)

Point 2: Location of athlete on playing field
Ways to identify point:
- border lines/colored areas/lines (basketball court)
- batter's box (baseball)
- positioner/physical tagert (football)
- dividing ropes/tiles lanes (swimming)
- bases/positions (baseball)
- numbers/symbols (track & field)
- playbook with motion lines and arrows
- figures
- sillhouettes

Point 3: Building Entrance/Exit
Ways to identify point:
- signs
- symbols
- door
- balloons
- light
- color
- gates
- flags
- maps
- booth
- booth attendant
- people gathering
- amplified sound
- bad smell
- good smell

Point 4: Electical Sockets and Spaces
Ways to identify point:
- hole
- symbols
- outlets
- colors
- covers

- stickers
- buttons

Point 5: Street Corner
Ways to identify point:
- maps (colors, symbols and lines)
- crosswalk/pathway
- signs
- lights
- guards
- lamp post
- mailbox
- newspaper stand
- people

POINTed

Freckles are spots of concentrated melanin on the skin. They are most visible on people with lighter skin tones. Often a freckle can define an area of the body. AKA ephelis.

They usually do a pretty fine job of pointing themselves out, but here are a few ways to draw a little more attention to these points of character:

1> Tattoo a design around a particular freckle

2> Create a symbol or logo based on this spot

3> Photocopy your freckle and make a collage of all the pictures

4> Describe to someone where your freckle is, and make them find it...

5> Wear clothes or accessories that emphasize this specific area

Points Exercise

A spherical shape died, now with a dark side, it is controlled by outside forces. It shows only its illuminated side and effects fluid bodies. A source of beauty has become questioned as to it ever been visited by travellers. One man sleeps on its face in a crater cradle, wishing he had water.

Point Exercise

I chose to use the peak of Mount Everest as my point so here some of the ideas I came up with:

1. Place a flag on top of it

2. Have climbers around the perimeter all climbing towards it

3. Place snow all around it with only the peak showing rock

4. Have peak emerging from thick clouds covering the rest of the mountain

5. Have sun setting directly behind the peak

6. Calculate the longitude and latitude to use as directional guides

7. Use shadow on one side of the mountain to contrast with light on the other side of the mountain (as shown in picture)

Points

1. the nose of my Doreamon clock

- have a sniper rifle zoomed onto it

- telescope pointing to it

- satellite zoomed onto it

- decorate it with sprinkles

- attach a shocker to it

- painting it with glow in the dark paint

- tape a long string to the point (really long string)

- leave a trail of paper “bread crumbs” with the word “here” that lead to the point

- cover it in sugar and wait til an ant trail starts

- write out instructions on how to get to it

Point in Space

For my project, I decided to create a basic plane with three simple geometric shapes, then choose five points to individually describe. Like so:


The five points:
What I came up with for point two, followed by an illustration of idea 1:
1. Flood the ground plane in milk until only the point is visible
2. Stand under the cone and look up
3. Draw lines going up the structure vertically to bring attention to the point of intersection
4. Look in the middle of point 1+3
5. Paint it red
6. Plant a flower there
7. Stand on the furthest physical point from the ground plane, and look directly down
8. Douse it in kerosene and light it
9. Place an inverse cone on it
10. Have it lactate.

Points

Because i am an engineer, i tend to think a lot more literal and very structured. So i actually had a lot of difficulty with this assignment. I found myself just sitting at my desk and i ended up just looking around my room to find my points. One point that i came up is my UCLA bear that i currently use as a door stop. Its hanging from my door.

Some of the ways i described it are pretty much all physical descriptions.



1. The only hanging thing in my room.
2. The only thing i purposely keep dirty
3. the thing i kick when i walk into my room.
4. the thing hanging on my door knob.
5. the only thing with a string attached to its foot.
6. the only thing that bears the UCLA logo in my room.
7. My door stop.
8. the only thing that swings from the door.
9. the only toy i have that is wearing clothing.
10. the only stuffed animal in my room.

Point

One of my points was the inside of my left nostril. Here are the ways I came up with describing it:

1. The words I just used, spoken
2. The words I just used, written
3. A photo of me picking my left nostril with my index finger
4. A close-up photo of the underside of my nose with the left nostril dominating the center
5. A bright light in the darkness of my nostril
6. A photo with an arrow
7. A highlighted Xerox of my face
8. An arrow drawn on my left upper lip pointing up
9. A drawing with the left nostril missing
10. A photo with a red spot where my left nostril should be

Design Elements Point Exercise

I depicted my five points as everyday objects (a chair, a desk lamp, a light switch, a glass of water, and an apple), and identified them by appealing to the senses. For this particular one, I focused on sight and used a visual medium to to emphasize the point. For example: an arrow can draw the eye toward the chair; a finger pointing to the chair could serve the same function, the point may be highlighted by a spotlight or by shining a flashlight at it; a One Way sign may direct one to the chair; lines underlining the chair may call attention to it; a simple sign could represent the point; a Google map visual with a pinpoint on the chair could identify it; a bull’s-eye target could direct one to the chair; one could isolate the point by making the area surrounding it dark; or one could accentuate the point by making it the only entity in a blank space. As for the other points, I described them in a list of ways ranging from verbal cues to colors, from images to textures.

Points in Space

I tried to focus on the six senses when I was thinking about attracting a person to each point. I thought about how changing each point slightly or drastically would effect a person's perception of it. 

Points in Space

First Blog Assignment

All class members are required to post examples of Exercise One - Points describing a point in space expressed using various ways of directing a viewer to that specific point. Though the intention of the exercise is to communicate focus through graphical means - students are allowed and encouraged to explore more experimental means.

Exercise One - Point

ASSIGNMENT
Imagine 5 points in space and in detail describe those points, a short written description or list is sufficent.
Brainstorm 10 different ways to identify each point. Consider different forms of communicating - verbal, written, drawn, signage, maps, pictures (photos, drawings), colors, sound, etc.
Bring all materials and supplemental info in and be prepared to discuss your specified points, ways of visual expressing the location of the point and all of the possible meanings that can be implied.

In design the point can serve as a focus point towards a visual, indicating attention or highlighting an area of importance.
Several points in combination may represent a more complicated object (i.e. lines or shapes).
A series of points can attract attention, especially as they move closer together. Varying space can suggest movement or direction.
To use points or dots effectively in your compositions, follow these guidelines:
• points can be used to emphasize key ideas
• direct the learner’s attention
• represent a more complicated object or idea in order to keep the image clear and simple
• simply and effectively communicate with your audience
Even if there is only one point, one mark can will meaning to the viewer since we often seeks meaning in relationship or order, if only to use it as a point of orientation. If there are two points, immediately the eye will make a connection and “see” a line. If there are three points, it is unavoidable to interpret them as a triangle; the mind supplies the connections. This compulsion to connect parts is described as grouping, or gestalt.

Below is an example of a series of dots or points that beautifully create an identity / logo that expresses movement and order

Design Fundamentals

Design Fundamentals is an introduction to the basic elements and processes of visual communications. The goal of this course is to provide students with a working understanding of perception relevant to the visual arts + design and the production of visual art products. Coursework will investigate design elements and vocabulary for critical purposes, through exercises that improve visual and manual dexterity. Students are asked to complete exercises that will encompass tone, color and properties of color, design elements (format, points, line, pattern, proportion, scale, shape, texture), interpretation of space (edge, perspective, dimension), and conceptualization. Students will explore a variety of media: gouache and brush, pen + ink, collage, basic photography, computer and Xerox manipulation and printouts.

This blog will chronicle the progress of the student designers.