Coding

Computer coding is something most users absolutely take for granted. The source page of a website is something that appears by accident and scares the hell out of your grandmother.

Despite the fact that I consider myself well aquatinted with HTML and CSS coding, I was glad of an official context with which to put it - as someone entirely self taught some of the meanings and references went unknown, and it was interesting to hear the elaborated information. 

The day was spent first creating a standard web comic before 'hacking' it. Or, changing it to fit a different story.

Despite the fact that we were moving at the pace of the slowest (which is mind numbingly slow when the 'slowest' doesn't particularly care about it in the first place) I still found entertainment in the work I was doing, and am pleased with my final result.

I am also going to keep note of the host we used for future reference.

3D: Bridges

After a morning presentation concerning the versatility of the topic, we were set the task of building 5 'spanning structures'. They could be big or small, for humans or decorative, so long as they connected a point 'A' to a point 'B'.

Starting small in my sketchbook (as I wanted more evidence than photos that this days activities had occurred) I made five pop-up bridges across the pages.

This was a fun little exercise that got me thinking about both the aesthetics and the function of structures I was making.

The second part of the afternoon was spent making a bridge out of cardboard that would support a toy car driving across, and be tall enough for a table to be wheeled underneath. Thankfully we were put into teams for this task.

Using bamboo, cardboard and parcel tape, my group constructed a simple, functioning bridge.

This was a good opportunity to work in teams that we were unfamiliar with; our team was very efficient, first drawing up a plan and diagram before starting construction, then taking shifts during lunch in order to be finished with time to spare.

This was also helpful practise for thinking about supporting structures on a larger scale - we had to consider the size, shape, and weight of the car, as well as how heavy the bamboo was as part of the structure and how much cardboard could be supported by how much bamboo. 

I had to veto the use of bamboo as part of the required barriers, as I was sure that they would be too heavy for our lightweight structure. As it turned out, bamboo was entirely inecessary anyway, as the job could be done easily with the remainders of our cardboard and yet more parcel tape.

The only thing that I would perhaps have changed would be the incessant need that others felt for flinging the elastic bands around the room. That and possibly the amount of work it was to get everything cleared up afterwards.

3D Design

As with any good Monday, we started our 3D rotation by destroying a few habits. One such was being at all precious with work.

To start with, we would put pen to paper to draw a squiggle. Or perhaps our house number. Or some random dots. Then we had to make it into something else.

Behold, a squiggly line turned into a structure that can support two people and a cat. 

Here we have my post code drawn into a bus shelter.

Then using the very piece of A1 paper we had been defacing with these designs, we had to build a structure to support a full water bottle 20cm off the ground.

I started with the idea to build sturdy stars out of the paper, however they would not achieve the full height, nor did I have enough paper. Having cut up quite a bit of my paper, I was left with few options and fewer ideas.

As a result I fell back on what I knew to be the strongest structure to support weight - a pillar. I then added rolls of paper to the edges for balance and support. My structure worked whichever way up you placed it.

It has been pointed out to me that I create the most sophisticated accidents they had ever seen, and I suppose the morning served as a learning curve as to embellishing those accidents; by all means people thought I had time to put much more thought into it.

After lunch, the task was set to build a structure out of cardboard that could support your weight. As the smaller members of the class started planning without preamble, there was an audible groan from anybody over 6 foot.

As I didn't wish to create another pillar, I went for the second strongest shape I could muster - the triangle. Rolling over the edges of the cardboard, I strengthened the corners with makeshift pillars. A second pice slotted into the form providing the third side. Stuck in place with two cross grain pieces of cardboard and I had a structure that could support my weight.

With 45 minutes left I decided that my piece should do far more than function to stand out. I spent a good while adding embellishments in the form of yet more cardboard.

 

At the end of the day, it supported my full weight off the ground, and then got put in the bin anyway, as there was no way I was taking that thing all the way home to throw it in the bin there.

It was an awful lot of fun to attack these tasks under my own steam, as these sorts of activities had only been used before now as 'team building exercises', which more often than not meant that I would be totally ignored for the entirety of the task.

Whilst I didn't learn any outright facts about he materials I was working with, I feel that I set a suitable tone with which to continue this week.

Fashion Photography

Whilst I consider myself experienced with a camera, it would only be in social settings. It was very educational to be in the company of a professional; not only one who was skilled, but certainly wasn't trying to glorify the workload nor pay.

The honest account of the stresses and pitfalls of the job truly gave me an understanding of the dynamic between the fashion photographer and the rest of the industry. It was also very interesting to look through the selection of photos he had brought for us to see of his work - using my existing knowledge of composition and lighting effects it was good practise to try to identify where these techniques actively took effect in his work.

It was also my first time handling such monstrously good cameras; I thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the camera, despite the fact my model was rather unwilling.

Unfortunately the photographs I took that day are still inaccessible, however they will be hosted here first opportunity.

Fashion and Textiles: Part 3

After selecting a favourite (or most easily constructed) design from the previous day, our task on the final day of the direct rotation was to create a paper toile if our chosen design. We then had to ensure that ample photographs had been taken of it completed - on both mannequin and model.

I was very glad of my prior experience with textiles and pattern work, simply because it gave me a base from which to start.

I had chosen to make my 12th design into a toile because it was simple and striking in structure, and reminiscent of various different characters, the shape of the garment remarked to be similar in ways to the Akatsuki from Naruto, the blue lines dividing up the torso and arms also reminiscent of Kyogre, a legendary Pokemon.

It is important to note that the above picture is in fact, the back of the garment. Or, it could also be used as the front in you did not wish the high collar to obscure your face. 

After I had completed the basic shape of the toile, I realised two very significant features of my design. Firstly, it could be worn back to front without contradiction or difficulty. Secondly, and perhaps more important, it can be worn easily by either genders due to its neutral cut and pattern.

This is why I had it modelled by my friend Fidel, whose striking features and short hair provide the presentation of the garment with a much more androgynous aesthetic.

Although through the course of the day - modelling, travelling around in order to take a photo on every level, then on and off the mannequin, then back on Fidel for a casual catwalk at the end of the day - it got rather creased and the oil pastel with which I drew on the blue lines, it was still a shame to see it go to the bin.

Nevertheless, I have a plethora of images of my piece in action. I also have the reassurance that I am capable of much more than I previously thought in two hours.

This week has been a challenge, but has given me much more faith in my abilities to simply let an idea roll forwards with a natural sense of momentum. It has also provided Fidel with an ample amount of potential Facebook profile pictures.

Fashion and Textiles: Part 2

The second day was spent developing potential designs for a garment. This first begun with the manipulation of already existing images from fashion spreads in magazines.

By adding to these images in a creative way, we not only explored the possibility of 3D structure in collage, but built up a momentum of developing ideas for future design.

Afterwards, we made tenplates of ten different garments, and cut them out of our favourite painting. What was a long and tedious task did herald worthy results, however, as a specific image I ended up with became the basis for the next task that day; making designs.

Upon viewing my designs, everybody had concluded much the same thought as I did after seriously considering the quick sketches; Queen Elizabeth I meets space - like the Christmas special of Blackadder. 

I had decided to design exclusively outerwear - coats and jackets. I very much enjoyed this entire day, as it was very rewarding to see vagueness and experiments form into full ideas quite so succinctly. 

Beyond reminding myself of how much I enjoy designing clothes, I have learnt a great deal about simply letting my designs flow forth; very little thought was put into the shown designs and because of that lack of thought, there is a refreshing lack of criticism on my part. I can simply enjoy them for the products they are.

Fashion and Textiles: Part 1

The three days spent completing the fashion and textiles rotation was rather intensive work.

The first day started by selecting our favourite paintings and using inspiration from them to create 3 small 3D paper samples, each drawing from a different section and feature of the painting. My selected painting was 'the Solidity of Fog' by Luigi Russolo. 

This first one was inspired by the moon in the piece, and the ripples in the fog, acting as an echo.

This second piece was an attempt to put further emphasis on the ripples.

The final model was created in more of a rush than I had anticipated, despite giving up my break in order to finish these pieces. Nevertheless, it is expressive of the way in which the lighter tones of rippling fog wrap around the figures in Russolo's painting.

As you can see, the blue in the painting has been included quite minimally on white, an inverse to balance in the painting. Whilst I do love the simple cleanliness that is brought to mind from the colour scheme, it was only implemented out of practicality - I had a blue marker pen and white paper to work with.

The time before (and during) lunch was spent making ten larger copies of the samples. I chose to replicate my original design, as it was the most interesting design.

In groups, we then spent time arranging samples on mannequins; our own and other peoples. This was useful practise getting comfortable with the ease of simple experimentation.

I then managed to transport all of my samples safely home, and am currently looking for a way in which to include them in the interior design and lighting without them catching fire.