Sustainability Across the Curriculum":Stoies and Strategies for change

On Wednesday the 24th, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture at UC Davis, which was part of their annual Design Lecture Series, which focuses on incorporating different speakers who’s concentration is design. The lecture, entitled “ Sustainability Across the Curriculum: Stories and Strategies for change” is one of the very first lectures for the 2009-2010 school year. This week Geoffrey Chase, professor at San Diego State University, came and spoke to us about the topic of Sustainability and how it is being incorporated into curriculum to both enhance the minds of college students, and provide effective ways to evoke sustainable habits in every day activities. Through stories, and collective data results, Geoffrey helped us to better understand the importance of the sustainable movement in curriculum. Since Sustainability is quickly becoming a priority on everyone’s mind, especially in the design field, it was extremely helpful, and interesting to hear how schools are taking valuable information and incorporating it into their curriculum to make everyone aware of how they can be apart of the efforts. Having been apart of Ponderosa Project at Northern Arizona University, Geoffrey was a leader in helping faculty from all areas incorporate the idea of sustainability into their curriculum. The Project was an experiment which consisted of twenty different faculty from different areas. Their task was to see how they could incorporate the idea of sustainability into their everyday teachings. It was exciting to hear the results that people were able to include ideas that were centered around the subject, which matched the professor’s original subject matter. Chase also provided useful information about how to make the knowledge of sustainability effective on all campuses. Enforcing that sustainability is local and global, transformative, involves relationships and the community, and that it’s made up of different types of systems, are all useful ways of getting the point across to students. With direct distinctions such as listed above, Chase pointed out that it is entirely possible to tie sustainability in with individual curriculum. It literally relates to every subject. It was all useful information that I hope continues to be heard on campuses nation wide. Sustainability is the future. We all have to start somewhere…

(http://calvinscl.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/sustainability.jpg)

3D: Jeffrey K. Bedrick

(http://iasos.com/artists/jbedrick/)
In a recent exploration into 2D, and 3D images, I discovered an artist by the name of Jeffrey K. Bedrick. Jeffrey is a contemporary artist who works specifically with 3D art forms. His designs and images are representative of that of a mystical world, as well as Representative images of nature, and realistic places. In studying his work, not only did I notice his intricate amount of detail, but also his use of color, form, and shape, represent images that are extremely realistic. When an observer is studying his work, it is almost as if you are in his paintings, acting as one of his mystical characters. His work with his 3D images is amazing. They almost look as it they are computer generated 3D Images. The unity in his paintings really helps give a clear understanding up his work, and his creative process. One particular painting entitled "The Last Resort," is an image of a picturesque paradise, complete with a rainbow, beautiful flowers in the foreground, and a striking temple in the background, which also acts as one main focal point. Along with many other elements that work to unify the entire picture, like light, and shadows, the design of the 3D image creates a story with in itself. The scale in the painting is accurate of a 3D image. There is depth, height, and width within the image, with also helps to unify the image and provide structure. The balance of color in contrast to the white and dark, is very striking as well. Bedrick is clearly a talented designer, and artist, and used 3-demensional images to convey a story and ideawhich is very present in his work. I urge every to take a look at his work, and really allow yourself to be apart of the picture, and his work.

Perception: 2D

As a designer, it is crucial in our work environment, that one can perceive, and understand all sorts of images. It is important in our work field that we have an accurate knowledge to be able to evaluate a design. Perception in our field is critical because both as a designer and as an observer, we need to be able to perceive the work of others, in hopes of understanding the designer’s concept and the idea behind their work. Through perception, and its understandings, we as designers are able to understand different types of design. Two-dimensional images are not only a key component in the design world, but an inside look to different forms of perception. They, as an image and design, allow an observer to see deeper into an image. They provide detail that may not be as evident in a “flat” image. Both Jackson Pollock, and Andy Goldsworthy could be considered a Two-dimensional artist. Both use and capture material in a two-dimensional form, and in even some cases, three-dimensional form. Two-Dimensional form emphasis unity in its design by allowing two separate parts to come together to form one universal design. Unity is extremely evident when one evaluates paintings, and even sculpture. In Japanese Animated Artwork, unity in the artwork is extremely present. The foreground strongly connects to the background of the piece, and allows the audience to perceive and understand the actions, and emotions in the characters. (See link: http://th01.deviantart.com/fs24/300W/f/2007/348/8/1/SF_Legends_Chun_Li_Issue_1_by_UdonCrew.jpg) Another element of two-dimensional artwork, which helps with perception, is Balance. Balance is key, in particular aspect of design. Balance in two-dimension design is essential because it provides stability for the artwork to “function.” When the design is balanced, the observer is able to understand the design, and the designer as a whole.

Jackson Pollock

Though Jackson Pollock may not be an artist who paints scenes from nature, or tries to capture the essence of landscape in his work, but he is an artist who used his surroundings to guide him in his work. Born January 28th, in Cody, Wyoming, Pollock always loved to paint.
Considered one of the most influential painters of his time, Pollock created his pieces based on his color choices, and the items he decided to use in his work. Pollock’s media in his pieces consisted of canvas, glass, and other various materials. Pollock used small pebbles, glass, and some odds and ends, in his work with the paint, also. He allowed the items in his paintings to guide him in his work. If he felt disconnected from his pictures, he began a new painting. Pollock worked closely with his surroundings to create a beautiful piece. His designs would encompass his surroundings by having the painting relate to his space. His work can be considered postmodern work. His work often leads his audience to stare and gather his message, for hours. Jackson Pollock has been and influential artist and designer, and has set the tone for the all of the following postmodern artists.

(http://blots.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/jackson_pollock_gallery_12.jpg)

Van Gogh-

After continuing my search and deeper exploration of Andy Goldsworthy it sparked my interest to see other work done by artists, where nature, and outside surroundings act as significant inspirations. Through my search, I discovered a very well-know name. Vincent Van Gogh was an artist born in 1853. He was a painter who is most famous for his self-portrait, and an image entitled “Starry Night.” Though there are differences between Andy Goldsworthy and Vincent Van Gogh, especially because Goldsworthy is know for his strong sculpture work and photography, one can see that both men, in their design practices used nature as a source of inspiration. Van Gogh, over the years, painted a variety of images ranging from still-life artwork, portraits of individuals, and landscape prints, each different in their own way. One of my favorite landscape portraits where nature, is involved is a portrait entitled “Olive Trees with the Alpilles.” Van Gogh uses a beautiful combination of cool colors, which help to capture the essence of the surrounding nature. Though the form is somewhat “dream like” and unrealistic, Van Gogh is still able to capture the inspiration of the trees and the sky in his work. His design may be abstract in form, but it is very traditional in terms of use of color. His work allows his audience to enter a world where his design aesthetic is to create a dreamer’s world, which allow them to see deeper into the final product.

(http://arttoheartweb.com/images/Van_Gogh_Starry_Night.jpg)

Cracked Rock Spiral: Andy Goldsworthy

After reviewing the material from a recent lecture I attended, it really got me thinking about design, and works of art that are inspired by the outside world, and its surroundings. After learning of Andy Goldsworthy, it inspired me to look closer at the Artist and his work. Andy Goldsworthy is known for his work as an artist, sculpture, and photographer. His work encompasses elements from nature, as well as his own ideas, which are put together to create a masterpiece. As I began my research, one particular piece caught my attention. The piece, entitled “Cracked Rock Spiral” is a series of rocks, which are cracked in the middle, and arranged into a spiral, with the center becoming smaller. Clearly this piece of art was inspired by rock formations found around nature, and place in a specific shape to perhaps represent the coming together of one. The rocks’ gaps between each piece, begins to get smaller and smaller as the rocks spiral closer together in the center. The distinct line that is made from the gap also begins to thin out as it reaches the center. Goldsworthy took elements from his surroundings to create a piece that speaks volumes about his design aesthetic. His work shows how he creates pieces by being inspired by simple things. Through his pieces, Andy Goldsworthy accomplishes an element of sophistication in his work that is very visible to his audience.

(http://becksearlescott.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/andy_goldsworthy3.jpg)

Taking A Trip Home..

After returning to my hometown this weekend for a family wedding, I decided to take a trip to a local museum that I had never had the privilege to visit before. After visiting the UC Davis Design museum, it sparked my interest to visit other exhibits and see the different areas of design that are evident within other museum exhibits. This particular museum focuses on local history within the town. Not only was the original building built in 1912, but the McHenry Museum, served as the town’s original library. This small bit of information made for a greater understanding of the museum as a whole. The set-up of the museum allows a great interaction with its audience by inviting them to take a closer look at the exhibits, with actual “scenes” set up, making the bystander believe that they are actually in that time period. The museum was designed by year, starting with artifacts from the earliest times in history, and ending with memorabilia, and artifacts from more recent times in history. I really enjoyed the museum as a whole. It provided very interesting information about the town’s history, and the era surrounding that time. Though I enjoyed all of the museum, I grew to appreciate an exhibit of artwork by Virgil William West. Mr. West was a local artist know for painting beautiful western scenes. His use of color, and shape within his paintings, made one feel as though they were in the painting. As a design student, I could appreciate the time and effort put into his work. It was clearly one of, if not the one, exhibit that served as a "favorite." It amazes me how much one can learn, and feel from another designers concepts, and ideas! I really enjoyed my day.


(http://www.mchenrymansion.org/mm_images/Musuem2004.jpg)

A Letter From Korea

As I sat and reviewed what I saw yesterday at the design museum at UC Davis, I realized that a designer's message is everywhere in society. The slightest image can make a huge statement to its audience. Even when one may not be able to completely understand the design, the idea that it leaves with the audience, speaks greatly about the designer. With that in mind, one particular design has been running circles in my mind. It is a piece done by Phil Choo, entitled A letter from Korea. The design is a digital piece printed on canvas. The print is very simple, and only involves a single letter, in the bottom left hand corner, followed by a ton of Korean Letters “pouring” out of the letter, as if it couldn’t hold any more. It spoke volumes to me, as the observer. Though I may not have been able to come up with the exact message of what the designer may have been trying to convey, I was able to formulate my own opinion about the message of the designer. When the audience is able to draw conclusions from a designer’s work, it really speaks strongly of a designer. It proves the point that even the slightest form of design, has an impact on its audience.

The Design Museum

Today I had the privilege of visiting the UC Davis Design Museum’s current exhibit, Typographic Explorations in Hangul. I was completely blown away by the talent expressed by the artists in each piece. Art pieces ranged from single words constructed into art, to pieces where the words were the art. The collection featured pieces from Hangul. All pieces were done in native text, which also heightened the interest of the pieces. One particular design that I considered to be very strong included Dream of a Swan, by Pil Choo, 2009. The image was a digital print, printed on cotton canvas. The print included typography formed in the shape of a swan. It was limited in color but was a stunning piece altogether. Though the exhibit had a lot of different pieces to offer, perhaps my most favorite was a piece done by Hyuhj Lee, entitled Formation and Emotional Impact of Hangul. From the color, to the typographic elements, every part of the piece contributed to its overall flow. It was truly a sight to see. The overall presentation of the exhibit showcased each individual piece. The pieces were arranged by different media elements. Work done on canvas opened the exhibit, followed by handmade paper pieces, and finished up with mixed media images. The presentation of the exhibit helped to highlight the hard work put in by the each individual designer.

It is always amazing to see the different interpretations of design. For these artist, they put their visions and designs into word art, which is a very different way of approaching design. The pieces created by Hyuhj Lee was a piece which demonstrated a clear picture of his design and vision, but through the use of typography. He used words to symbolize different parts, rather than using words to tell a story. The detailing of each letter acted as a vital part to his overall design process. It is interesting to see all of the different forms of design which are present in our society. It is through these designs, that our world can be considered a unique and creative atmosphere.