Advanced CAD
Instructor: Professor Ian Lynam
This semester I would jump across the pond and take classes in Japan at Temple Tokyo. I would be instructed by a world class human being & designer that thrives and operates both as an instructor in States/Japan as well as a working professional.
Project 1: Speculative UI
Prompt
Create a set of 12 highly crafted symmetrical icons using Adobe Illustrator for a speculative application of our own devising and create the user interface for that app. Use a combination of Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop to implement our icons within a minimum of 3 screens for the mobile app. The application UI will need to include a color scheme, consider typography & relevant hierarchy.
Inspiration
The Persistence of Chaos by Guo O Dong
"Some of the world’s greatest artworks are known for their elaborate backstory or complex history, but not many are actively dangerous to those who own them. ‘The Persistence of Chaos’ might be an exception. Created by internet artist Guo O Dong, this piece of art is an ordinary laptop filled with six of the world’s most dangerous pieces of malware. It’s perfectly safe — as long you don’t connect to your Wi-Fi or plug in a USB
Artist Guo O Dong says the intention behind the laptop was to make physical the abstract threats posed by the digital world.
“We have this fantasy that things that happen in computers can’t actually affect us, but this is absurd,” says Guo. “Weaponized viruses that affect power grids or public infrastructure can cause direct harm.”
The six viruses in the laptop (a 10.2-inch Samsung NC10-14GB) were chosen for the magnitude of economic damage they’ve caused."
Words by: James Vincent
Concept
Elizabeth Hurley No Brendan Fraser
"Bedazzled" Desperate to gain the affection of a beautiful co-worker, Elliot (Brendan Fraser) strikes a deal with the Devil (Elizabeth Hurley) -- a drop dead gorgeous woman with a wicked sense of humor. In exchange for Elliot's soul, she will grant him 7 wishes. But with each wish, he gets more than he asked for.
Although this concept takes a very hard left turn early from the movie, in the beginning and end of the film we are greeted by some third party individual or viewer, transparently objectifying individuals motivations and behaviors. This would be the foundation for which the project would manifest itself.
Sketch Work
Presentation
Project 2: Valley of the Cute pt.1
Prompt:
Research, Analyze and Deconstruct 15 Mascots that represent a company, team or town.
Inspiration:
Observing Japanese life through industry and culture. Having little to no experience or knowledge of Japanese companies this gave me the opportunity to learn more about how and why mascots are employ and how they can be used.
Concept:
Research through Photography
Presentation
Project 3: Valley of Cute pt.2
Prompt:
From the 15 characters found, re-illustrated, and deconstructed. Now create new characters from the old ones to depicted to convey high level themes such as food poverty, immigration, or violence.
Inspiration:
Jim Henson's Imagination. Having a pivotal role in molding the minds of generations across The US, his ability to convey high level topics through the use of palatable children toys is genuis and can still be admired to this day.
Presentation
Project 4: Zine
Prompt:
Create a discourse in the form of your choosing through deliberate, thoughtful and intentional research.
Inspiration:
The work of Dori Tunstall's "Decolonizing Design" has been a pivotal opening towards creating a spectrum of design that includes but is not limited to indigenous design, acknowledgment of systemic European structure and to wrestle with the problems of our contemporary industry.
Concept
Create a discourse surrounding the teaching methods and practices of Philadelphia University's Design Program which incorporated Industrial, Textile and Fashion Design.
