Friday, October 28, 2011

personal thumbnails

thumbnails for signage proposal...


personal blog: caitlynwhisenant.blogspot.com

My Contribution

My Contribution was put on my personal blog on Tuesday:


As you know, my group's concept is to focus on political and social influences on couches/sofas in the 20th century. So far, we have worked very well as a group. Everyone has had an equal voice and everyone has contributed. I am a part of the artifacts group. My group and I have compiled to different sofas we want to use as well as tie the history of them to our concept as well. I decided to be apart of this group because it has always been an interest of mine in history of design classes to figure out the influence of certain design characteristics. I am good at researching and digging deep to connect the influence to the piece of furniture or whatever it may be. I think I can relate the information and connection of the two in a way non-designers would understand. As for coming up with our concept and the way we'll approach things, it really has been a group effort. Every person has contributed ideas and concepts that has lead us to the next thing. For our recent proposal, everyone was e-mailed and given the opportunity to change it or suggest things. Even though we have separate groups, we do not work completely separate. I have enjoyed being able to work with non-majors and 2nd year students. It has been a breathe of fresh air to have new minds to bounce ideas off of.

Thumbnail.

This is my thumbnail idea for our exhibit. It shows the variety of couches with clear differences just like the ones we plan on showing in our exhibit.

Design by: Michelle Baulieu
Blog: http://miss-emelbee.blogspot.com/

Thumbnails

Thumbnails
When I thought of thumbnails for the signage I thought of what factors would play in. I instantly thought about the patterns of the couched. I thought it would be interesting for the signage to relate to the couches that oppose.

Images are not uploading to this blog. They can be found at:

Monday, October 24, 2011

Contributions- Ashley Bennett

My contributions to this group is being a part of the proposal group. As having this role, I plan to contribute my time by researching more on our concept, writing and editing the groups proposal, and help the other groups with artifact choosing and graphics ideas. I also plan to help my group communicate with one another and to help inform the others in my group on what we discuss and are doing.

My Idea for a sign would be to have a long rectilinear sign that is visible from far away. It would have several patterns fading into the next showing the 8 or so we decide to use. In the graphics ideas, i also think we should have signs directing people through the space by how we want them to take it in. I think we should also have individual signs at each artifact explaining how that pattern came to be and was chosen. Each of these signs would have the same pattern on it as the one on the big sign that represents that artifact.

my contribution

my role in the [i]lounge group lies in graphics and signage. to come up with our proposal much brainstorming had to occur. our group had to think about location (gatewood building), signage (banners outside to draw people in and on the glass wall to tell them what's there), and way finding in the space. i've contributed in helping the group get together and figure out our exhibit as well as making the blog and sending out the url to everyone. i've also talked with ayten and daniel about what the space will look like and the graphics going into it. from here we need to talk more about a statement that describes our exhibit, specific graphics that will be displayed on the signage (we were thinking about silhouettes of the artifacts), fonts that coincide with the look and feel of the exhibit, and the way finding on the floor (enough contrast to stand out but not too much to set it apart from the exhibit). for me, the main part right now is getting together with my group and discussing all of these elements and moving forward from here. i've had to play some catch up due to conflicting schedule details but from here on out i am 100% plugged in!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

proposal and signage


Proposal Group Members: Ashley Bennett, Sangui Qu, Randi Tollner
Development of the Concept: As our group was first given the task of coming up with a concept of showing some form of historical design, we immediately thought about the things found in every home. We also thought about what most people have, yet take for granted. Some of the group members mentioned how we could talk about how the style of the home changes with time. For example, how colors changed from bright and bold tones of yellow and oranges of the 70s to a more muted natural look today. In trying to relate this idea of style change to a type of furniture found in the home, we thought about how patterns on couches as well as its style has changed over time. Other ideas were also thought about during this meeting such as table designs over the time span as well as seating change through different countries. However, we decided to fully devote ourselves to focusing our research on the evolution of the styles of couches through changes of pattern, upholstery, and shape used. Through this concept we would be able to look at several factors that changes style throughout time: color, textures, materials, movements, shape, etc. By choosing this concept and by researching these variables that effect couches we would not only learn about how the shape and patterns on couches change, but the many different factors and design elements that cause that change. We're not focusing on the specific time frame in which it changed, but rather the specific causes that make that change. These changes could be movements, political event, etc.
What will make this concept interesting to others is that people will be able to begin to understand why pattern and shape changes in couches occur. It is in fact, not that someone just thought of something new, but the many small factors that make it happen. People will no longer glance over the change and accept it easily, but may start to contemplate its origins.

Artifacts Group Members: Michelle Baulieu, Caitlyn Whisenant, Sarah Wisseman, Cory Odell

Objects included in the exhibit:

1930's Billy Baldwin sofa
Designer Billy Baldwin felt that the couch was the foundation of any room. It felt that furniture had to many legs and it made rooms feel very anxious and that they made a room feel unsettled. This style is still very popular today because it is so simple and timeless in it’s design. It was very common for this couch to be white, today this style can be found in an array of colors.

1930 Marcel Breuer

1937 Salvador Dali Mae West Lips sofa
Mae West lips couch is a piece that was created in 1937 by surrealist artist Salvador Dali. He found her lips to be very captivating and created a furniture/conceptual piece based upon them. It was a true fusion of art and furniture and was a groundbreaking concept of making a couch just as much a piece of art as it was a functional piece of interior furniture.

1940 Charles and Ray Eames
1948 George Nelson

The 1960s were all about free love, flower power and pop music but, as the saying goes, if you remember it, you weren't there. The previous decade's love of American design was replaced, as London became what was popular and things were “groovy”. The furniture basically shows how America decided to “let loose”. The idea of comfort was lost, and whatever was colorful and “loud” was brought in! Art nouveau was an influence with the whiplash lines and stylized flower shapes. Space age furniture, such as capsule and pod furniture were popular. Ornamental items were brought back from India and Morocco.

Furniture from the 1970s reflected a change from bright and funky furnishings that were omnipresent in the 1960s.The bright patterns were popular in the 60’s because it was a party era. Drugs, music, woodstock, war, etc. were all affecting society. The 70’s brought a change and society calmed down. In the early 1970s, patterned couches were still present, but earth tones were introduced in every home, but as the decade progressed, homes became more sleek and modern. Lower styles of furniture were introduced and the horizontal aspect was more of an influence. Popular colors to use when decorating were white, chrome, black and brown. The upholstery manufacturing returned to a more natural, sometimes handmade, aspect as people in society were returning to nature.

Sources for information:
1) http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/billy-baldwin-collection
2) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3604018/Object-of-the-week-the-Mae-West-lip-sofa.html
3) http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=4098
4) http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Eames-Sofa-Compact
5) http://3dnews.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/modern-sofa-daybed-  furniture-design/
6) http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/design/period_1960s.shtml#influences
     http://www.vintagelooks.com/detail.asp?product_id=hw-9812
7) http://www.vintagelooks.com/detail.asp?product_id=hw-9546
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s_in_furniture


Graphics Group: Daniel Salgado, Ayten Nadeau, Anna Hambly

Signage Proposal:
       Possible 36x24 banners placed strategically outside for the visitors to see      
       Two 30x20 posters will be placed on the glass wall of the Gatewood building
       The posters would include one of the silhouettes of our artifacts
       The posters will include a quote that defines our exhibition
       Fonts for the banners, posters, postcard, and the floor graphics will be chosen    based on the entire artifacts collection
       6x4 exhibition program postcards will be available for visitors
       The individual signage for the artifacts will be made out of acrylic stands
       The signs for the artifacts will include the name of the designer and/or the stylistic period, year, location, size, and a brief description of the couches.
       The floor will be utilized for a creating a way-finding path
       The floor graphic will contain historical data
       The floor graphic will have enough contrast to make it easy to notice
•   The exhibition will be advertised throughout the community with flyers, on UNCG’s homepage, and through social media.


my contribution

My contribution to this project thus far, is dealing with the artifacts that will be in the exhibit. We have all been working together to narrow down ideas and thoughts, and developing a concept that would be ideal for an exhibit. After the initial proposal turn in, we regrouped to discuss any changes or new ideas that needed to be taken into account when rewriting the proposal and looking further into artifacts and signage. Along with the other artifact member, I have been doing research on couches and we have decided to focus on couches that were designed within the twentieth century by American designers. Our next steps are to continue research on potential couches that could be a part of the exhibit.

My contribution

I'm in the proposal group of this project, and my contribution is to come up with the idea with other members in our group what we should focus on and try to write the new proposal.
Also I have done some brainstorming to think about the way to hold the exhibit and the signage. What I think is maybe we can combine the exhibit with the weather. For instance, like gothic furniture, what the feeling they give is serious, mysterious and gloomy, so may be we can put the exhibit in the rainy day to enhance this feeling. As for signage, I think maybe we can make the exhibit look like a book about the evolution of couches. For example, the guide system of the exhibit may be just like the content of a book. We can put paper on the ground and make it just like the paper in the book. The page number will guide the observers to enjoy the exhibit. All of the items will be shown on the paper which represents the page of the book, and the only difference is in the book the images are 2-dimensional, whereas in the exhibition is 3-dimensional. As we know, there are always some quotes in a book, so maybe we can just put some marks on the item that we want to show as the annotations, and put the explaination on the paper right below the items. These quotes maybe the influences of movements, political events etc. Here is my blog's link: http://sangniqu.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-contribution.html

Helping Hands.

I am apart of the proposal group of [i]lounge. I have been contributing by taking all the ideas of the group bringing them all together. The proposal has been our group of portraying our ideas. I have been helping to properly portray our ideas. In the initial proposal we had the idea of patterned couches through time. So we gathered the thoughts of the group and presented them. On our next proposal we changed the thought to couches in the twentieth century. The next step was to gather the thoughts of the group to present them again.


Thumbnails
When I thought of thumbnails for the signage I thought of what factors would play in. I instantly thought about the patterns of the couched. I thought it would be interesting for the signage to relate to the couches that oppose.

Images are not uploading to this blog. They can be found at:
http://randisdesignblog.blogspot.com/


My contribution to [I] Lounge

For the exhibition of the twentieth century American sofas for the [I] Lounge group, my contribution was to the signage and graphics groups. First, I researched some graphics and went back to my exhibition precedent blog post to revisit the information.
I organized the graphics with the same way a visitor will experience our exhibition. First, two large 36x24 banners will be posted in front of Gatewood building to draw attention to the exhibition. In addition, two 30x20 posters with a silhouette of a couch will be placed on the glass wall giving the visitors a glimpse about the event.
Also, floor graphics with enough contrast will be utilized as a means of way finding and depict the timeline of the artifacts. I also suggested that we provide 6x4 postcards for the visitors as a program.

Once all our artifacts are selected, my graphics group and I will determine the font style of our graphics, scale, and color selection in order to provide emphasis, rhythm, balance, unity, and proportion to our exhibition.
Each individual artifact will have an acrylic stand which will provide the name of artifact, designer, location, time and/or stylistic period, and a brief description.
Lastly, the exhibition will be properly advertised throughout the community with fliers, UNCG's homepage, and through social media.

My Part

I added the two sofa's by designer Billy Baldwin and artist Salvador Dali. I felt that these were two very interesting pieces that came from two completely opposite ideals. Baldwin felt the sofa needed to be elegant, practical, timeless, and be the central piece in a room. Dali was an artist and designed a piece that was more a conceptual work of art then a piece of furniture. Both of these ideas went on to inspire many changes in the world of couches and sofas, and interiors overall. I feel these are very important pieces to add in the scheme of 20th century sofas. They are major players in changes to come.

My contribution

My contribution for this proposal was the graphics for the posters and also brainstorming with other group members about what other possible signage. As a group we came up with several ideas for advertising this exhibition by means of graphics and text. One of our main goals now is to try to have a title for this exhibit. With a concept in mind as a group, we will try to come up with a quote to describe the exhibit as well. This will help with the graphics by narrowing down the look of it. As of right now it is my role is mostly to be a team player and communicate and receive feedback about some of the thumbnails already sent.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Anthony Caro on the roof




the schulpures of Anthony Caro are featured on a roof top exhibit in New York. What I thought was most interesting about the exhibit was the sky line in the background. The skyline is primarily gray, blue and white. The exhibit features bright or bold colors which instantly draw your eye to the sculptures.

precedent study: YOU! the experience: caitlyn whisenant

at the museum of science and industry the "YOU! the experience" exhibit examines and celebrates the experience of life itself. the interactive exhibit focuses on personal choices, an individuals personality, and individuals environments. the exhibit is broken up into side categories such as "your mind," "your beginning,"your appetite," etc. i was very intrigued by the sub-exhibit, "your movement."  there is a virtual coach that displays an individuals actual movements onto a colorful display. i think its great how the exhibit makes it fun to learn about an individuals self. it is an enjoyable experience for kids to be active and involved while they learn.





YOU! the experience

Exibition Precendent Study







The exhibition of Oceanic Art at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in NYC features sculpture and decorative arts from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. The exhibition is very successful in organizing the galleries by region and numbering the galleries for easy understanding. The windows, light, blue color, sculpture displayed on the ceiling and throughout the floor draws the visitor into the space. The natural light allows the visitor to experience the artifacts the way they would be in their natural habitat. The entire exhibition gives a sense of simplicity calmness, and airiness reminiscent of the islands. Some of the artifacts are featured in clear white display cases while others are displayed openly throughout the gallery. The free-standing artifacts allows the visitors to have a 360 degree view.



http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/new-installations/galleries-for-oceanic-art

national gallery of art east wing

our studio recently took a trip to dc and went to various museums. one of my favorites was the national gallery of art's east wing building. it housed tons of modern art pieces. it was very open and exciting and really drew visitors in. i liked some of the displays that let the visitor walk around the piece completely and experience it from all sides.



photos taken by me

the newseum

I found the Newseum to be a very appealing museum. It is very visitor friendly and successfully creates interest and informs the visitor
The lobby space is open and provides a clear circulation pattern
My favorite exhibits in the museum were the Berlin wall exhibit and the photography through the decades exhibit. Both made me feel the impact of the events displayed and did a wonderful job of creating intrigue. I would go back to this museum any day. 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Looking @ an Exhibit

On my recent trip to Washington DC I visited the Asian Art at the Freer Sackler Gallery. This was my favorite museum to visit. I enjoyed the fact that all of the exhibits featured items through Asian history that were mostly everyday goods like furniture, pottery, and household art pieces. Just like our exhibit focuses on the idea of the everyday history and design of the common couch.

I like how the colors of the exhibits were very neutral and it allowed for the pieces to be the interesting and eye catching in each of the rooms. I also like how even when entering the lobby of the space, they had pieces of modern art that reflected Asian art traditions. I think this idea could work in our exhibit, by allowing couch seating for viewers, and have some of the pieces hands on if you will, but also a functional part in the overall exhibit viewing experience.

precedent study: Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity:Sangni Qu






When looking for exhibitions, I was totally impressed by Lee Ufan's art works. The exhibition held in Guggenheim Museum of New York is about Marking Infinity, which is organized to reflect Lee’s method of working in iterative series and spans the 1960s to the present.Lee’s sculptures, presenting dispersed arrangements of stones together with industrial materials like steel plates, rubber sheets, and glass panes, recast the object as a network of relations based on parity among the viewer, materials, and site. Looking at the pictures above, the way he used light, materials and the spatial distribution he designed all present a beauty of static state. Associated with our project, this won't be a bad idea to present the exhibition. Using light and spatial contrast to make a space, we can easily guide others to follow the exhibition which will lead to a better understanding of our work.


Patterned "Seating"

Here are two examples that I thought were interesting. The first one is a William and Mary Wing Settee, and the other is a Georgian Sofa that more of a chippendale-style. Both patterns are the main focus of the seats.

Precedent Exhibition Alexander Mcqueen

The Metropolitan Museum did an interesting job in exhibiting Alexander Mcqueen: Savage Beauty. The presentations of the garments are not overwhelmed by the "interiors" that each are placed within. The garments become an celebrated form and the only focus throughout the exhibit. Just the contrast of a single colored or covered surface in the background allows the pieces to pop and allow the viewer to only focus on the detail of the garments or work of art depending on how one would view them. I am not sure how the exhibit is set up for people to navigate within it, and not so sure if there are plaques that describe the work. However, does a piece of work, wither it be furniture or garments, need something to explain it? or is it up to the viewer to interpret the piece for themselves. For more images check out the link.





Precedent Study: Anthony Caro on the Roof at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ashley Bennett

In looking at exhibits, I became drawn to this particular exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Anthony Caro on the Roof exhibit is an outdoors exhibit of course placed on a roof top. The city view can be seen all around and adds to this exhibit to make it so grand. It is like the Backdrop of the exhibit. I feel the buildings help add to the verticality and curvature forms of the sculptures. The sculptures are placed within one set area, but set off from one another so that each piece can be observed and looked at a 360 degree view. It allows people to walk all around the sculptures as well as interact with it. They also have seating placed along the perimeter of the space facing the sculptures so people may sit and look at the sculptures beauty. The information for the sculptures are placed along the perimeter walling. Our group has discussed possibly putting our exhibit in an outdoor/rooftop kind of atmosphere and how that might play into our concept. So when I saw this exhibit I knew it was perfect to talk about. It shows us how someone has looked at the outdoors for an exhibit and how placement was made. There is not just sculptures lined up to each other, but rather placed separately onto one surface.

Analyzing an exhibit.

Immediately, when we were assigned to analyze an exhibit, MOMA was the first thing that came to mind. This particualr one stuck out to me because it has to do with furniture, just like our current assignment. I think the display of these peices communicates well to the public about the use of these items and how they interact with others. Their graphics and use of different furniture puts them how they would be in an actual room which reaches the public on a more personal level. The descriptions of these peices are then placed directly out from them and are easy to know which description is connected to what peice.

Michelle Baulieu

Sofa's from the Centuries

Matrix, by Karim Rashid for Meritalia

Floral, baroque, folk, retro - ornaments are triumphantly back. In a new, modern, revamped version. Designers rediscovered the undeniable decorative power of all types of patterns and use advanced technologies to apply it in a new, creative way.
 
Time: Modern
 
Asymettrical, Floral, Nature inspired, Feminine: Time- Rococo
 
Victorians believed that success was in excess and this can be seen in all forms of the period’s art including fashion, jewelry, décor and furniture. The styles are often viewed as eccentric and rooms in a home were filled with furniture and other forms of décor to the point of appearing crowded. Victorian pieces were very ornate in design and furniture such as chairs, ottomans and love seats were densely stuffed and plump.

Time: Victorian

Link


Gathered by: Michelle Baulieu