Archive for February, 2011

Assignment

Create a presentation quality drawing of a room using an isometric view.

Media: Ink, Art Pencils and Markers

Process:

1. On a piece of paper (drawing or trace), draw an isometric rectangle (30º angle from horizontal) that is 25′-0″ wide by 26′-0″ long at 3/8″ = 1′-0″ scale. Divide the rectangle into a grid with 1′-0″ x 1′-0″ squares.

2. Overlay the isometric grid with tracing paper and, using the floor plan provided for reference, draft an isometric view of the floor plan. Use the reference points and grid to begin and include the walls, windows and door as shown. Be sure to position the platform and step on the grid as well (this will be on the same plane as the floor plan at this point).

3. Place the furnishings and accessories in the isometric view according to the position on the reference floor plan grid. Remember all areas of the drawing are at 3/8″ = 1′-0″ scale.

4. Build the interior walls up to a ceiling height of 9′-6″ on the back window wall and the fireplace/bookcase wall. (Do not draw a grid on the walls.) Locate and draw the windows on the back wall.

5. Build the furnishings and platform up in height (see Standard Heights below) in isometric view. This is accomplished by using a 30º triangle against a t-square to establish positions along axial lines. Furnishings in the foreground should be drawn first as they will obscure some elements in the background.

6. Finalize the isometric view with window treatments, art/accessories on the walls, books/collectibles within the cases, tabletop and mantel items, and upholstered furniture materials.

7. Create a final inked drawing on marker paper and render with marker and colored pencil. Mounting TBD.

Standard Heights:

• 30″ – Table on platform
• 18″ – All seat heights
• 38″-42″ – Dining chair heights
• 33″ – Back and arm of chaise
• 30″ – Firebox opening
• 42″ (min) – Mantle over fireplace w/lower edge (may be higher for design purposes)
• 36″ – Back of sectional
• 6″ – Step risers
• 30″ – Bookcase base (includes standard toe space)

Other important aspects: Be sure the size, proportion and placement of the art, plants and accessories is appropriate for balance. Remember circles in isometric view are ellipses, so use an ellipse template.

Methodology references in course text:

Sky (pg. 211), shading a tree (pg. 184, 198-200), city scape view (pg. 201-202), lighting (pg. 114+), books (pg. 101), wicker furniture (pg. 97), leather furniture (pg. 95), wall details (pg. 80-81), shadows (pg. 70-75).

Schedule + Deadline

• Tues., Feb. 22: Isometric drawings explained, Project introduced
• Thurs., Feb. 24: Draft isometric grid and floor plan, Draft back walls, windows, fireplace and bookcases, begin drafting furnishings in isometric viewDraft furnishings in isometric view with detail specific to style
• Tues., Mar. 1: Drafting of back walls, windows, fireplace and bookcases should be complete, Begin drafting furnishings.
• Thurs., Mar. 3: Introduce rendering with art markers, Begin final inked drawing on marker paper
• Tues., Mar. 8: Rendering with marker and pencil
• Thurs., Mar. 10: Rendering
• Fri., Mar. 11: Project Due by 5 p.m. (critique during class following  Spring Break)
  

Click here to view Student Examples

Overview

This project continues the exploration of different types of brandmarks, specifically those that incorporate the brand name in their creation. The challenge, besides designing a visually striking brandmark, is to discern which type of mark is most effective for the client. The following list describes each type of brandmark to be considered for this project. Here’s a good online resource with examples of each.

A Wordmark (or logotype) is a freestanding word or words. It may be a company name or an acronym. The best wordmarks imbue a legible word(s) with distinctive font characteristics, and may integrate abstract elements or pictorial elements. The distinctive tilted “E” in “Dell” activates and strengthens the one-syllable name. The IBM acronym has transcended enormous technological change in its industry. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 54-55 (also see pg. 126 for logotype definition)

A Pictorial Mark uses a literal and recognizable image. The image itself may allude to the name of the company or its mission, or it may be symbolic of a brand attribute. The eagle of the U.S. Postal Service is both a symbol of America and a symbol of speed and dependability. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 58-59

An Abstract Mark uses visual form to convey a big idea or a brand attribute. These marks, by their nature, can provide strategic ambiguity, and work effectively for large companies with numerous and unrelated divisions. Abstract marks are especially effective for service-based and technology companies; however, they are extremely difficult to design well. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 60-61

A Signature is the specific and nonnegotiable designed combination of the brandmark (symbol) and logotype. The best signatures have specific isolation zones to protect their presence. A company may have numerous signatures, for various business lines or with and without a tagline. –Designing Brand Identity, pg. 50

Emblems are trademarks featuring a pictorial element inextricably connected to the name of the organization. The elements are never isolated. Emblems look terrific on a package, as a sign, or as an embroidered patch on a uniform. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 62-63

Objectives:

• Investigate the use of words and symbols to communicate meaning
• Understand different types of brandmarks and their distinctive characteristics
• Explore the relationship between a name and its symbolic representation
• Increase typographic skills (letter spacing, word spacing, leading, scale, proportion, etc.)
• Continue to explore the use of figure/ground to distill information
• Utilize color as a stimulus for brand recognition
• Develop design process
• Refine drawing skills as an integral part of design thinking
• Increase proficiency of using software to manipulate and integrate type with objects

Assignment

Step 1: Choose one client from either the birds or bees category.

Birds (backyard/mobile chicken coops):

1. Chicken Cribs
2. Eglu
3. Breed Retreat
4. Nogg
5. Coop Dreams

Step 4: Start Designing! (You’ve probably already started this by now.) Project requirements are as follows:

Process:

• Inspiration
• Sketches (15 min. for each mark)
• Rough comps (one for each mark, black & white)
• Reading: Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 50, 54-55, 58-63, 124-133
• Writing: 1 blog post and 2 comments (see writing requirements)

Product:

• Design two different marks
  • The marks must be of different types (wordmark/logotype, signature or emblem). Do not create two marks of the same type.
  • Pictorial or abstract marks must be used with the company/product name (logotype or wordmark)
• Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark.

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

• Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
• Matboard size (for each mark): 21″ x 12″ (landscape orientation)
• Place 8″ x 8″ b&w mark on the left and 8″ x 8″ color mark on the right
• 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
• Put your name on the back of each matboard
• Create a sheet with marks at three different sizes. We will discuss this more later.

Process Documentation:

• Inspiration posted to the discussion blog.
• Place photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark) in a report binder with your name on it.

Digital Files:

Combine all marks into a single PDF* and upload to the class dropbox in the myACU files system.

*prefix file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_brandmark 2.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

• Fri., Feb. 17: Discuss types of brand marks, Introduce project
• Mon., Feb. 20: Post inspiration to discussion blog. (Make sure to label the type of mark – wordmark, pictorial mark, abstract mark or emblem)
• Wed., Feb. 22: Work day
• Fri., Feb. 24: Rough comps due, Critique
• Mon., Feb. 27: Color palette selected
• Wed., Feb. 29: Work day
• Fri., Mar 2: Final presentation/critique, blog post due by class
• Mon., Mar 5: Turn in all deliverables, blog comments due by class

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria.

Resources

Student Examples

• Wordmarks
• Pictorial Marks
• Abstract Marks
• Signatures + Emblems

Goals

• Render fabrics, furnishings and surfaces to represent true color, texture, style, and three-dimensionality
• Refine precision and neatness in drawing
• Develop writing skills related to design concepts
• Develop time management skills

Assignment

Produce rendered orthographic views of a residential living room floor plan and its corresponding elevations. Arrange the five drawings on a single drawing sheet for presentation or create a model.

Media: Black ink, colored art pencil, graphite

Design Requirements:

• Select one of the floor plans provided for your project. Each is at 1/4″ = 1′-0″ scale with the interior dimensions of 24′-6″ x 18′-0″. The interior walls are drawn with a 5″ thickness and the exterior walls (on two sides) represent a brick veneer.
• Elevations should have a minimum ceiling height of 9′-0″.
• Design a ceiling that is not flat. It should have a distinctive profile (such as a vault, shed, cove, etc.).
• Indicate a significant area of windows on the exterior walls (should not be small windows).
• Arrange furnishings and accessories as desired. Do not let arranging furniture take too much time away from inking, rendering and creating the presentation layout.
• Select and collect visuals of furniture, rugs, art, accessories, etc. to be incorporated into your design. These will allow you to draw the pieces accurately and develop your attention to detail.

Drawing Requirements:

• All drawings should be completed in ink and rendered with colored art pencil.
• Include a human figure at the correct scale in two of the elevations (use entourage).
• Images for wall hung art can be used if desired.
• Final size of drawing sheet = 16″ x 20″ (horizontal or vertical orientation)

Writing Requirements:

• Write a 200 – 250 word design concept narrative. The narrative should be a clear, concise, visually descriptive “story” that describes the style and atmosphere of the space you’ve created. Think of it as a way to paint a picture with words. Use design-specific terminology.
• Start with identifying the client and location, then address their needs, concerns or requests through the solutions you are proposing.
• Do not write this in first person, or otherwise refer to the designer in your writing. Rather, place the focus on the design itself.
• Following are a few categories to consider as you craft the narrative:
  • Style + Character (motifs, features, historical references)
  • Function + Space Utilization (circulation, usability, decorative, adjacencies)
  • Materials + Finishes (walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, doors, windows)
  • Color + Lighting (scheme, hues, natural, artificial, accent, general)
  • Accessories + Accents (special objects, focal points)
  • Connection to the exterior (views, orientation)
• A template with formatting will be provided. Print and submit narrative with final drawing.

Text References:

• Scalise pages: 29, 33, 46-52, 69, 100-108, 156-165191-192, 217-219, Chapters 8, and 9
• Michael Doyle pages: 41-49; 69-71; 76-88; 95-97; 100-101; 113; 125-127; 313 (layout)
• Retrocolor Method 58-59; 289-294
• Refer to Mitton; p. 200; Color plates p. 54-63, 80, 151-156

Schedule + Deadlines

• Tues., Feb. 8: Begin project, discuss orthographic projections
• Thurs., Feb. 10: Style chosen (collect examples of furnishings and design style elements), rough draft of floor plan
• Tues., Feb. 15: Rough draft of all elevations, begin final drawings and rendering
• Thurs., Feb. 17: Rendering, blog post due
• Tues., Feb. 22: Project due at the beginning of class, critique

Student Examples (link)