Everything and nothing at all

FOUND!

Upon entering the industrial design programe as a sophomore there is about a month to develop, research, design and test a shelter that will be camped in overnight by the students.  Each group of five or so students is given a theme to work within.  The studio then explodes into a massive collection of materials and people working feverishly to have a place to sleep in the woods along the Camden waterfront.  The topic given to my group was “found.”  This being a theme up for interpretation we decided to find the materials to make our shelter.  Lucky enough for us, we all have quite an interest in dumpster diving.

We gathered a collection of material that were most readily available to us and tested them with pressure, friction and lots of water.

We decided on a heat-sealed concoction of cardboard bike boxes, clear plastic bags, old window screens and shrink wrap for pallet shipping.

The design we built is a Buckminster Fuller inspired segmented dome that folds flat and can be set up with a minimum of 2 people but holds up to 5.

The metal fraiming for the window screens is used as spikes for stability of the floor and extra support for the structure on a windy night.We also created water-proof sleeves for the spikes our of old bike tubes.  Our final product was something to be proud of and we were rewarded with a good nights sleep.

What wasted my time…

Today was a slow-motion kinda day, accompanied by the song “Luv (sic) pt. 2″ by Nujabes feat. Shing02.  The video is from YouTube.

When he was looking…

While sitting in my professional communications class I decided to draw my class mate Jesse.  He agreed to sit still for me and here is the result.  I think it’s pretty accurate accept for the one wonky eye and he seemed to really like it.

What wasted my time

I don’t really know why this is so amusing.  I think it’s his enthusiasm

courtasy of Brandon Hardesty’s Youtube Channel

When she wasn’t looking…

Being a senior in college it’s expected for one to become desperate for a long deserved vacation from school. While sitting in my anthropology class contemplating which country to run away to I noticed the girl sitting next to me. She had a great composition of lines from the way she was sitting to the way she held her bag. I hadn’t drawn a person in a long time from being so immersed in design work but I had to draw her. I’m quite amused by the result and it relieved the pressures I was feeling from being stricken with a serious case of senioritis. I’ve decided to continue these and will post them as they come. Enjoy!

Sunday observations

As a part of IDES 322 with P’unk Ave, we were all given the assignment to create a quick “day in the life” video.  I felt it would be more entertaining to create a video outside of my life as a design student.  Here are my Sunday observations.

How dirty is your studio?

It is true that having a messy workspace can be a kind of “badge of honor” for the busy artist/designer, but when it comes to sanitizing public surfaces, how gross are they?  I tried to get a wide range of surfaces for reference such as copper which is supposed to be naturally anti-bacterial, as well as the bathroom in my own home.  It makes you wonder, “Should I be buying more hand sanitizer?”

Bacteria Samples

1)Old Penny
2)New Penny
3)Home Bathroom Handle
4)Home Bathroom Flusher
5)Subway Turnstile
6)Subway Stop Handrail
7)Subway Train Handrail
8)Main Building Front Door
9)Studio Men’s Bathroom Door Handle
10)Studio Men’s Bathroom Faucet
11)Studio Men’s bathroom Flusher
12)ID Studio Elevator Button
13)ID Shop Handle
14)ID Studio Water Fountain
15)Push Lid for the Trash
16)Sotto Restaurant Bronze Handle
17)Broad St. Bank Door
18)Studio Women’s Bathroom Door
19)Studio Women’s Bathroom Faucet
20)ID studio kitchen Faucet

Instructables

I decided to renovate my old particleboard and paper veneer book shelf for an Instructables project for IDES 322 Techniques.  The renovation process is simple and cost efficient. Anyone can follow these steps (considering you know how to hammer and measure) to bring life to an old bookshelf.  Enjoy!

1) Select a shelf to work with

2) Measure first! Then choose materials, supplies, color and theme

3) Cut the pieces and hold them in position to make sure they fit. If necessary, sand the pieces down.

4) Use the smallest amount of Gorilla Glue on the surfaces and then nail the trim into place.

5) Take the piece to a ventilated area and get painting!

6) If you decide to do a two tone paint job like I did then tape off the areas you have already painted and do the next color.

7) Let the piece dry for at least one day in a well ventilated area and then decorate!