Website Redesign: Portfolio

This project was my first stab at web design and I must admit, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. We were assigned to redesign a website and I chose to do this portfolio website, but it turns out I was unable to make it more presentable than I wanted to. Through the process, I learned a lot using Dreamweaver and CSS, however, I still have a lot more to learn about the programs. I hope to take my website to the next level in the future and complete it in a way I feel is appealing after brushing up on my Dreamweaver skills, but for now this basic site functions for what it needs to.

Concept Map: Crime Scene Investigation

The Concept map project was one in which we had to use info-graphics and mapping out of terms to create a logical flow of a specific topic. I chose Crime Scene Investigation, more specifically the evidence analysis portion of CSI and created a mind map of all possible outcomes for evidence at the scene of a crime. I also created info-graphics to represent some significant statistics about the subject. This required much critical thinking and organization as a designer to logically organize terms in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

A Field Guide to Local Coffee Shops

For this assignment we were to create a field guide that could be used in the field of the particular subject matter we chose. I decided to make a field guide about local coffee shops in Austin and decided to expand my focus to all areas of Austin. I researched 15 local coffee shops and decided that the way to make the guide most useful was to insert coffee cup sleeves and to customize them to each shop. The guide gives detailed information that one would like to know about the shop and also leaves an area for personal note taking.

TASA Booklet: Art & Community 2012

This project began as a secret as to what the whole purpose of it was and later revealed itself the need to be a pamphlet for a conference taking place at St. Edward's in the future. The purpose was to create a pocket guide pamphlet including all fo the given information for the TASA Art & Community design conference. We were required to read through, organize and design the pamphlet from scratch in the way we saw most efficient and cost effective. I created a spiral bound, tabbed pamphlet that gave short descriptions of each section, a brief bio section about speakers and maps at the back for tourists who are unfamiliar with Austin.

Identity Series: Blanton Museum of Art

We were given the task of creating a series of buttons for the Blanton Museum of Art for the weeks that the gallery exhibition was open. I designated each set of buttons to a different theme within the Arts & Crafts movement. Week 1 focused on typography, week 2 was complex flora pattern designs, week 3 book design and week 4 was simple flora & fauna pattern designs. Depending on which week a member came to the exhibition, determined which button they would receive upon entering since the buttons changed each week.

The Kitchen of Meaning

The Kitchen of Meaning project aims to have the designer visually design a chosen word. I had the word Mnemonics: any learning technique that aids memory. I tried to visually represent the word by using "chunking" a learning technique which groups items into three's. The word "mnemonics" is chunked into groups of three to help better understand it's meaning and purpose. The smaller head figure is sad because it is connected to a long series of words, "The Kitchen of Meaning." The larger head is smiling because it is connected to the chunked word "mnemonics." This was a very difficult assignment for me because I had to visually represent a definition, something very abstract.

Instructional Design: How to Tie a Shoe

For this project we were to to choose a common task that most people know how to do and had to create a "how to" instructional manual for that task. We could use words and images to explain the instructions in any format that we chose. These instruction manuals were to be aesthetically pleasing, as opposed to those that we normally see in everyday life. For my instructions, I chose "How to Tie a Shoe." I created a children's book since that age group would seem to have the most benefit from it. It is not only a book that can be read, but can also be interacted with as well so the child could follow along.

Personal Geography - Cognitive Map

For this map we were to show what we think about from the time we wake up in the morning until the time we get to our first class of the day. The icons showcase what I am specifically thinking about. The size of the icon bubble shows the prominence of the thought. The width of the band shows the length of time the thought takes place. The color corresponds to what category of thought I am thinking. I struggled with this map a bit because I had a hard time making it conceptually pleasing while keeping in mind the layout. I was more interested in the graphics and at times got away from the purpose of the map itself. This is completely different from my original idea for the map, however, I turned this one in for the final critique and was happy with it.

Personal Geography - Perceptual Map

For the Perceptual map portion of the personal geography project, we were to show what we encounter with our five senses on our way to class. I showed what I see, smell, touch, hear and taste from the time I wake up at 8:00 until the time I get to class at 9:00. I used the icons to represent each sense and what it corresponds to, and the lines and spacing of icons to show duration. This was my favorite of the three maps because it was the one that most clearly represents my journey from waking up to going to my first class. I also really enjoyed it because I was able to become very familiar with Adobe Illustrator from vectorizing all of the icons.

Personal Geography - Artifact Map

(Revised)

(Original)

For this series of projects we were to design maps that illustrate our journey to school, specifically to our first class. For the artifact map we were to show our route and what we would see along the way. In my case I included the buildings I walk by on my way to class. I highlighted my path, included only the necessary buildings I pass by and showed other side walks and roads that are on the way. The icons indicate what each building is. I revised this map because after looking at it later on I was unhappy with the original and because I lost the file for the original. In the revised version I made the icons more visible, enhanced the colors and made my path more evident.

Scales Project

For the Scales project we were to create images that answered a series of questions from Paul Thek's "Teaching Notes: 4-Dimensional Design." We were to create these images using a variety of different styles such as Russian Constructivism, Swiss International Design, tactile methods and Pop-art. For the beginning we were to produce as many collages as possible and carry that through for the remainder of the project. The main goal was quantity over quality, therefore we ended up with many different images. I had trouble grasping Russian Constructivism and Swiss International style, however, I really enjoyed the tactile and pop-art portions.