Assessment 2

This assessment was done in 2 stages, a 1st presentation then a 2nd refinement presentation. It again involved the development of skills in analogue and digital model making and design intent. 

I really enjoyed the challenge of the analogue component of the exercise to develop 3 abstractions of our bedroom, in relation to the concept of negative space, and to express this in 3 types of materiality. It was very worthwhile playing around and experimenting with the physical qualities of wood, metal and plastic, and understanding which ones would best construct the 3 variations. In the digital component I used VectorWorks and Rhino 4.0 to produce the elevations, sections and axonometric. This time I made a proper attempt of the 3D rendering component, initially using a combination of Rhino 4.0 and Maya with its Mental Ray renderer. However, I found Maya needlessly complicated to use, and so switched to a combination of SketchUp, 3D Studio MAX with V-Ray Plugin and Adobe Photoshop. During this time I gained a real appreciation and interest in this form of digital art.

Assessment 1

The purpose of this exercise was to depict complex realities into more abstract interpretations, around the central concept of 'negative space'(Rachel Whiteread). This would be done through the development of both analogue and digital skills.

This was a great opportunity to balance the heavy emphasis on digital skills at the institution with hand skills, getting in touch with the process of making and plaster casting. Even though my first attempt failed, a greater appreciation for the process, resulted in a successful outcome later. The 3D objects were modeled in Rhino and rendered, very poorly, in SketchUp. The elevations were produced in VectorWorks.