Silly Sylvie

robots!

2011-10-26T04:23:00.001-07:00

Just some quick doodles of robots.

Vote for my design on Threadless!!

2011-07-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I have a design up on Threadless for a Threadless Loves Patterns competition...

I'd be super happy if you went to the site and gave it a 5! :)

....and more characters!

2011-07-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

More character concepts for the webcomic I am working on with my boyfriendddd.... :)

more character concepts

2011-06-24T14:29:00.001-07:00

Concept art

2011-06-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

Starting some concept work on a project with a writer friend...I won't go into details because that's not mine to reveal, but the direction for girl is a "scenester, kinda emo chick. The girl every indie guy wants to date and then realizes is a total biatch." The guy, a "doesn't-give-a-crap rocker type, a-la Julian Casablancas from the Strokes."

I like the way the guy is looking, especially...probably cause I like drawing guys a lot more than girls! :)

Sunny Days and Lemonades

2011-05-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

Some quick artwork I did for a mix CD for a friend...

faces

2011-05-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

I could draw faces all day.

New Ukulele Cover

2011-04-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

Its been a while, friends. Here is a new cover.

Hong Kong/China 2011

2011-03-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

The past couple of weeks I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and China for my employer, Kids II. There I had the opportunity to meet our Hong Kong/China teams and tour a few factories and get a look at how a product goes from design to production. Needless to say I learned a lot and had a great time exploring Hong Kong!

Here is a compilation of a few videos I took on my journeys!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-15T18:40:00.000-08:00

Posting this a day late, but here is a little Valentine I doodled of myself and my guinea pig, Poppy!

Hedgehog!

2011-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

I started taking a ceramics class here in Atlanta about three weeks ago, and I am really enjoying it so far! Here is my first truly successful project...I originally designed it as a pencil holder, but I think it makes quite a cute vase for dried flowers/twigs/pussywillow as well!

Trylvia-5 Years Time: Noah and the Whale

2011-01-31T19:16:00.002-08:00

more of "The Alchemist's Heart"

2010-12-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more selected drawings from "The Alchemist's Heart." Hopefully I will have some images of the final book to post shortly! There are a lot more images than this, but these are my few favorites. I didn't get to spend as much time on these as I would like to, but I think they still turned out pretty nicely considering! Thank you, art school, for forcing me to draw quickly!

busy busy busy!

2010-12-07T19:17:00.000-08:00

Wow, I feel like this week my hand might as well be glued to a pen! (or wacom!) Besides sketching a lot at work, I have been illustrating a story written by Andy for his friend who is binding it all together for a bookbinding class project! Here are a few of the drawings so far... eventually I will hopefully have pictures of it all put together as a book! I like how this is turning out, its been a while since I have drawn in anything other than sketchbook pro!

Alphabeastiary-Bush Dai-Dai

2010-11-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

My submission for the letter B on Alphabeastiary: the Bush Dai-Dai.

This obscure monster hails from the jungles of Guyana in South America and has its roots in Caribbean folklore.

The Bush Dai Dai will take the form of a beautiful woman and appear to travelers or in miner’s camps, and seduce a weak man she might take a fancy to. After having her way with the unfortunate she will change into a wild animal and eat her victim as they sleep. She is a mixture of the succubus myth with a dash of werewolf thrown in for good measure.

Alphabeastiary: Angha

2010-10-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Alphabeastiary is a bi-weekly art challenge blog that I will be contributing to! Each week, a new mythical creature is posted and we are to submit our original takes on the creature. Eventually, we will make it through the whole alphabet! The first creature is an Angha, which has the head of a dog, feet of a lion, and peacock tail and wings.

Here is my submission! Check out the rest of the blog for other cool entries!

sloth

2010-10-06T18:26:00.001-07:00

a doodle for a friend.

Today's project: Comic Book Coasters

2010-10-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

I got a new table that is wood, so therefore, I needed coasters! Someone gave me a bunch of old comic books, so I went through them, found some cool panels, and decoupaged them to cork board to make my own coasters! I think they turned out pretty cool...but the mod podge kinda wrinkled the paper more than I would have liked. I think I will look for a new technique next time...maybe I will make more!

A detail I like...the front and back side are from the same panel, just different parts of the image.

this guy is cold.

2010-09-08T18:34:00.001-07:00

I am not cold. Still about 80-90 degrees here in Atlanta...though it feels a lot cooler than it has been!

just for fun.

2010-08-24T19:44:00.001-07:00

Some recent work

2010-08-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

Been getting into watercolor lately...having a lot of fun with it! Also seem to be into bunnies lately....

opposites attract

2010-07-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

something I have been working on for a friend. not sure if it will go anywhere after this, but I think its pretty cute...and a clever idea (I did not come up with it, he did!)

Hello from Atlanta!

2010-07-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am all moved down to Atlanta now, and have completed my first week at my new job! So far I am liking everything a lot...my apartment, the city, the people, my job....So I think its all going to work out pretty well.

Here is a doodle of a couple of faces that are polar opposites....

Trylvia - Wagon Wheel Cover

2010-07-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well folks, tomorrow I am headed down south to move into my new apartment, start my new job, and enter the REAL WORLD, as they say. Last week, Tracy and I made this Trylvia video to commemorate the event, and send me off in true Southern fashion.

See ya'll in ATL!

a few doodles...

2010-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a week!

2010-06-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

This week has been one of the biggest and most exciting weeks of my life, and its not even over yet!

Tuesday I had my last critique of my college career. It went over really well, the critiquers were really impressed with my work! Here is a picture of my final set up:

Last night was the IDSA Professional Night, where local professionals came to look at the work and hand out three awards to the top three projects. I was so surprised and excited to learn that I was awarded the gold! Congrats also to Ed Mangum and Chad Hodge for winning Bronze and Silver.

For those of you who don't know much about my project, it is called Bloomlife and it consists of a line of products and services for the burial of cremated remains. This includes a burial urn, memorial seed packets, and a burial plot where the seeds can be planted. I will probably post nicer photos later.

If you would like to see the process book for the project, click here!

Now, onto graduation (tomorrow!) and then moving to Atlanta! I can hardly believe it!

For those of you in the Cincy area, DAAPworks is up today from 9-9, and then from 12-2 tomorrow! There is a ton of amazing work from all of the graduating seniors on display, definitely worth checking out!

Up up and away!

2010-05-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

A sketch for a friend!

Sherlock Holmes

2010-05-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to watching Sherlock Holmes tonight....and then proceeded to sketch him. LOVE the costumes Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law wore...sometimes, I really wish that men wore coats like this today. Nice to take a break from the thesis and sketch something fun.

sketch

2010-05-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

A little sketch I did during "survey of film" class that I kind of liked. We watched Easy Rider, which is quite an interesting film. I mean, check out Jack Nicholson in this clip...

Trylvia: Passion Pit's Sleepyhead

2010-05-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Tracy and I made another music video. Check it out!

Thesis Development

2010-05-11T14:38:00.001-07:00

Midterm Thesis crit was today, so it is full steam ahead for the next three weeks! Click HERE to view my presentation.

Things I Like #1: Handwritten Elements

2010-05-11T13:06:00.001-07:00

Loving the use of handwritten typography in everything from packaging to stationary and illustration...

Father's Day Cards by Rifle Paper Co.

Men's Skincare Packaging by Michael K Chapman

Everything is Great/Everything Sucks by Jim Tierney

My Video for Professional Development Class

2010-05-09T10:32:00.001-07:00

Who is Sylvia Spencer? What does she design? What is she all about?

Just watch the video.... :)

Click HERE to watch!

Posted using ShareThis

doodle

2010-04-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

This is the kind of thing that usually ends up on the page when I sit down to sketch products.

Clearly, it is not a product. Heh!

Trylvia: OK Go's This Too Shall Pass

2010-04-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

Tracy and I made a music video! Check it out! We had a lot of fun doing it and hopefully we will have another for you soon....

Thesis Concepts Take 2

2010-04-20T17:09:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to a PDF of storyboards of the two concepts I have narrowed down to for thesis...

Download HERE!

Let me know what you think if you take a look...I am trying to narrow down to one concept so I can start refining ASAP!

sketch dump!

2010-04-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

Various sketches I have done lately, mostly during class or meetings. I can't resist doodling!!

Thesis Progress

2010-04-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today (in hopefully the next 45 minutes or so) I will be presenting some initial concept work for my thesis. I am still looking at the growing rate of cremation and how funeral homes can still make the same amount of money as they did on burials. I am looking specifically now at the future of the cemetery and making it a place that people might actually WANT to go to (I mean, to visit. Well, I guess to be buried there as well! But not immediately..) So here are some initial concepts and thoughts...

UC ID Seniors 2010

2010-04-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

For our capstone show, our class has split into various committees to organize, plan, and promote the event. I joined the graphics team and we are responsible for designing all posters, t-shirts, giveaways, and designing a book of all of our work. Here is a poster design idea to show to the class tomorrow.

Egg Saucers-Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

A few things to talk about today...

First, spring is here! So it was time to change the blog banner to a more spring theme...although here in Cincy it has felt a lot more like summer than spring!

Secondly, please go see How to Train Your Dragon. It is simply amazing. You won't regret it...my favorite animated movie since Bolt. I might even like it MORE than Bolt!

And thirdly, aren't these egg saucers adorable!? Imagine showing off your beautiful dyed eggs in them!

Check out the other products at yoyo ceramics...quite beautiful!

Becoming a young professional...

2010-03-25T13:12:00.001-07:00

Its Monday...
Originally uploaded by kennymatic

Tomorrow is my first ever full time job interview! And while I will not be wearing a Storm Trooper outfit, I will be wearing some sweet new threads I got last week.

I have spent the day readying all of my materials, reading up on Kids II, and doing overall research... and I have to say, I am pretty excited!

Atlanta, here I come! Wish me luck!

Canada's graphic identity

2010-03-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting Canada the past few days with some of my best girlfriends, and it has been a great time! One of the things that always strikes me about Canada is the overwhelming presence of the maple leaf...

At first I thought that this was due to the extreme national pride that most Canadians seem to embody. Don't get me wrong, I think that this is definitely part of it. But when I look at the actual ways that the maple leaf symbol is used, I think that it is just a much easier symbol to integrate into a graphic identity. Red white and blue stripes and stars are a lot more to handle...probably the best recent use of the American flag is the Obama logo.

Do you think if America had a symbol closer in comparison to the maple leaf that it would be seen more often in branding?

Thesis Proposal

2010-03-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Last Friday we presented our thesis topics for our class and a few faculty. I got really good feedback from my presentation and everyone is excited to see what I come up with. Take a look at my proposal, if you like!!

Click here to download!

Sometimes I think I am crazy for choosing this topic, but I feel like there are SO MANY opportunities, and it is a very emotional problem, which I also like.

In other news, the new Gorillaz CD, Plastic Beach, is A-MAZING. Check out the video for their first single, Stylo...

They did an amazing job transposing the characters to 3D without losing any of the character of the hand drawn style. Usually, I think that some of the character of the original designs are lost in translation when going from 2D to 3D. Example: the concept art for How to Train Your Dragon that I posted last week. After watching the trailer for the movie, I don't think the 3D characters have the same quality as the hand drawn designs.

Way to go, Gorillaz animation team!

How To Train Your Dragon concept art

2010-03-02T08:01:00.001-08:00

REALLY inspiring video of concept art from Dreamworks's upcoming film, How To Train Your Dragon.

On a side note, here is a little teaser of something I am working on for my portfolio...

It's about the little things...

2010-02-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

As I near the end of my school career and begin the job search, it becomes extremely evident that there is a lot more to being an awesome designer than being able to sketch or churn out an awesome render. You may be saying, "Well duh, Sylvia....everyone knows that!" but sometimes I think people underestimate some of the little things that you can do that can set you apart from the competition. Therefore, I give to you...

MY SIMPLE TIPS FOR STANDING OUT IN THE CROWD AND GETTING AHEAD IN LIFE!

1. Be on time!

This one seems so easy to me, but people seem to have a major problem with it. Want to make your boss frustrated? Consistently show up late to meetings...it sets everyone back and cuts into productivity. I always think of it this way...am I going to upset anyone by arriving on time or a little early? Probably not. But if I am late? Many times it won't matter...but someone who is consistently on time will gain a lot more respect than someone who is consistently late.

2. Be respectful!

You never know who you may meet in life, and where that connection will take you. With all of the newfangled technology the world has to offer, (yes, newfangled!) it is just as easy to make connections as it is to break them. Watch what you say as well as what you do (in person AND on the net!)...you never know which of your classmates, friends, or colleagues you might need to ask for a job someday.

3. Be professional!

I think in school we tend to be too casual, especially in presentations and in class. If you are constantly cursing and being inappropriate in class or in your workplace, people are not going to respect you or take you seriously. You might even be making others feel uncomfortable! No one wants to hire someone who is going to make other employees feel uncomfortable. Someone who dresses nicely and presents their work in a serious and compelling manner is going to leave a greater impression on their classmates and coworkers.

I'm not saying I am perfect at all of these rules...but I observe that people who embody these qualities get a lot further in their academic and professional lives than those who may have more talent, but are unprofessional and disrespectful.

Troubadour

2010-02-22T10:04:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my presentation of my ukulele bag! Here is a collection of some sketches, as well as the final boards.

Ukulele Bag!

2010-02-12T07:38:00.001-08:00

In our Des Comm class, we are working on a short two-week project where we can design pretty much whatever we want...so I chose a ukulele bag! Here is a sneak peek of my concept development...

In the next week, I will be finalizing my design and creating renderings that effectively communicate the concept and its features and benefits.

they arrived!

2010-02-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Behold my lovely new business cards!

And something also awesome...

Full circle??

2010-02-03T08:00:00.001-08:00

Wow, this is strange! I was looking back at some of my old blog posts and ran across this one...

I had forgot I even listened to a podcast on this topic! I am probably going to do my thesis project about memorializing loved ones through cremated remains, so I have been reading/thinking a lot about what happens to your body after death. (morbid, I know, but I am actually pretty exicted about where this project could go!) So strange...

Business Cards

2010-02-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago I ordered some "Mini Cards" from Moo. I can't wait to get them and start handing them out! I used the art from my "Best of 2009" CD to make 4 different card varieties.

(The following images include bleed area, so they will be cropped a little smaller than shown.)

I will post a photo when I get the real deal! Check it out if you are looking to make some cards, it was 20 bucks for 100 mini cards (and you can have up to 100 different designs on the front of the cards!)

Mash-Up project final renders

2010-02-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

Final renderings for my mash-up project in Des Com. I had a lot of fun with this one!!

project teaser

2010-01-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a little teaser to what I am working on right now in Des Comm....

Renderings to follow after the weekend!

Back in school!

2010-01-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

I am back in school now (only 6 more months, how exciting!) and with school comes projects! In our des comm class we have a quarter long project called the "mona" project: basically it is an exercise in sketching. We have a halfway progress check due tomorrow, so I thought I would share a couple of pages...

The idea for these two pages was to draw an existing product (in this case, a Belkin bookbag and a pair of J-41 heels) and then supplement those drawings with some further development on the page. I think they turned out pretty nice, what do you think?

Little Square Sketchbook #3

2010-01-12T10:23:00.001-08:00

Best of 2009 CD

2009-12-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

The past couple of years I have made a "Best of" mix CD for my friends. Here are the spreads from the booklet I did for the CD this year.

list of great things about this year

2009-12-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today as I drove back to Ohio, "Man, I have done a lot of awesome things this year!" 2009 has been a heck of a ride, and here are the highlights...(not in chronological order...)

1. hosting 2 dance parties w/tracy
2. learning how to bend plywood and making a chair
3. moving to Boston for 6 months
4. being part of a really cool design team
5. new awesome friends! (too many to list! you know who you are!)
6. cape cod trip
7. north shore trip
8. concerts: i can't even recall all of them, but this includes seedy seeds (twice!), avett brothers, bishop allen, dan deacon, etc etc.
9. halloween in NYC
10. lobstah night!! (7 lobsters for 77 bucks and a heck of a lot of fun!)
11. misfit thanksgiving at patricks house
12. skyline chili fests
13. so much good food!
14. family visits to boston
15. playing ukulele
16. starting to get healthier (even losing a couple lbs, even though i am gaining them back over the holidays...)
17. T PARTY!
18. snowboarding/giving up on snowboarding and skiing!
19. karaoke in NYC
20. christmas in NYC (the best part? ice skating in central park!)
21. western mass/eric carle museum of picture book art
22. whale watching
23. harry potter exhibit
24. super deals on museums and stuff (aquarium, zoo, MFA, etc).
25. sitting on the Charles/Boston Common/Public garden and basking in the sun
26. bar golf
27. pastries
28. katie holmes/suri spotting!
29. tracy visits to boston!
30. overall growth in skills and confidence.

Man what a year! Of course there have been low points, but I think overall this has been one of the best years of my life!

little square sketchbook #2

2009-12-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

More sketches from the little square sketchbook!!

Tomorrow it is day 1 of the trek back to Ohio. It has been a great quarter...so sad to be leaving the team at The First Years, but I am excited to see where the last few months of school/graduation take me! Maybe back to Boston??

little square sketchbook #1

2009-12-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

Tracy got a little square sketchbook from a friend, which i instantly fell in love with and purchased for myself. it has been a while since I have had a "sketch" book (i know, horrible, eh?) and it feels really great to have one again.

User experience: CD packaging

2009-11-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

Today at Target, I picked up the new CD from Flight of the Conchords, titled I Told You I Was Freaky. I thought I would share the packaging because this is the kind of thing I love to discover when I purchase a CD...

First, the album art is great, and the cover is cut out to reveal the art on the next layer...

Next, you open the cover to reveal a plethora of awesome! A double sided poster, really nice packaging art, and a hilarious CD sleeve with emo pictures of Brett and Jemaine on either side. Plus, the CD itself looks really nice...but that's not all!

I open the booklet to find another surprise...there are also chords printed with the song lyrics! Why has no one done this before? I think it is a really fun touch.

I bought this CD for 9.99 at Target...pretty much the same price you would pay or an electronic download. These are the kind of experiences I was thinking about when I thought of the possiblity of tackling music packaging/user experience for my thesis. This experiece was so much more enjoyable than buying the CD online. If I were a musical artist, I would want my fans to purchase my music with this kind of experience...how can people be encouraged to buy "hard copy" music instead of digital? Is it really something that should be encouraged?

Thesis?

2009-11-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Having surpassed the halfway point of this co-op quarter, the realization that I graduate in about half a year is hitting me hard....especially the fact that I will begin work on my thesis in January. That being said, I have begun to brainstorm some possible topic areas...this year, we have an overall "theme", which right now is loosely titled Intimacy. Really, the focus is the connection that we have with products as well as the way that products can connect people. I think this is a good topic because it really focuses on emotional design, which I am really interested in.

So far I have two major concept areas: Kids (no suprises there) and Music.

Possible starting points:

KIDS
-heath: toys to promote health, encourage and educate healthy living. I like this idea but I think it is kind of overdone...maybe there is a new way to approach?
-connectivity: Maybe a system for connecting children in hospitals that are bedridden? Or play therapy?
-kids+music: product/toy that allows music creation/customization, self expression and creativity. "connect" with others to make a band....character based?
-exploration/nature: toy/product to encourage this. Geocaching specific GPS? digital nature log?

MUSIC
-exploring how we buy music...is the CD/album art dead? Is there a product that music can be connected to to encourage sales? I really love having something physical from my music, and I don't want to see the creativity that goes into CD packaging go away.
-How do we enjoy music? headphones, mp3 players, stereos....how can these be improved, altered, changed to create a new product?
-Again, music creation. Is there a "mixer for dummies" or something that anyone can pick up and create beats and mixes?
-karaoke. 'nuff said.

These are just a few initial thoughts, posted here more for me so I remember them...but if you have any comments or think any of these thoughts stand out, leave a comment!

felt bag

2009-09-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a bag I made from the leftover felt from my chair...

note: 1/4 inch thick industrial felt is NOT an easy thing to sew by hand!

Valley: My Completed Chair

2009-09-15T13:42:00.001-07:00

Valley is a chair that is fun and beautiful: the form is graceful and elegant, and lends itself to multiple seating postions. Made by hand with bent plywood and felt.

Checklist for this co-op quarter

2009-09-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Things I want to do/accomplish next quarter:

ACADEMIC/SCHOOL/WORK RELATED:
1. Rock it at work, leave a great impression, and possibly a job offer? ;)
2. Further develop my concept from the DesComm group project
3. Thesis ideas: approach work about possibility of a sponsored project?

PERSONAL
1. Be healthier (gym, eating better, etc.)
2. Sketching for fun as well as development (character, resurrect sketcheration?)
3. Ukulele skills....increase!

FUN!
1. Boston fun!
2. NYC fun!
3. Halloween costume/halloween in NYC!
4. Ski Trip?
5. Trip to Maine?
6. Tracy visit to Boston
7. Harry Potter exhibit at the MOS Boston
8. Golden Book Art exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Children's Book Art in Amherst
9. Concerts! Passion Pit? Ra Ra Riot? The Dodos?

Because I hate doing posts with at least a picture or something interesting, here's what I have been rocking out to recently:

New personal goal: dance like that guy! haha, RIIGHT.

chair sneak peek

2009-08-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

The chair is coming along...here are a couple of process pix to give you a sneak peek!

Moment of truth....

Seems like it worked!

Pieces for the felt pattern

Terrible Yellow Eyes

2009-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Terrible Yellow Eyes is a Where the Wild Things Are tribute blog with lots of amazing art inspired by the book. Go check it out!! This piece is by Brittney Lee, who is amazing!

Poser men's facial care

2009-08-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we had another crit for our Des Comm group project, where we presented three refined concepts. Here is my concept, called "Poser".

The toner pads, moisturzer, and hair pomade stack and can be twisted to kind of "build your own" hipster. My other two group members, Tracy Subisak and Michael Kandel, have great concepts and I think it will be difficult to choose what design we use for the final presentation in two weeks.

movies that grow with you

2009-07-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

Movies are an interesting thing. For example, I can go watch a Harry Potter movie and be happy....but I really feel like I only need to see it once or twice. The movies that I really love are the ones that you can watch time and time again, but are always different depending on where you are in your life. I thought I would make a quick list of some of my favorite movies like this....

1. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

This has to be one of my favorite all time movies...very weird and different, and a movie you pretty much have to watch a second time to fully understand. Even though the movie is based in fantasy, the themes and the relationships between the characters seem so real that you can always find a little bit of yourself in the film.

2. GARDEN STATE

This is one of my favorite scenes from Garden State. I really believe it is the climax of the film and where it all starts to come together for Large.

3. THE DARJEELING LIMITED

My favorite Wes Anderson. I love the three personalities of the brothers...really makes me want to go on a soul searching trip to India!

4. AWAY WE GO

I can't wait to watch this movie when I am looking for a place to settle myself. The characters, though outrageous and a little out there at times, have qualities that are totally recognizable and common...and I think that a lot of the emotions that the main characters are going through are universal even if you aren't having a baby or moving....plus who doesn't love John Krasnski!

Any other movies that fit in this category?

full scale model chair design

2009-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

We had our crit today for full scale chair models. Here's what mine looks like!

more passion pit

2009-07-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

because I love them so much and the video is sweet, here's another passion pit video.

final chair direction....and 100th post!

2009-07-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

For my 100th post, I thought I would share my refined chair direction!

connections: life drawing and ID drawing

2009-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of life drawing is gesture drawings. Gesture drawings are very quick drawings that quickly capture the essence of a pose. The best life drawings are drawn quickly and with a lot of energy, which is usually evident in the markmaking.

As I was gesture drawing in class today, I was thinking that a good way to teach ID'ers to sketch quickly is to have them draw "gesture" drawings of products: a series of 1 minute "poses" of a product to quicky capture the idea. Sketches that are drawn quickly and with energy are much more interesting than "drawings" and better exude confidence and productivity. I think the life drawing classes I took in high school helped me tremendously in developing my ID sketching skills in college.

Check out this comparison...

Some nice gesture drawings by Ryan Savas

Carl Liu's sketches...

As you can see from the above sketches, both sets of sketches are energetic, dynamic, and still show a lot of information while remaining "sketchy." I bet Carl Liu has done some figure drawing in his time!

Figure Drawing

2009-07-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

In addition to the chair studio and des comm, I am taking a fine arts figure drawing class where we get to draw nude models. I have always loved figure drawing, so it feels good to be doing it again (although 8 hours a week of figure drawing is really exhausting on top of my other classes). Here are a few drawings from my last class...

Chair Minis

2009-07-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

For our chair studio, we made miniature models of our concepts to get a better feeling of form and materials. Here are my mini chairs:

Chair studio progress

2009-07-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

I don't have any of my sketches scanned yet for my chair studio, but I believe I have a direction which I thought I would share....

The form is inspired by inchworms and how they move. The chair can be sit on three ways: one way as a stool, and two ways as a rocker. It is made of bent plywood, acrylic, and felt.

I have more refining to do on the concept, but I believe it is my chosen direction.

Designing men's beauty products

2009-07-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

In our DesComm class this quarter, we are doing a group project centered around designing a brand and a line of product. Our group (me, Tracy Subisak, and Michael Kandel) are focusing on a line of beauty products for men including an eye cream, moisturizer/toner, and razor/facial hair trimmer.

Yesterday we presented our first phase of research and concepts. Here is the image board that I was responsible for...

Here are a few of my preliminary sketches...

I will update with more progress as the quarter continues.....

Cleverness

2009-07-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

While browsing The Dieline today for some packaging inspiration, I came across this whiskey bottle concept that I thought was pretty clever....

The brand, titled Mr. Burgular, features a thermosensitive graphic that reveals fingerprints when the consumer touches the bottle. The experience surrounding the bottle is very compelling, and would make me want to buy the product even though I don't really like whiskey.

I think packaging is a good area to produce some clever results, especially involving materials.

happy friday, and pre-fourth of july!

2009-07-03T14:25:00.001-07:00

The Sweetly Diabolic Art of Jim Flora - preview page
Originally uploaded by fantagraphics

I love the colors and contrast in this piece. Hope everyone has a good holiday!

Video Teaser

2009-06-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here ya go, ya'll.

In other news, I bought a ukulele online. Yay for distractions!

Goals for Summer Quarter

2009-06-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

There are a few specific things related to my design skills and abilities I would like to work on this summer...

Communicating about design...but in a verbal sense. Being able to discuss design and relate to someone why a design is successful or unsuccessful is almost as important as being able do visually communicate a design, especially in the professional world. I had the opportunity to practice this a little bit on my last co-op, but I think our group project in DesComm and also our Studio project will help with this.

Creating form with meaning beyond funtion. Much of my form decisions thus far have been functionally based. I would like to learn more about form from a sculptural, emotional standpoint.

Representing my thought visually. How do I present what occurs in my mind on paper? There is so much that goes into each project that it is hard to know what is important for others to see...and much of it is so abstract and metaphysical that it is difficult to represent.

sounds of summer-passion pit

2009-06-21T08:47:00.001-07:00

when I think of last summer, I think of MGMT and M.I.A. I have a feeling when I think of this summer, I will think of Passion Pit.

even better, they are from boston! I love boston :)

goals for this quarter

2009-06-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

As the beginning of summer quarter nears, I have a couple of things I would like to work on.....

1. I need to push my project and design further than I have before. I think the chair will be a good project to learn about aesthetics, emotional design, and function and is a project I can really get into. I always work hard at all of my projects, but I really want to step it up this quarter in terms of my work and the quality of the product I produce.

2. I need to get healthier and lose some weight. There is no excuse!! Every quarter I start out going to the gym at least a couple of times a week, but then end up getting consumed by school later in the quarter. Hopefully I can keep something up this quarter, if nothing else, maybe I can at least eat a little better.

bird on branch

2009-06-19T12:49:00.001-07:00

bird on branch
Originally uploaded by art.crazed

Well, I am back in Cincy after spending a nice weekend in Boston with Mom...it is a lot hotter here than in Boston! (90 degrees today!) Yeesh. Anyways, I am actually pretty excited to start this quarter at school, the chair project should be pretty awesome...as long as we can do pretty much what we want! It will be nice to have a project that is more open to interpretation. I already have some ideas buzzing around in my head...

Rainy Day

2009-06-12T06:14:00.001-07:00

Rainy Day
Originally uploaded by black*jj

Today is my last day at the First Years for this quarter...sad! I am coming back in the fall though, so it is all good.

My Boston journey is coming to an end, only a few more days! Mom comes in late tonight, and then we have a few days to have some fun before its time for a long drive back to Cincy.

Its been a wild ride, I am so happy that I got to come to Boston and have some great experiences! I have made a lot of new friends and have grown as an individual, I think.

Here's hoping that this summer is a good one!

Storming the Cape

2009-06-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend I had! Steve, Megan, Aaron, and I took an epic journey to Cape Cod, where much fun and adventure was to be had. Here is a brief chronicle of our adventures:

Day 1: In which I get sand in my Fig Newton and bike about 20 miles

The Cape Cod Adventure began with lunch on the beach...it was a little cold and overcast, but I think that worked to our benefit because the Cape wasn't super crowded as I had expected.
"Either my fig newton is crunchy, or it has sand in it."

After lunch, we rented some bikes in P-town and headed to the bike trail, where we ended up biking about 20 miles in a few hours...way more than I have ever biked before, I can tell you that...but it felt great! The scenery was beautiful and very diverse: beaches, sand dunes, and forest.

That night we went back to the beach, where we had a campfire, cooked hot dogs and smores, drank beer, and played truth or dare. I managed to ruin a hot dog and a brat in the sand with my terrible campfire cooking skills.

We stayed in a little place called the "Outermost Hostel," and due to it being towards the beginning of the season we got a little cabin all to ourselves. Not bad for 25 bucks!

Day 2: In which we bum at the beach and get sunburned

Our second day began with the beach. We had a good time enjoying the sun and playing frisbee, even though the water was a little cold to get in. We all were silly and got a little sunburned, though.

Air-ron goes for the catch

After the beach, we ate lunch in P-town and browsed the strip, which was quite interesting to say the least. Provincetown is famous for its diversity and colorful inhabitants and shops.

Which brought us to the end of our mini vacation, and almost to the end of the quarter!! How quickly it has flown by! I feel so fortunate to have had the experiences I have had here in Boston, and I am so happy that I had a great group of people to hang out with. Thanks, guys!

Lampadaires de Paris

2009-06-05T14:33:00.001-07:00

Lampadaires de Paris
Originally uploaded by Ωméga 1

so simple, so cute.

happy friday everyone! headed to the cape tomorrow, should be fun! hopefully the weather turns around, it is rather dreary today....

while we are on the subject of the brain...

2009-06-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Something has been on my mind lately:

Everyone has different tastes, whether it be in food, music, art, books....you name it. How is it that we all like such different things?

For example, let's think about music. Why do I gravitate towards indie/alternative, while others like country, or hip hop, etc?

I know that part of this is environmentally based: how we grow up, what we are exposed to, what our friends like. But how much of preference is based on environment and upbringing? Is there a scientific aspect to it? Is there something about the brain that will make one person like rock and another like rap?

Another thing that got me thinking about this was the fact that I didn't like UP as much as most people I know who saw it (except for Steve). Now anyone who knows me knows I love kids stuff, and Pixar, and silly things. But UP was too silly, too ridiculous for even me. Why did I not like the movie as much as so many other people did?

Interesting things to ponder, and I could go on all night about it, but now it is time to read.

More music for you: M. Ward: Never Had Nobody Like You

the brain: hidden motives

2009-06-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

I was excited to see that episodes of Scientific American Frontiers with Alan Alda are currently on Hulu.com. In this episode about the hidden motives of the brain, Alan takes an interesting test where he is shown a variety of products, ranging from what many consider "cool" and "not cool." When comparing the brain's response to these images to a survey that Alan later fills out about what he thinks of each product, it is determined that Alan reacts negatively to things he feels are not cool, with not much brain activity happening when he looks at a cool object. Other people tested are the other way around: their brain activity increases when they see something they think is cool, and stays fairly normal when they see something uncool.

I wonder where most designers fit in? Maybe we are a combination of both. If you have a few minutes to spare, I reccommend watching at least the first segment of this video...very interesting and relevant to design.

Retro Illustration Friday

2009-05-29T04:35:00.001-07:00

Richard Scarry, I am a bunny 1
Originally uploaded by child at art

I guess there is an exhibit in Baltimore that is about the history of Golden Books...oh how I wish I could see it! This picture is from the book "I am a Bunny" by Richard Scarry. I remember my mom reading me this book as a child. It makes me happy to see it again!

the beauty of boston

2009-05-25T17:58:00.001-07:00

Yay Boston!

Kids enjoying the weather at the Christian Science Center

My buddy Jason cools off

I love being in a city that is so full of life. On a nice day in Boston, there are so many people outside enjoying the weather. It is a great feeling just sitting by the Charles or in a public area and observing everyone having a good time in the sunshine. Boston seemed especially happy today since everyone was off of work!

I was a little sad this weekend because I was the only one who didn't have someone in town visiting, but I am super excited for Mom to come in a few weeks (even though that means the end of my stay).

But at work we start summer hours this week, which means out at 1 on Friday! Yipee!

What's Wrong with American Husbands? circa 1956

2009-05-22T04:56:00.001-07:00

Redbook, February 1956
Originally uploaded by Touch of Retro

I love that tagline on this magazine cover....I wonder what the article says, since this was written in 1956. "They expect us to have dinner ready when they walk in the door!" Haha, actually, some of the complaints probably wouldn't be that different from today! It would be interesting to read similar articles that were written in the 50's and today to compare.

Happy Friday, and a happy Memorial Day Weekend! Looks like its going to be a nice one here in Boston...might even be a little hot!

another music post

2009-05-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

some more recent musical findings...

This has to be one of the best TV live performances I have ever seen....

The birds began to sing

2009-05-15T05:03:00.001-07:00

The birds began to sing
Originally uploaded by letslookupandsmile

because its spring! Happy Friday!

You can't judge a book by its cover....or can you?

2009-05-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Something I have been pondering lately is the importance of aesthetics in everyday life. How important is it to us for things to look good? Can outward appearance sway someone into thinking something is better than it really is?

Aesthetics is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I feel that everything should be designed to be beautiful. But sometimes aesthetics can be used to cover up something that isn't really that great. While not a product, here is an example I was thinking of today....

Yes, Walmart. We all remember the big, blue block letters and, in my case, the icky looking store where all of the creepy people came out in the middle of the night. Last year, Walmart updated their logo along with the whole look of their store, going for something more friendly, clean, and pure. Does this logo really make us believe that the store is any different? Sadly, I think it does. A super WalMart went up near my parent's house recently, and I have to admit, I stopped in once to pick up something and was kind of surprised. The store was clean, it looked nice, and the customers looked relatively normal. But really, it is the same store, it just has a new face.

The same thing goes in social situations. We all judge people based on appearances, whether we like it or not. The guy always goes up to the hot girl and buys her a drink. Sometimes she might be dumb as a brick, but at least she's hot, right?

Let's just hope designers don't get a reputation for making crappy things look pretty...then we will all be in trouble!

your right hand....

2009-05-08T05:10:00.001-07:00

N,S,E,and W: Right Hand Up
Originally uploaded by scrubbles

is always your right hand.

just in case you forgot.

Happy Friday!

Sketcheration is picking up speed!

2009-05-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

There has been a recent influx of activity on the sketch blog that Tracy and I started, Sketcheration. Recently we had an epic robot battle, and this week we are drawing villains. I am excited that some of my team at work has started participating, its really exciting too see people get into it.

So what are you waiting for! Head on over to Sketcheration, check it out, and let me know if you want to join in on the fun!

In other news, loving the Black Keys!

Moon River

2009-05-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Probably one of the most beautiful songs of all time...

from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

lunchtime sketches

2009-05-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

Love this photo....

2009-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Taken by my friend Aaron Ricica in front of the Boston Courthouse. Click for full view/full effect.

Fionn Regan

2009-05-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Loving this song/video:

Fionn Regan-Put a Penny in the Slot

(Sorry, won't let me embed the video. But I recommend you listen to the song!)

In other news, a beautiful day in Boston!

Jantzen

2009-05-01T06:39:00.001-07:00

Jantzen
Originally uploaded by vintageadvertisements

Happy Friday! Old skool bra ad! I think Friday is now retro illustration day!

I love this illustration, by the way.