Progression Reflection: A Semester at a Glance

Throughout ID 205, I learned a lot about perspective drawings, Photoshop, InDesign, and communicating through design. I came into this class confident in my sketching abilities and with more constructive criticism and minor tricks for sketching, I was able to improve on sketching leading to it now being one of my strongest skills. As I have already been pretty good at graphic design when communicating through posters and layouts, I feel that this class has led to these skills being even stronger than they were before which has helped me in my other Interior Design classes to be able to not only layout a grid effectively but to also incorporate a single idea, simplify, or overpower throughout multiple displays tying them together. For example, with this assignment I am focusing more on the work that i have done throughout the semester so aside from sticking to a grid and following that grid throughout the posters, I am keeping the background and fonts very simplified as to not distract the viewer from what is supposed to be the focal points. Along with learning poster design, we learned the sketching and rendering skills needing to be in interior design. Though I was having a very hard time with the rendering at the beginning of the semester, I was able to learn the techniques of rendering on my own without the instructions in the book through exploration and practice. In the end, my growth in my rendering skills has improved tremendously and I would consider this a class success. When looking into my sketching abilities, I came into this class with much sketching experience and have taken other classes, learning the techniques of how to draw in perspective was very beneficial to my drawings. I had not learned the skills needed yet in order to use the horizon line and vanishing points in order to draw in a more true to the eye view. This will continue to help me throughout my schooling and career. having the ability to do so has helped with the assignments that are on this poster set. All in all I feel that my overall communication skill through design has improved tremendously.

Sketch Crawl

When I saw everyone’s sketches at the sketch crawl I realized how different every person’s sketching strategies are. When it comes to adding color to each of our sketches, some did dramatic color and some so slim that it was barely an accent, yet with each tactic the sketches were still just as amazing. Sketching from my classmates and the Urban Sketchers were amazing and interesting to see the differences throughout. My strengths with sketching are my perspectives and being able to see the spaces put to paper, my weakness however, is adding color. I usually have a hard time adding color to my sketches because it either becomes overwhelming or I end up not liking it as much as when it was just ink. In sketches since the Sketch Crawl (and at the sketch crawl) I have tried to use color more subtly in order to accent color but without accidentally overwhelming and ruining my sketches. I plan to continue to do this and to eventually add more color and try different medias with time. Being able to experience the sketch crawl was very interesting and fun. I look forward to continuing to sketch on and off whenever I travel from now on as an inspiration from the Urban Sketchers.

Frye Art Museum

The Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington was a beautiful and interesting museum where the entry was reconstructed to make sure that the person experiencing the space had a full encounter and interest in the entrance experience. With the ramp entry way and the waterfall and reflection pool next to it, it is a space which people of all mobility standards can experience and view. The reflection of the natural day light on the water at the outside entrance is an amazing sight which in my opinion intrigues a guest causing them to want to enter the museum. Within the entry was a dome much like a temple in the past. The top is a perfect half sphere which lets light reflect and opens the space up to experience it in a different way. Throughout the museum, light is of an importance because it puts emphasis on each piece of artwork but without damage to the pieces of art as well as the natural light coming in from the ceiling of the museum throughout the space which accents the art without reaching all the way to the art pieces to cause any light damage. When designing for a museum, you must be very conscious of the light because it is needed to see the art and emphasize it subtly however, it cannot be direct or damaging. Also with designing a museum, you have to lay out the space to be an easy flow of traffic with a lot of space corresponding to art works within the building. All in all, I loved the Frye Art Museum and the way that they used light so subtly through the skylights.

Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle University

The Chapel of St. Ignatius of Seattle University was profoundly impacting when walking through the doors. Not only is it a place of worship and faith, but it is a beautiful work of design. The use of light and texture throughout the space pulls one in and almost takes over in a way. The design is based on six bottles of light in a way and with the different colors streaming in in various places, it pulls a viewer in to feel it’s true beauty. Throughout a day, the light will reflect in different ways causing you to view the chapel in a difference sense each time. When the light hits the walls in a different way throughout, it causes the textured walls to be viewed a little differently each time giving it a different impact on the viewer each time. Since it is a place of worship, a designer must consider the different ways a person may experience the space around them. That being said, you must adjust for there to be worship, praise, comfort, and much more in the space and design around that in order to accommodate to each person’s need. I feel that this specific space works very well for the purpose and with the design inspiration. I thought that the Chapel of St. Ignatius was compelling and absolutely beautiful.