Tile Project: How QReative Are You?

It was our presentation for the Tile Project today, here are our boards:

initial idea and development

research and trends

field tiles with underlying pattern

main tile and room visualization

We started our design process by looking at plant life and cellular structure. Through drawings, models and research we developed an interest in Quick Response (QR) code technology. This came about through looking at the work of OP artists, specifically FrancoisMorellet and his piece Aleatoric Distribution. 

Already aware of QR codes in advertising, our research from WGSN and Trend Union led us to believe in the advances of this growing technology as a influence for trends over the next 18 months. We decided to design the tile with this techno-savvy market in mind and looked into the possibilities available with QR coding.

Our research also showed that kitchens and technology are becoming ever more linked. You only need to look at the ipad store for the array of kitchen accessories in the form of tablet stands and screen covers currently available on the market.

This got us thinking about how people might want to use technology in the kitchen and so we developed the concept behind the QReative tile range; where the code would activate an app/website/food blog/recipe bank that the customer would make bespoke to themselves prior to ordering the tile. This then makes the kitchen not only the heart of the home but the heart of hyper-real activity!

Whilst considering hyper-reality, we found additional research on the ceramicist Andrew Tanner. He has developed the first augmented plate where, with smartphone capabilities, it  comes to life with animals and birds on your screen. Advertising is already running along this route, with Aurasma technology being employed to the fronts of magazines so that it can deliver videos to the customer as well as the content inside its pages. This got us thinking about how to apply further developments to the idea (of the tile) and we saw that there were endless capabilities. From developing the applications that the code scans, to applying augmented capabilities amongst a tile range, approaching schools with inbuilt educational tools or developing the capability of sound so that these tiles could translate into the bathroom and possibly service radio use.

Through our research I came across this interesting exhibition utilising mobile, internet and facebook integration:

Digital Making

Next project!

Context:

The use of digital technology offers huge potential to those working in the decorative arts.

From research and development to  visualization and production digital technology can not only stream line production but also offers a huge range of new exciting techniques and processes to produce both 2D and 3D work.

You will be working on two project designed to equip you with the skills to develop work using a combination of 'the digital' and 'the hand'

As well as using software we will explore a whole variety of means that work can leave the screen and become 'real' using:

·      Laser cutting

·      Water jet cutting.

·       Digital embroidery.

·      Vinyl  transfers/ sand blasting

·      CNC

·      3D Printing.

Brief 1: 

From 2D to 3D

Working from a combination of images, drawings, pattern research (you may wish to develop your work from colour/print projects). We will be developing a series of 'Vector' images/patterns/plans using illustrator and 2-design applications.

You will explore the output of these 'Vectors' a variety of methods:

·      Printing/Plotting

·      Vinyl Cutting.

·      Laser Cutting.

·      Water Jet Cutting.

·      CNC.

You are now required to develop this two dimensional work into three dimensional outcomes using appropriate material techniques and processes.

Consider:

·      Hand cutting.

·      Machine cutting.

·      sand blasting

·      Folding/twisting/bending/melting/slotting etc.

Brief 2:

3D modeling and rendering

Working from a 'real object' you have produced during the year. We will be using rhinoceros to create a digital 3D model of this object.

Initially you will explore the potential of 3D digital modeling to produce virtual three dimensional forms and structure.

You will then produce a model of your chosen object and apply appropriate digital materials to it for visualization purposes. You may also experiment with digital 3D printing and production techniques:

·      3D printing

·      CNC

Finally you will 'render' your finished model and composite it into a variety of contexts which may the develop the objects meaning/aesthetic/function.

So to start all this off we've been asked to make some simple paper models/cut-outs considering:

· Cutting up hand drawn or digital Patterns and folding.
· Layering cut out patterns to form structure.
· Slotting weaving bending twisting.
· Reforming your Easter eggs boxes to new and exciting object.

Life Drawing

Uni has been so busy this term! I'm already two projects down and only two weeks left until Easter break! I've delivered one presentation and have another one on its way..I've had little time to upload on here and feel very behind?! I've also felt very neglective of life drawing and after a chat about what's important for me and making time for those things, I took it up again last week.

As I've been saying, I want to try new approaches to mark making this year. I've signed up to a drawing holiday and recently met with the tutor, Martyn Blundell. He took a look at my portfolio and suggested I try a continuous line approach. It makes you look harder and I wasn't sure how I was going to find it (because it's easy to be lazy with a fluid sketchy line!) But I really enjoyed it and am going to stick with it for a while. It's a bit Egon Schiele (which isn't such a bad thing!?) and much like his work it becomes an economical application of line...

I'd like to practice with this for the rest of the term - then I want to play with some colour! There's not enough time in a 20 minute sketch to do this, unless I work REALLY quickly and that sort of goes against what I want out of this exercise.

So, here are my drawings from last week...

5 minute warm ups

First Pose: 20 minutes...good upper body, lower needs work..

Second Pose: 20 minutes...looking harder, but what are those feet all about!?

Third Pose: 20 minutes...head, shoulder and forearm ok - I was trying to fit it all on the page and lost it with the legs a bit

20 minute end pose - I really enjoyed this one! Perspective of legs need a little more attention but the upper body again seems solid

Conclusion: Hands and feet need practice, perspective awareness - consider and measure more acurately, try pen, think about colour and draw draw draw, more more more!

And from this week (in pen!) :

5 minute warm ups

First Pose: 20 minutes, good upper body, heavy from the tummy

Second Pose: 20 minutes: upper body good, arm a bit wonky and ill proportioned. Rest of body in better proportion but too big to fit onto the page!

Third Pose: 20 minutes with stool. A much better attempt at this pose than last week, legs in much better proportion/perspective. Arms look a bit disjointed....?

Final Pose: 20 minutes - difficult pose! upper body better than lower body but still not that great!?

Unfortunately, at the end of this session I found out that it was the last one of the year :( Gutted that I'd missed out this term, but at least I know for next year!!! I'm still going to keep a regular drawing schedule though - it makes me really happy!