Website

I have finished my website, however....I am having trouble uploading it to the web. I have tried using Fetch, and for some reason it says when I try to view it, Access Denied. I have loaded all of my files, that I used in the Website, and the Html index. I am not sure why it is happening. All of my pictures are compressed to the right size. I am going to continue to try.

Animation Final Project

So far, for my final I have begun to take pictures with my digital camera of the beginning scenes to my animation. Where the people meet to see the site, where the lego building will be built. I have figure out that I need a tripod, and I have been having trouble with the flash, and making the picture not fussy. Soon I am going to try and learn how to use FLash in order to make my clips longer. I have never used it before, so I should be interesting.

Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling

Instead of writing about the Axiom gallery, I choose to write about an exhibit I went to see a few weeks ago at The Musuem of Modern Art in New York. I went down to see the exhibit called Fabricating the Modern Dwelling. The topic of designing sustainably and being conscious of our use of resources is very important today in our society. The exhibit was being talked about everywhere. I heard it in classes, through friends, and lectures, all over the place. It was so exciting to say that I went. Designing with the idea of quick construction, duplication, while still keeping in mind quality, and people’s uses are huge. It is something that is on the top of designers’ minds. Since having been in the era of abundance, like Pink says, most people have been into the idea of designing their own individual home; a home like no other, perfect for themselves, luxurious, and high quality. Now it is beginning to change and people are realizing our economy is screaming for downsizing homes and for the use of less costly materials. The exhibit was based around the idea that these homes could be designed on the computer, and then built in a factory off site, and then delivered. This new modern process is huge, cutting down the cost of construction, and saves a lot of time.
This exhibit has a lot to do with what we have looked at over the semester, from Pinks book to the class on a whole. The use of technology is something that is growing fast, and it is beginning to reach every aspect of our lives. Being able to design homes on the computer and have them be fabricated in a construction facility is huge. Also the idea of using simplistic design, that is effective, and not over done is something the designer in this exhibit were trying to achieve. It is also something that people in the New Age and Modern Artists are doing as well. Some of the architects that were featured are Kieran Timberlake, Jeremy Edmiston and Douglas Gauthier, Horden Cherry Lee Architects, Lawrence Sass and Oskar Leo Kaufmann.
One of my favorite houses is Kieran Timberlake’s Lobolly House; the simplistic design of the house really attracted me to this dwelling. It is built on stilts which resemble the naturalistic forest around it. The large glass window that allows light into every corner of the house not only is great for a view but also for the use of natural light. The only thing I am a little hesitant about these homes, is how much is does look very modernized. Even though the design is very aware of its surroundings, it is quite modern looking. It is very exciting to see the new way architecture is being to change, and adapt to our world. I hope after going to see this exhibit I can include what I learned into my own work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DApR17dyh50

"A Whole New Mind"

I think a lot of people already know a lot if what he is saying in the last chapter. I feel like he is talking about the stages of life that one goes through. In relation to the 8 stages of life, being the last one trying to find meaning in your life, why you are really here on earth. Also going through the other stages as well, play and empathy. These are all stages that people hit when a person matures. I think Pink is simply stating the obvious, and adding some scientific evidence. I think in a way it is kind of sad that people today need to read books like this one, to try and help with life. Even though we are in an era of abundance and wealth, what really is important in our lives are the simple things, which each person can achieve without all of the things we have at our finger tips. I think there are a lot of level headed people out there that already know about these topics. Pink talked about story and how people remember more when there is a story linked with something, even in advertisement. I remember since I was little I have been told by my grandparents, and parents, many of the issues he disused in this book, through stories. Not only through the repetition of ideas my family has drilled into my head, but the stories have made me remember. I liked Pinks book, however I think a lot of what he talked about is already known, and he through scientific background to add to it.
After reading this book, it has defiantly made me thankful for having people around me that have taught me many of these ideals of life from an early age. Even when Pink related creativity to the business world, my family has done many of the things he talked about, and continue. I liked the book, however in a way I think it is sad that we need books like this in order to understand how to better ourselves, and learn about our environment.
In relation to our class, I think while doing many of the projects parallel to reading the book, it was accurate to what we were doing. I think since the class is about learning about using computers and technology I think the beginning chapters about our society today, where it is going and presently was very accurate. I think from that perspective it was interesting. I think the end chapters, were more about life, and relate more to people who could get sucked into using technology all the time, and lose touch with themselves. It is scary to think that some day in the future we could all be using our creativity on the computer, starring at a computer screen. I agree with Pink that right brain thinkers are in demand, and the use of the qualities of right brain thinkers are what many people need to remember is important. Overall I liked the book, but I think the topics are a lot of what people already know, if not consciously but subconsciously.

Play

I thought this chapter was very accurate as well. After reading what Pink has to say, I think all of these qualities have been known just not spoken, or learned. I think many successful business people and designers have adapted and learned these qualities through experiences. I think it has been more of unspoken innate qualities. When Pink describes these, I think people have known about them just no one has actually studied it and placed it into words. Play, is extremely important in everything we do,and most people know that. When people are laughing and having fun, while doing things, people are often more productive, and enjoy what they are doing. Laughing, releases endorphins into your body which make you happy, and feel good. In a business setting when everyone is feeling good laughing and having a good time while brainstorming ideas and so on, work is not only work it is fun and therefore more successful. I think it is very important, to create fun creative work / play spaces.

Empathy

I liked this chapter on empathy. The way Pink explains empathy is very accurate. "It is the ability to imagine yourself in someone else's position and to intuit what that person is feeling". I've known what empathy is, its just been hard to explain in words but after reading this it has become far clearer. Its not just feeling bad for someone, its actually feeling what they are feeling. I think sometimes I do this too much, which can also not be a good quality. When a person takes on other people's emotions. Pink says there needs to be detachment from this as well, a balance. Like in all things there needs to be balance. I think it is a hard trait to learn. I also agree with Pink that it is an essential part of Design. One needs to be able to place themselves into whatever they are designing and really feel what they are doing, to be great designers.

ANIMATION-

Symphony-

After reading through this chapter on "symphony", I do think everything is relevant to our society today. I think it is important to be able to see the "big picture", and be able to function doing many tasks on different levels. I think in order to be successful one needs to be creative, and be able to understand business aspects as well; using both the right and left side of your brain. I think it is important to see relationships between things. I think this has always been important not only now going into the conceptual age. Some people maybe be extremely intelligent but if they lack in social skills, may not be successful because they are only very good at a few things. I liked the idea of tilting a picture and then drawing it because then you are not drawing from memory but from what you are actually viewing. I think it is interesting that the left side of the brain cant tell what the right side is doing. I think this was an interesting chapter, however I don't only think it has been important now days, but has always been important.