Models

So I have been messing with TopMod for a while now. My favorite feature is the rind modeling feature. So far Ive created several different models to try out different ideas. Some have worked and some have not. My favorite part of this whole project is rendering the model. It looks ok as a model in the program, but it takes it several levels up when it is rendered with ambient occlusion. I have been messing with the dept of field but have not had it come out right yet. Here is what I have done so far.




This was my first try at modeling and rendering.









This is my favorite of the ones I have done so far

wmmna

After looking over wmmna.com I decided I like it but was not overly impressed. The layout was fine though some of the subjects where a little hard to read. Some of the post were interesting and some were not. Maybe with more time reading and searching I would be more impressed but at the moment if I had randomly stumbled upon it I would have moved on after a few minutes.

More Menus

For this draft I added the train graphic in the top left corner. I also adjusted my colors to match alittle better. I moved some text around too make it easier to read and I enlarged the address of Coffee Station

Article

The article I chose was about a Buddhist monk community. It was designed to have as little environmental impact as possible. The monks living quarters are scattered over a hillside and most of the paths are defined by existing trees. The article seemed to take from the simple aspect of the building. The spaces between sections are large and everything is spread out and simple. The colors, though not seen in these pictures, were earthy and all the pictures had about the same coloration.

Color

On my menu for Coffee Station, I went with several different colors. They are, for the most part, earthy colors with some soft blues for contrast. I used these because Coffee Station had many warm, earthy colors, and a few brighter colors here and there. As far as pictures go, I am currently working on several pictures of trains and train related material. Once I am finished editing them, whichever I choose will go in the top left corner to tie the menu to the theme of the coffee shop.

the future

Coffee Station Rough Draft

On my rough draft I decided to go with a 8.5X11 front and back, because they are the easiest to handle. The establishment is fast paced around the counter, so it would be easiest to keep the menus in order.

O architecture

So I just finished reading Michael Meredith's "Notes for those beginning the discipline of architecture" and the article on Vault.com. After just spending hours and hours of work on a project and turning around to having another one due, these articles were slightly disheartening. The articles did not tell me something I did not know, they just put it in writing. Meredith's paper was actually uplifting at some points. To have someone know how you feel is always uplifting. But besides that it was a little of a downer. Knowing my friends and family will more than likely never understand is depressing. To know I am going to be searching for the problem and answer for the rest of my life is depressing. But the vault.com makes it almost not seem worth it. While my friends who spit back answers and solve problems by a series of steps will be making lots of money I will put my heart and soul into my work, workings long hours, and more than likely be payed poorly for it. It almost doesn't seem worth it at times. But they say do what you love and the rest will work itself out, and I love what I am doing, so I guess I just have to hope the rest will work itself out.

InDesign

My favorite tutorial was how to wrap text around a picture. This could become very useful on future projects.
How to:
1. Put picture and text into document










2. Use pen tool to draw around the area that you do not want the text to be in.
3. press ctrl+alt+w and decide how you want to wrap your text










And that is how you do it.

Courthouse-Eugene, Oregon

After seeing the courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, I realized how mundane courthouses today have become. Though in their time they were symbols of power, today the same building evokes a feeling of historical pride and lack of connection to modern society. The courthouse in Oregon does not make the observer think lack of connection. It is a very modern building with sweeping lines and new materials. The interior is also very modern, while still keep a sense of dignity.

IBA/Arup Tv Tower

The IBA/Arup Tv Tower is a massive tower under construction in Guangzhou, China. The structure is suppose to be done in time for the 2010 Asia Games, which are being held in Guangzhou. The tower is like a bunch of smaller buildings on top of each other with hanging gardens in between. Each of these gardens are design according to its place in the tower. The building is created to look like a human form, with a wider base and top, and a smaller waist area. At the moment the building is being compared to "The Vortex", but I personally think that the Tower is much more beautiful and graceful, compared to the Vortex which, in my opinion, is rather bulky.

Wikipedia link
More Pictures

Editting Blog

So I have been working on editing my blog. I found a site with really cool free fonts. I started creating a header in photoshop and have been trying to figure out how to insert it into my blog. Once I figure that out I can really get going on editing.

Parametric Modeling

http://parama.sourceforge.net/research/FormFollowsComputation.html

Parametric modeling is a type of modeling that uses ideas, such as sketches, and helps convert them into models. Revit would be an example of parametric modeling. Parametric modeling helps convert ideas by having parameters in which to work. The user can set sections to change according to what changes around it. It also works with objects instead of geometric shapes, so it knows when the object is a door instead of just a rectangle.

In the article, the author also talks about the language of computer programming. He describes it as a non-verbal language like any other art. This is a new concept to me. Usually I think of programming like a math or science, whereas the author talked about it more like literature.

Overall, the article was way over my head at most parts. At some points it did not feel as if I was reading english. When the author did get through to me, it was an interesting article, but for the most part it was a confusing experience.