The Edge

We finally finished the first installment of our three room project. It was an intense work week, but it was worth it in the end. Here are some photos of the process and then the final.

Sketch model of over the edge

Sketch model of on the edge

Sketch model of in the edge

Pieces to cut out using the scroll saw

Close-up of those pieces; the holes on the corners are to help make the turn better with the saw

The scroll saw and my first cut!

All of the pieces left

Victory with one model!!

One of the models; just the bones

Another of the skeletal models; the light effect is pretty interesting

Putting the level changes in one of the models using chip board

The final "on the edge" model, parts and all!

Final "in the edge" model

Final "over the edge" model

Final presentation

Short Narratives

'On' the Edge

My overall concept in this first room is ‘on the edge’. Upon walking in, walls of different height are flanking the entrance, leaving you no choice but to move forward. There are small glimpses as to what is behind them, but there is a mystery involved, and curiosity is drawing you in. You turn to the right and at the end of the corridor lies an edge of a stair; where could it lead? You have a feeling you are on the edge of seeing what you couldn’t see before. You come to a sleeping area. The walls are short, and when looking over from on top, you see what’s below. However, the other side is not completely revealed. You only see the top portion of a column. So, the entire room is not revealed. You travel down, finding a bathroom under the sleeping area. On the other side, you follow the wall to a food preparing and peaceful sitting place.

'In' the Edge

‘In the edge’ is the statement for this room. Upon walking into it, you find yourself elevated on a sleeping platform and are met with a sense of uneasiness. Though it is an open area, you feel as if you are being pulled every which way. That tension is elaborated by steel cables that form a tightrope-like joinery between the surrounding walls and the two columns set within the room. As you look around, there are several other level changes, all forming diagonal lines, or triangles in the floor. One is in the window corner where there is a meditation area. A food preparing area is located on the opposite side and next to it is a diagonal wall. It closes off the bathing area from the rest of the space. The opening to it begins small and gradually grows larger the further you go in the corner or edge of the room.

'Over' the Edge

In this space, things are not as they seem. First off, you take a step down that was quite unexpected. Then, illumination is coming from the floor, when it’s normally from the ceiling. You notice this column, which you discern as an abstract tree. You realize the floor is representing the leaves or foliage. Your eyes travel up to see the ‘roots’ stretching over the ceiling, at different levels and thicknesses. Around the base are sleeping areas. After this exploration, the stand-alone walls on the edge of the room are a different world and stand in stark contrast to the leafy, lush space. They are bright, crisp, and clean. One wall has the bathing and meditation areas. The other holds the food. The opposition of the two parts relate to going ‘over the edge’. Hatters (mad as) could have a perfectly opposite, upside down day. The next could be on the contrary; vivid, peaceful, and focused. This space defines both of those situations.

Design Auto Biography II

I wanted to tell a little about my background in design thus far. Since I was very young, I have been tagging along with my Dad at a one man (well, woman) design firm. I would help him with his work: painting, installing, moving, fixing, etc. Along with this, I was able to observe the inner workings of the firm. I believe that this is where my love for design came from. Other experiences, especially taking interior design in high school, helped me to realize that this what what I wanted to do as a career. For my senior project, I made a cabinet with the help of my Opa (grandpa). That was a huge learning experience and I actually used the final product for the IARC application; answering the question, what is something you think to be well designed? I then came to UNCG and began my studies. I found a job at Stein Mart over the summer and learned so much, especially about marketing and selling. At the past Furniture Market in High Point, I received the opportunity to help stage the Asian Loft showroom. They then made it available to work the Market; I sold a vase! That was truly a great experience. I am believing to continue design and love it as much now and in the future as I have in the past.

The photo here is of the cabinet I built with Opa. This product of mine is my inspiration for great craft. I put in the hard work and dedication and it definitely shows.

Yes, ideas.

It looks like I have come out of that rut I was in! Here is a parti about my ideas...and yes, some are supposed to be upside down.

Ideas?

I feel that I am in a slump. I have hit a wall of some sort, or is it a solid? Therein lies the answer actually; deciding on what is and is not a solid. There are ideas floating somewhere, waiting to jump or leap (in the case of Nikki) on me. The question is how to get them to come faster. All of this confusion is in my brain at the moment and no doubt I have probably confused you. But the fact is, not all great ideas come when you want them to. They creep up on you when you least expect it and "LIGHTBULB!", magnificence. Whilst all these thoughts were whirling around in my head, I came across these excerpts from books I was leafing through a while ago (sorry they are at weird angles).... and they are, I must admit, so undeniably true.

Design Auto Biography

I wanted to take the time as well to tell a little about my background in design thus far. I have been tagging along with my Dad at a one man (well, woman) design firm since I was two years old. I would help him with the work he was doing for her (the designer): painting, installing, moving, fixing, etc. Along with this, I was able to observe the inner workings of the firm. I believe that this is where my love for design came from and other experiences helped me to understand that. In high school I thought it would be fun to take an interior design class. That was where I realized this is what I want to do. For my senior project, I made a cabinet with the help of my Opa (grandpa). I used the final product for the application to attend IARC; answering the question, what is something you think to be well designed? I then came to UNCG and began studying design. I found a job at Stein Mart over the summer and learned so much, especially about marketing and selling. At the past Furniture Market in High Point, I received the opportunity to help stage Asian Loft’s showroom. They then made it available to work the Market; I sold a vase! That was a great experience. I believe to continue design and love it as much now as I did in the past.

The photo here is of the cabinet I built. One of my goals this semester is that everything I make have great craft. This is my inspiration for great craft. It does take hard work and dedication, but the end result looks fantastic, and I am proud of what I accomplished in the end.

Goals.

Hello again! I am back, ready to start a new year and believing it will be ten times better then the last. To start, I want to list out the goals (focusing on design) I believe to achieve this year:

• Better Time Management (I think I am doing well so far, I have read half of what is due on Friday and have written this tonight which is due on Wednesday!)
• Work whole-heartily on my work even if I am not into the task
• Work at how I communicate ideas, which incorporates:

o Drawing
o Rendering
o Layout

• Good craft in ALL endeavors, not only wood working
• Ask questions and get involved (specifically during class). I think of great things to say after the fact.
• Learn to be a strong leader. Not be afraid to speak up and say what needs to be said, specifically in groups.

My strengths as a designer (that I will continue to work on) are as follows:

• Anything digital
• Carrying out directions and following through.
• Choosing colors/patterns that work well with each other

I was told a few more strengths I have:

• Organized
• Attention to detail
• My design style is solid, but curvy and graceful, relating almost to Art Nouveau

Our class took a personality quiz today which was enlightening. It put us into a line with three areas; conservers, pragmatists, and originators. I was in the middle with the pragmatists. We are the mediators that balance out situations. We share leadership willfully but at the sometimes will take everyone agreeing over having a great final product. It was great to see my classmates’ positions in line. It was shown that we need each of the areas to contribute for the best outcome. This was such a great idea for us as a group; I hope to keep using it in the future.