Expectations:
The designer will create a historically visual examination of the creation and utilization of the influential, revoltionary art school, the Bauhaus. Investigation of the origin, notable professors, and influences that the Bauhaus has had on art education today, are expected to be presented in a manner that utilizes imagery, typography, concept, and experimentation. The information should be presented in a manner that will allow the viewer to follow along with a history of events and understand the impact of the modern day art institution. A sense of conceptual and informative aesthetic should be presented in a format that will represent the designer’s voice and understanding of the Bauhaus aesthetic.
Any and all avenues should be explored in the investigation of the Bauhaus. The designer’s reaction to the Bauhaus and the respective aesthetic should be visually demonstrated. An abstracted idea of the ideals of the Bauhaus should be evident through both viewer discovery and language development. From those ideals the designer should present the effect that the Bauhaus has on their work. A positive or negative perception may be gathered from this aesthetic, but should be presented in a manner that is informative.
Concept:
The goal of this format was to communicate the important figures and motifs of the Bauhaus and then to break these entities apart. Through the use of a form than can be manipulated in a way that will abstract the colors and compositions, the realization of this format is one that is open to interpretation and decided form. The use of both positive and negative space played a role in the development of this structure.
This was the first step for the selection process of the NPDA designer + illustrator groups. Each participant was tasked with the assignment of creating an accordian folded format that responded to one single concept: grass.
The concept of my structure is to utilize both geometric and organic forms in a manner that creates an interesting juxtaposition, while creating something that can be integrated into the surrounding environment. I believe that my structures will react in a very positive way to the surrounding areas, by activating the environment, but also becoming apart of the natural elements. Another element of my structure is that the open shapes of the inner parts of the sign frame the surrounding area. The environment becomes part of my sign and is therefore activated and an integral part of my structure.
In dealing with the realization of my structure through physical development I have decided that I will be able to reach the size that I would like. The predefined settings of our source of output, ponoko.com, will allow me to create at my current intended size. An important aspect of my structure will be the encompassing layers, along with color. I still have not decided on the final color, even though my current thoughts are leaning towards green. I plan to utilize acrylic, felt, and possible others layers within my final maquette. Some sort of metal would add a nice texture into my current combination, but I am particularly interested in some of the lighting effects that are available through ponoko.com. The use of materials such as felt and acrylic are inexpensive options, but metals and/or lights would add more to the overall cost of production.
Examples of my structure in an environment:
