refresh my attitude

Today is Friday and we had our usual design studies lecture at 10.00am as we do every Friday morning, but today's was different. A girl called Lauren Currie  AKA ( red jotter) gave us a chat on how she communicated and created a service design through the public voice to assist social and culture change.

As much i love Johnathan Baldwins lectures i felt myself being totally engaged in what she had to say.  what she was saying in comparising to the tasks that we are given make total sense.  As much as i enjoy the tasks i felt before that they were not really relevant to what i am currently studying, which is interior design.    

But Lauren made me realise that i need to make my ides more open and get involve in different things.  As what i study doesn't just involve designing a space, it is about relating to peoples needs and wants and listening to them.  

'it is not how well you can draw it is about how well you can communicate your message'

as Visualisation is a powerful way to communicate to people.

Before i felt myself slightly lazy on and didn't really blog as much as i should, and was also aware of this.  Today i have decided that things will change. Today i am going to start communicating through my blog and the connection that i have.  I shall talk more about the stuff that i am involved in and projects i am working on. Document everything and be more organised, so that i can find things.  

As i looked around i noticed something extraordinary.  As i felt myself engaged in Lauren's lecture i noticed everyone else was, people were writing constantly, more people were asking questions and at the end she was given large all rounder of an applause.   

So the first thing i have did when i left the lecture was buy a new diary, one that i can write in, not just to keep my life organised but to reflect on my day to day experiences. 

Assignment 2: what image means                                                                 

                                                                                  

These three images were the images carefully selected by the group. After thought i would pos them up of Facebook as there are not many people i really know on Facebook or speak to often, i left a comment below if anyone would be able to look as these three images and tell me what they think is going on in them. I never placed them in any particular order and just let the power of social networking commence.
To my suprise many people got involved. I found that different people showed different results. Some people would group the 3 images together, and give a story or some deep meaning behind them, other would tell a story for each image where as some people just simply said one phrase to connect the pictures together.  Here are some of the examples i was given.

 'As time passed and the days became shorter, the oranges, reds and copper reminisent of autumn slowly gave way to the icy chill of winter air and the bleakness of the snow that now covered everything in its path.'

Colder and colder, the little leaf started to curl and wriggle, such a strange sensation! How much longer should he lay upon the fluffy hills? Hours, days, perhaps even weeks would go by, how long had it been already? Then, laughter as he saw shapes moving towards him. "oh what a beautiful leaf" he heard them say! Soon he was scooped up into a warm gloved hand, oh it was so warm and toasty! "Lets frame it and put it above the fireplace" Ah, forever warm and forever red, thought the little red leaf! He knew now more than ever, that this time, it really was going to be okay...

 had started to snow, and it hadnt stopped for ours. The snow covered the brutal land with beautiful twinkling powder, softening the jagged sticks sticking up from its hilly pores. With each flake the landscape became a little more welcoming. I stared through the glass and sighed, and reached for my dads old coat.

The little leaf had heard of this fluffy white powder that coated the land ever so gently but never in its whole life had it seen such grace! It had clung on and turned into a beautiful fire red leaf, but the little leaf was loosing its grip. Redder and redder did he get, more and more did the wind howl. Then... weightlessness, drifing, ever so gently did he dance and ever so gently did it land on the sparkly, fluffy powder, OH it was cold!

he leaf clung on for dear life, hoping and praying that the harsh winter wind wouldnt claim it. Tighter and tighter, it clung ever so fierce to the barren branches. Then, as the wind settled, the little leaf turned golden red. The little leaf let out an ever so contented sigh - it was going to be okay

.

TIME LEAVES FOOTPRINTS....

Most people spoke about time moving on and a brief insight to the seasons. so we thought as a group we would play on this and a add a picture of a sunset and the word four. Here is what we came up with.

Old age and death

clocks- times running out in life

snow - long lonely road

leaves- new chapter

water - peace

Clocks-Racing against time
Leaves -Warmth
Snow - What lies ahead?
Beach - Tranquility

four seasons

Changes in time

                                                                                                  live life before your time runs out and it's too late

                                                                          timing is everything

                                                                                                   Time out

                                                                                                   four seasons

i noticed the majority of people mentioned the four seasons, or something to do with time moving on. also i noticed the older people would speak about running out of time, which is mabey something they are reflecting on themselves.

An alternative to walls

Soo currently we have been given a new project for this semester and the brief wasto design an urban hub for a company Called SEPA. The ideas i have came up with are Earth, fire, water and wind, the natural four elements of the world

I found a quote here

'' The four elements are the building bricks of the universe. many believe that they are also part of basic structures themselves'

In my design i shall relate everything  to these natural elements including materials.
Soo i was thinking what can i relate to air and came across this interesting sculpture called a Hypoosurface wall. Hyposurface has come up with a wall that can react to sound and movement as well as spell out words, make pictures etc

not sure if it is very sustainable, but pretty cool none the less.

You are what you wear/ buy/ sit on/ sleep on and talk to!!!

So in this assignment we were assigned  a partner, someone who we didn't know from our lectures, someone from another course and who we probably have never spoke to.  We both had to exchange pictures of growing up recent pictures and older pictures, without discussing anything about the pictures. Furthermore we had to study and analyse them, make a judgement on what interests they have, tastes and may be influences in their life's from the pictures given.

I was assignment  to a boy who studies graphic design called Gavin Borthwick and here are the pictures he gave me

From this this is what i came up with!!

Taste:
Gavin looks quite athletic due to his build, This suggest he likes to keep himself fit and healthy by attending the gym and eating well. It also appears from some of the pictures that he enjoys to participate and interested in a variety of different sports as in one pictures looks like he is playing rugby this picture he chose to show also may mean he plays it often and is a passion of his.
His favourite colour may be blue or red as items of clothing seemed to appear in a lot of his pictures-excluding the school uniform.

I recon he is a bit of a lads lad enjoys time with friends and is quite outgoing, mabey a bit of a womaniser due to the fact he has some pictures of woman in their underwear right across from his bed, and above his study desk placed at eye level. ( then again what young lads dn't have pics of women)

Influences: Due to the fact i have assumed he plays rugby i recon influences in his life may be people like Johhny Wilkinson or Richie Veron but thats just an assumption
There seem to be a couple of pictures of him and his brother ,which suggest they have a close relationship.

Also situated directly above his bed there is a flag shaped Banner with the New jersey nets basket ball team and below, The Dallas cowboys an American football Team.
This is on vocal point as you directly walk into the room which suggests it is major influence to in his life.

Posessions: His dress sense seems too be quite casual but sporty when younger, but as he has gotten older he has developed his own style ( liking the tartan scarf ) He likes to show of his physic and is mabey a little bit of a poser with his tight t shirts and prob owns a few in many different colours, overall not a bad thing just likes to take pride in his apperance.


Environment: Due to the minimal design in the space in his room it appears he lives away from home, in student Accommodation. Generally a tidy space with not much colour, adding his own personal touches with the posters and influences in his life which he personalises the space with. His desk is slightly messy, with things scattered, but this does not necessary make him an unorganised person, but the many different items suggest he focuses on different things at the same time ( if that makes sense)

After this we met up and exchange thoughts on our analysis, apparently i was pretty much accurate other than the fact that the American football team was an influence in his life as it was a banner only for show, which i found rather strange!! may be it was just a gift from someone who means something to him i never thought to ask at the time.
He also laughed ta the fact i said he was may be a bit of a womaniser and poser, but openly admitted it


Soo here are an example the picture i sent Gavin!!

and this is what he came up with 

Definate party and social animal!

Loves to interact with people even from an early age.
A very family orientated person as it looks like your having a great time baking with your sister or other family member.
The Image of you and your friends sitting down watching tv, shows that you perhaps enjoy a socialising pre drink before going out in town or suchlike.

I assume you enjoy to travel as one of your photos looks like a summer trip in another country.
Certainly loves to dance (especially in the pole picture haha). I get the impression that when your either sober or have a drink in you, you still like to let loose and have a great time.
Your old school photo continuous my perception that you love to socialise and take care in friends.
I also feel that you are not quiet and shy. Your interaction with classmates identify you enjoy team building and are not afraid to take lead.

Dramatic changes in your hair colour shows you have a good style and definitely not afraid of any dynamic style changes.
Your dress sense has changed from your younger photos to the more recent ones. The plain coloured clothes from your childhood photo has a contrasting image to your recent, more adventurous and trendy clothing. Your trilby hat strengthens my point too.

Most of it was Near abouts right but i feel i could have mabey sent him some better pictures about things that influence me and my activities and interests and he said he struggled from the material i gave him.  The only thing that he said that wasn't at all right was that the i may have been some sort of class captain or leader in a group at school, which i dn't recall that i was, altho i am a very well known person at home and know a lot of people.  You could mabey even say i was a connector.  Also he assumed the girl was my sister, but in fact i am an only child and she is my little cousin, but we are very close.

I really enjoyed this assignment it was something different and good to exchange and reflect on what they other person said about you. I also tried to reflect back on the book snoop and look beyond what was in front of me.

Activity 4

Article A Building for Exellence

The main principle of the project was for  the  Scottish Govermnent  to research on how to bring  together a range of perspectives on Learning Environments. By  looking at how to improve and show  different approaches to space, using  practical design implications of curriculum requirements which provide better schools for the future, that meet the needs for the students and teachers. To find opportunities within the curriculum for learning from the surrounding spaces. 

Within the publications You will find articles explaining the different ideas and proposals which capsules’  Building of Excellence, launched on the 29^th March 2007 it collaborated educationalist and architects for discussions on opportunities for the future. 

The publication is separated into two broad themes , Theory and Practise. The  different  articles firstly starting of with theory in the magazine, include views from  ‘Maggi  Allan’ the Chair of curriculum review programme she  describes the demands  of Curriculum  of Excellence, a document which published in November 2004 following a  national debate on education in Scotland, she describes the needs and  demands  that  the curriculum of excellence is making on the design of school space and suggests how these might be addressed. The secondary sources used were 1. The Curriculum review group (2004) The curriculum of excellence, the Scottish executive.’ 2 The curriculum review programme Board (2006) A curriculum of excellence: progress and proposals, the Scottish Executive.    Where as  ‘Alistair Seaman’ programme Manager looks at aiming for excellence in the school ground external space. An example of a secondary source used The house of commons education and skills committee (2005) ‘Education outside the classroom’. Where as   Professor John Worthington looks at the role of the schools in supporting the community. Finally ‘Dr ken Fisher’ looks and researches into the link between pedagogy space and learning environments, looking at developing spacial literacy. While John Worrington , co founder of the design firm explores the relationships between the schools and the community and how they can be linked together. The secondary sources  in relevance to Dr ken Fishers researched on many secondary sources of information on linking pedagogy, one example of this is ‘CBASSE’(2000)how people learn, brain, mind, experience and School:  expanded edition commotion of behaviour and social sciences and education.  Explaining the behavioural philology in how the mind learns.

  Moving on to the Practise ‘Anne Cunningham the educational consultant  of the lighthouse Scotland Centre for Architecture provides an account of senses of space Building excellence, a collaboration of projects currently taking place in 5 local authorities throughout Scotland as part of the Building of excellence programme.  Fiona Duggan and Susan Steubing ( design consultants  who ran innovative workshops in May 2007 give accounts of the process and principles they used and look at ways in which they could be taken further, A primary source is Stubing, S. ‘Return on learning’: Managing the symbiotic and accessing tertiary education.  relation between space  Fiona look at models for balancing different design process within a design process, while Susan assists groups of Architects and students in understanding their needs of a ‘typical student during a normal school day.  The aim is to provide a framework in which the major issues can be discussed rather than detailed solutions.

‘School building programme scrapped in the latest round of cuts.’

The main purpose of the article is to Explain how On Monday July the 5^th 2010 Micheal Gove ( the secretary of state for education) announced  the Coalition Government Had suspended  Labours school building programme, Which also effected new housing projects, school swimming pools and eco-towns.

They had suspended lots of projects for 715 schools due to the tendency of spending cuts.  The main argument  the author is addressing in the article is why these cuts were made and if we ever had the money in the first place, she  puts this  forward by using facts, documents and  quotations  to back up the argument, for example:  The figures show that a further £1.5 billion in spending committees which cut £1bn From the schools budgets.  The Education Secretary announced that the £55bn  20 year ‘Bulding schools for the future’ programme was axed altogether, some 706 new school building and services who already signed had contracts signed would go ahead, but 715 more school Building would be scrapped. These fact give the reader an incite  is to how much money has been lost in these projects and cuts and how many schools will suffer due to this decision.
The main assumptions underlying the authors thinking is given from the sources and quotes she has taken from them and using them to support the arguments given, for example The Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said he ‘identified £1.5 bn in spending committees made in the dying days of Labour Government that were not properly funded, they either relied on underspending in other areas or drawing on the reverse, money that was not ultimately available and would require further borrowing to fund.’  Suggesting that Labour knew about these lack of funds but only let the problem grow further, rather than trying to resolve the issue and  the reason for these extreme cuts.  The keys concepts in the article are justified using many different sources who show a negative view on Labours actions and how much a of a mess the money situation was ‘ A whitehall mentioned ‘The whole process of deciding how much, Building schools for the future programme would be scrapped had been ‘’bloody chaos’’ and the weeks of uncertainty  had cost schools, local authorities and construction industries time and money.’  The writer  dose not share her own option or view on addressing the problem, in fact she doesn’t really give any opinion on the matter, but she only uses facts and quotes in he article, from a readers point of view the quotes and statements she has picked underlines the main assumptions of what point she is trying to put across to about these cuts to the reader.
The author also ends the article with a quote from the Chief secretary to the treasury  Danny Alexander  concluding that: The reality is that these unfunded spending promises should never have been made, because the money was never there to pay for them. We did not make this mess, but we are cleaning it up."

To summaries, in comparing the article in B contradicts the aims and goals for article A.  As in journal A the Government is looking to better schools for the future by recognizing opportunities and researching in to different ways and techniques for school designs,  that can be used to improve education for the future. where as in article B the Government is axing the programme all together. Another article which i came across was in Fx magazine,  in 2010 issue no 189 in his article he talks about the scale an ambition of Building Schools for the future (BSF)  and how the Government have put a lot of cut backs to the projects. ‘ while other counties recognise the benefits of top class education facilities, the uk is looking for quick saves at the expense of the future. As opposed to Article A and B Curtis voices his opinion, where as the others just state other peoples opinions , research and facts.  Giving his opinion and concerns on not only the projects being cut but the ‘design standards’ in general for the education sector. ‘ we are greatly dishearted, by the comments from the Coalition Government Minister as his views are ‘worrying misplaced’ while ‘shiny’ and ‘sparkly designs’ ( his own words) is not the answer, which no one would ever say that is it – well design environments  for schools are necessary for the curium for learning.  Finally i conclude my my opinion is it necessary to build better schools for the future or should we focus more on the standards of curriculum more? Would the Building schools for the future project really help to improve the way children learn? Or is it just a ‘waste of money?’ I strongly disagree with this as it is crucial to have full advantage of faculties within school campuses needed and BSF will recognise the full advantages that school designs for the future can give, whether it be using pedagogy and linking it with space, or recognising opportunities for learning beyond the school walls and looking at what is available around the schools enviroment.

Bibliography

Berry, J.(2010)’ Building for education what lies ahead’ –FX magazine issue no, 198 pg65-66

Talks about the scale and ambition of building schools for the future (BSF)and how the government have put a lot of cut backs to the projects.

‘while other countries recognise the benefits top-class education facilities, the UK is looking for quick saves at the expense of the future’

Curtis, P(July2010) ‘School building programme scrapped in the latest round of cuts’   The Guardian, Article

Explaining how the coalition Government cuts core findings for the project ‘Building schools for the future’ axing the project scheme  altogether  due to ‘massive overspends’ and delays. This gives us evidence of figures and numbers, proving why the projects were axed.

Fisher, K. (2003) ‘A critical pedagogy of space’, doctoral dissertation, School of education, Flinders university; Fisher, K.(2005)’Linking Pedagogy and Space’ ,DET Victoria Melbourne : http//www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edu library/public/assetman/bf/Linking_Pedagogy_and_ space

Dr Ken Fisher of Rubida research explores the links between pedagogy, space and learning environments.  Looking at developing ‘special literacy’  by conducting chairs chair into an interior space in many positions and looking at the behaviour philology of each layout also backing up his evidence with case studies Giving the context of the project in relation to the discipline trends in teaching and learning, the educational psychology of it, giving examples of specific proposed pedagogy activities, showing keys plans and design features and giving there evaluations and weaknesses.  The study gives you demonstrations of his perspectives,  layouts and scaled  plans of his proposed ideas, this makes you visualise the space and see in the space in 2d form and also describing different types of spaces and special qualities that support  learning in different situations, whether it be for socialized labs or group learning spaces.

 

Furniture Design- One heart

Today we had our final group presentation in the studio for semester one.  I feel that it well very well and am rather pleased with the final outcome.  I think we all collaborated  and worked together well as a team as everyone put in 100% effort. 

The brief was to design a piece of furniture in a group, my group consisting of Fawn, Duncan and Yasmin.  In our early stages of research we decided that we wanted our chair to be not only functional and comfortable but sculptural also, as we progressed in our research and development that we gathered together and found a common ground on curves and bent wood.  This shape reminded us all of the female form and as we started to look into it a little bit more we decided the contrast between the male and female form would be the key factor to our design.  We look into many different designers such as Henry Moore and looked at the many different sculptures he produced who’s forms are usually abstracted forms he female figure and Frank o Ghery, who had a contemporary look on forming and bending wood into folded curves. Until we finally came across the Lakshamna Temple in India.  Temple frames hundreds of different sexually explicit carvings based on Ancient Indian  Karma Sutra.  If you look closely at the figurines you can see the female body is usually wrapped around the male form, which accentuates the female curve.  We all agreed and came to the conclusion that it was a strong image and produced a natural flowing organic form. As we gained inspiration form the Temple we wanted to focus on the male as being a strong, rigid component  and supporting the female being a cured sculptured form.

The Laksmana Temple, Cad Drawing

Shown in an Exhibition Enviroment

Or displayed in a home

                                             

School designs for the Future!!

By using cross search i was able to find and locate a multiple range of information from different books and articles on School Design for the future.  The only problem i found about it was trying to get the books, I would look at the availability and discover that the copy of the book I wanted  was already taken and so I I couldn't look at it, this may be due to people choosing similar subjects of interest.

Looking into designing schools fro the future was very interesting.  I looked at many case studies and research from different architects and companies and examples of their different types and  proposals.  Looking at the psychology of how pedagogy can be used in a space and  discovering how it effects the way of learning. Also looking at the cuts of expenses that the coalition government have made toward education for the future and how it will effect the projects.

Architect and design Scotland (Feb 2008)’Sense of Place –Learning Towns’ video

http://www.smarterplaces.org/index.php/smarterplaces/article/senses-of-place-learning-towns

A short video which shows the research from 5 different architect firms and recognising opportunities for learning beyond the schools walls, looking at what is available around the schools environment . I found the video useful as it made you think outside the box about design and look at how the environment around it and how designers would use it to their advantage to benefit the  schools and the community surrounding it. It also gives you a visual demonstration, using maps and pictures, te audio makes sense the space and how it would work

Berry, J.(2010)’ Building for education what lies ahead’ –FX magazine issue no, 198 pg65-66

Talks about the scale and ambition of building schools for the future (BSF)and how the government have put a lot of cut backs to the projects.

‘while other countries recognise the benefits top-class education facilities, the UK is looking for quick saves at the expense of the future’

Curtis, P(July2010) ‘School building programme scrapped in the latest round of cuts’   The Guardian, Article

Explaining how the coalition Government cuts core findings for the project ‘Building schools for the future’ axing the project scheme  altogether  due to ‘massive overspends’ and delays. This gives us evidence of figures and numbers, proving why the projects were axed.

Alexander said: "The reality is that these unfunded spending promises should never have been made, because the money was never there to pay for them. We did not make this mess, but we are cleaning it up."

Fisher, K. (2003) ‘A critical pedagogy of space’, doctoral dissertation, School of education, Flinders university; Fisher, K.(2005)’Linking Pedagogy and Space’ ,DET Victoria Melbourne : http//www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edu library/public/assetman/bf/Linking_Pedagogy_and_ space

Dr Ken Fisher of Rubida research explores the links between pedagogy, space and learning environments.  Looking at developing ‘special literacy’  by conducting chairs chair into an interior space in many positions and looking at the behaviour philology of each layout also backing up his evidence with case studies Giving the context of the project in relation to the discipline trends in teaching and learning, the educational psychology of it, giving examples of specific proposed pedagogy activities, showing keys plans and design features and giving there evaluations and weaknesses.  The study gives you demonstrations of his perspectives,  layouts and scaled  plans of his proposed ideas, this makes you visualise the space and see in the space in 2d form and also describing different types of spaces and special qualities that support  learning in different situations, whether it be for socialized labs or group learning spaces.

Ling, R. (2008) ‘Learning lessons’, FX magazine issue 171 P94-102

Looking at how the building schools for the future programme is providing inspirational infrastructures, they examine the design details that make a real difference to learning, giving examples of different schools from different areas  designed by different architects.  This is key evidence cause it has been tested and proven that the product works.

The curriculum review group(2004)’A curriculum of excellence’ , the Scottish executive www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/11/20178/45862

The Scottish Executive(2003) ‘Educating For Excellence’: choice and opportunity the executive response to the national debate, the Scottish executive : www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2003/01/16226/17176

The curriculum of excellence review programme board (2006) ‘A curriculum of excellence’: progress and proposals, the Scottish executive: www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2006/03/22090015/0

Describing the demands of ‘Curriculum Of Excellence ‘ is making on school space, suggesting how these might be addressed.  This is useful as it is looking at evidence on how to improve school, showing their aims of education in Scotland recognising the importance of learning outside the classroom including the educational benefits of effective interaction between the school and the community through projects and studies.

"War and paint!! The Diary of the modern World"

In 1998/2009 the artist Xavier Pick spent 6 weeks in Basra with the British, American and Iraq troops.

He was given 24hour access to the army in which during the trip he produced thousands of sketches and paintings of things he witnessed and documented his experience on canvas and audio.

In his paintings he captures the life in Iraq at a cross road for both the British army and iraqs people. Giving an insight into the deception of modern military conflict

"People refer to me as a war artist," said Pick, who spent six weeks with military forces in Basra. "I prefer to think of myself as an artist who just happens to work in conflict zones."