proposal

entry 9 "interface"

entry 8 "maps and collapsing information"

A particular discipline of interest in design to me is maps. Since I was a kid i have thoroughly enjoyed looking at them, and always have been intrigued by them. World maps and globes  are my favorite, and the fantasy of different locations is what is so fascinating about them.
The essential components of all maps, diagrams, schematics and others rely on collapsing space. Collapsing space is a very fundamental human activity after all, because which we try to simplify the natural world through artificial means. Maps though, like many narratives, are subject to perspective, one great example is Guy Debord's "The Naked City" in which the locations on the map of Paris  were entirely subject to his own perspective,  understanding, experience and most importantly, purpose. Nevertheless it is a map which minimizes an area for facilitating comprehension.
On a larger scale,  older maps can reveal much information about the history of a location which exemplifies the capacity of visual literacy. The second map shown is of Mexico from 1847 entitled "Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Méjico", which represent the boundaries of Méjico, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Misisipi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Tejas. The information given from maps like this, and maps used today are often unrecognized for their ability to simplify complex spaces. I think that maps relationship to design is important because it quite literally defines what a designers purpose is (utilizing information through simplification). And maybe my love for maps could substantiate my own understanding and purposes as a designer

entry 7 "painting and photography"

This is Ellen Phelan, I saw some of her paintings this past spring at the Gasser Grunet gallery in Chelsea.  Although most of her paintings are pretty conventional as far as subject matter, Phelan's approach and method uses the effects of photography with painting and explores them using  layers and graphic details, which generate feelings of memory or nostalgia. Phelan's work successfully exhibits a use of multiple media that ultimately defines her subject matter through this process. Also because this subject matter is linked to ideas of memory it acknowledges the significance of communication, or perhaps more of a disconnection in cognizance in her case. For my own purposes her work is important because I was initially attracted to the formal aspects of her work,  and through that I discovered that her process also wonderfully accomplishes the same techniques I have been considering.

entry 6

an exercise in design class mapping information

 and some thinking inspiration from john cage 

entry 5

entry 4

I have been searching for artists that are reaching into different media to make coherent work. This is the work of Patrick Winfield, he uses polaroids and contextualizes them in a grid to create new images and perspectives. This work is similar to that of David Hockney and reminiscent to cubism, defining 3 dimensions on 2 dimensional surface by compositing images.  Winfield is traditionally a graphic designer, and he uses these sensibilities like layout, form while still maintaining other traditional aesthetics related to fine art. Also he does not qualify these works as collage, though much of what he is doing has the same practice, its unique in the way that with the polaroids are defined by their shape. (which ultimately defines the system, although the uniqueness of the work compared to similar work is  the grid).