[P] is for [PARIS]

Professional
In Suzanne’s class this week we learned about professionalism through designing presentation boards for our building project. We each created a design or our board, and as a group we decided on a layout. Overall, out design worked well and was not only practical, but was visually appealing as well.

This is my diagram of hierarchy, it needed to be more professional to compliment the board we were putting together.


Periphery
Periphery is defined as the external boundary of any surface or area. In our studio project we worked with boundaries by replicating the columns of the Propylaia using cardboard. The boundaries of our portal created a feeling of immensity and grandeur, which was so evident in the Propylaia. Apparently, we grasped th concept of boundary well based on our professors' response:
"propylaia : the perpendicular fins shape an experience that has depth and surface variety. we find this to be parallel to the experience of the propylaia. we appreciate that the group explored multiple views in their work. the graphics lack clarity."
(theopusproject.blogspot.com)

Columns are the most common form or architectural "boundaries".


Our portal...the cardboard boundary.


Process
Process was also important in the project we have been working on for drawing class. This is because our presentation board is essentially a compilation of each group members’ work throughout the process of studying each building. I found that the more our group studied the Fergusson building, the better our drawings got. Also throughout the process we went back through and improved on drawings throughout our process to produce a more pleasing final product.

This is an example of my improvement throughout the Ferguson Building study process.





Perspective
I found perspective important this week when reviewing our Portal Panel projects. Our project was overall very successful, but I found that it was even more successful from certain perspectives. For example, from either side, our portal was very dramatic and communicated well. Yet, from the front, it was hard to see the radial effects we used in the cardboard. Depending on the viewer’s perspective the portal communicated differently. I imagined drawing this portal in perspective and considering the station point which is “A fixed point in space representing a single eye of the spectator.” (Ching 202) I realized that the perspective of our portal would change drastically from various station points.

This perspective is not as effective as others


From the side, the portal seems more successful.


Portfolio
Most artists, designers, and writers know that it is important to keep a portfolio. I learned the true importance and value of a portfolio by going to the Design, Art, and Technology Symposium at High Point University. The topic was “Design Matters”. While at HPU we learned about a designer named Alexander Julian who spanned his work starting with clothing design, and then moving into furniture design and even paint. He showed the audience his extensive portfolio, which included many different designs. This was very enlightening to me because I realized that I needed to better prepare my portfolio for future reference.
Here are some pieces of my portfolio marked with corrections. In the future I will be able to avoid mistakes by looking back at my portfolio.

A graded drafting project keeps me from repeating any mistakes.


Overall this week, I think the "P" words were very much about several important traits of a good designer. In the future, I will strive to make all of my work look more professional. I also want to learn to refine my process and better compile a portfolio. This week was very enlightening for me because it allowed me to see what I needed to work on. I am looking forward to using these skills in the future.