The semester is finally over!

I can’t believe it, but it’s true. Fall 2010 has come to an end. Many thanks to our professor, Nicole, for her help and feedback this semester, and to my classmates for their kind comments. I feel like I learned a lot in this class, although I think I may have gotten a bit more out of it had we met in person each week. It was, at times, challenging to go beyond the tutorials and learn more than what was expected when it came to the design software programs. All the same, I’m much better off than I was in September : )

Before signing off for good, I thought I’d leave everyone with one final design-related link. While this class may have been painful for some, check this link out and consider how much worse it could have been and thank your lucky stars for computers, the Internet, and Adobe, God of Graphic Design.

That’s all, folks. The show is over…

Happy holidays!!!

Chateau Grimaldi

While studying abroad in the South of France, I was fortunate enough to visit—on several occasions—an old chateau in a small coastal town called Cagnes-sur-Mer. This castle on a hill, known as Chateau Grimaldi, was one of my favorite finds on the coast.

 

In one room are about 40 paintings of a Parisian cabaret singer, Suzy Solidor, popular in France in the 1930s. The paintings, all done by different artists, are such a captivating sight together. Each painting is so unique, yet so obviously illustrating the same subject. At the time and, again, now, it really makes me think about different viewpoints and how perspective differs from person to person and place to place. It’s amazing that one subject can be seen in so many different ways—change the light, change the angle, change the outfit. In a way, it reminds me of our latest project. By zooming in or out, what is seen of 3D object can change dramatically, and may or may not even be recognizable. 

Anyway, just something to consider. Thoughts?  : )

Artists That I Heart

Pablo Picasso – A eccentric Spanish painter. Founder of the Cubist movement. An inspiration to artists today all across the globe. Why I love Picasso? The puzzle-like shapes, the distinctive lines, the bold colors, the bizarre caricatures. 















Pierre-Auguste Renoir – A beautiful French painter. Style changed from Impressionism to classicism during his era. Celebrated beauty and the feminine sensuality. Famous for his focus on people in intimate situations and his paintings of female nudes. Why I love Renoir? The soft touches of color, the unique brush strokes, the picturesque scenery, the close-up view into his subject’s soul.

 



















Auguste Rodin – An inspired French sculptor. Criticized during him time as his most original work departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory, modeled the human body with realism, and celebrated individual character and physicality. Why I love Rodin? The detailed curves, the textured surfaces, the size and scale, the character and emotion.

Edgar Degas – A celebrated French artists, famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. One of the founders of Impressionism. Portraits are notable for their psychological complexity and depiction of human isolation. In many paintings dancers were shown backstage or in rehearsal, emphasizing their status as professionals doing a job. Why I love Degas? The beautiful dancers and stage scenes, the delicate use of color, the bold brush strokes.

 

Paul Signac – A fabulous French painter. Helped to develop the pointillist style. Many of his paintings are of the French coast. He loved to paint the water. Why I love Signac? The pastel colors, the beautiful scenery, the interesting textures. See my first blog post on Paul Signac.

Project 5: Google SketchUp

This was a fun project for me, but it was not without its challenges. The tutorials were easy to follow and the program interface was logical and, for the most part, user-friendly; it just took some getting used to : )

Unfortunately, I'm not able to upload images of my project for some reason (technical difficulties) BUT my design is my dream bedroom - a tiki hut with an over-sized bed taking up the entire space, perfectly positioned on my favorite plot of beach in the world in beautiful Antibes, France. I swear, I could be happy forever with just a bed and roof over my head if I could live in Antibes permanently. It is the most amazing place on Earth!

I tried to play with different shapes, colors, and textures, without getting in too far over my head. On the roof and support poles, I used brown wood textures. On the screens and headboard, I used lattice-like fence materials. I designed a comforter for the bed and placed a few pillows on the bed to make it more realistic. Without rendering these pieces, they still look a little boxy and don’t have the proper light applied, so I’m hoping to have someone at work teach me to render this in Podium soon.

I’m so happy we got to do this project. For work, we are having a company in India model our designer-created furniture pieces in 3D using SketchUp for the software program being built, so it’s nice to now have a better understand of the process.

Anyway, I hope you like my creation : )