Process Document 5.2

This module has heightened how I see new technology. Rather than discovering something that 'seems cool' I now wonder how it can be of use to my design process. This module has opened my eyes to how I view simplicity in my design process and has aided me to consider how I can better my workflow. One big setback in this module has been time, with a busy schedule at times I have felt I have not been able to apply myself to the module as such, but in the same vein, having limited time has led me to question my design process and how I can make it more efficient.

Simplicity Through Technology

As stated in my first visual framework, every new avenue I have explored in this module has been considered in accordance to how that technology makes things simpler in relation to what it is for through Maeda's laws of simplicity. Within this however, is also my reflections on my experience with the technology or software and how I can interact with it to aid my workflow or enhance my outcomes.

Maeda’s Laws of Simplicity: Time and Knowledge

In simplest turns I understand Maeda’s laws of simplicity to explain, for the two laws I have decided resonate best with me, that: * Less waiting feels more simple. * The more you know, the simpler things are. Throughout the module I have used Figma to document my thoughts and observations regarding

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Inclusive Futures

The first brief surrounded researching existing new technologies and they could be implemented into a campaign to raise awareness for neurodivergents in public spaces.

Inclusive Futures: Awareness Campaign For Neurodiversity In Public Spaces

I took great time with brief in considering hitting a demographic that needed raised awareness of this issue the most. My first thought, was the education system. Neurodiversity in children is something, that though is more widely recognised than it ever has been, is still a prevalent issue in teachers,

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Through this research task I gained a further insight into the capabilities of new technology, and it certainly got the ball rolling with criticising and analysing technology and its capabilities.

Emerging Technologies and improving the Design Process

Following on from this, the next prompt was to consider how new technologies could enhance the design process of an existing completed project. I took this as an opportunity to look at the first brief I completed for university, a wayfinding system. This design I created was something I am still fond of, and felt I was given an opportunity to enhance something I was already happy with.

Emerging Technologies: Using technology to improve the Design Process

Emerging technologies can greatly alter the design process, in many regards, making the process not only easier, but more innovative. After experimenting with the Hyperspace AR app, the capabilities it has to track the environment shows a great advancement in AR technology.
Paid softwares or greater developed ones could make

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Following on from this path was the 6x6 Briefs. This prompted me to think of a way in which a technology could be utilised not in my own work, but in it's own project. I thought about the technology that had genuinely had baffled me in how it worked, and interestingly, it was one of the most simple tricks of light- The Pepper's Ghost effect. From this, I discussed how the power of light is often overlooked when observing a space, and how an exhibit surrounding it can show to an audience how powerful light can be.

Transforming a Space with Projection

Inspired by both Leeds light night and Liverpool’s River of light, my design comes from emphasising how light changes a space. I felt this could be relevant to three of the Briefs. To present an audience with an empty room, but evoke different feelings through projection. Not only does it

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Workflow Enhancements

A big part of exploring developing and new technologies is the enhancement it can have on the workflow. One brief surrounded reflecting on my own workflow, and the steps I go through to complete a project, this built a self awareness in my graphic design experience, and my experience with new and emerging technologies.

In this post, I talk about what new technologies I can indulge in to improve my workflow and optimise creativity.

Workflow Enhancements

My workflow follows a similar schedule everytime. 1) Music. One thing I have found is pivotal for me to stay focussed is having something on in the background. I have noticed, particularly in University, that I struggle to keep focus unless I have a clear path ahead of me. Music

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Evolution of Digital Art

Following on from this, it led me to begin thinking about how technology has aided other elements of my creative ideas through time, and how technology has evolved from it. This similarly came from using Wacom tablets during an animation workshop.

Evolution of Digital Art

Digital Art is something I spent so much time transfixed by as a child, from the age of seven I was using digital drawing tablets. Through this, I have found it interesting to watch the technological development of drawing tablets. My first experiences of Digital Art, was MS Paint. I

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3D Modelling

After considering workflow enhancements, came experimenting in Cinema4D. Here we initially touched on 3D modelling red and white blood cells with scope to then animate them into a scene of them travelling down an artery. The modelling side of this was relatively basic, working with spheres and adjusting settings on them to turn them into cells. From my experience with Cinema4D, I thought it a good idea to explore other 3D modelling softwares, like Blender and the newly released Adobe Neo. I discuss more about my experience with cinema 4D in my animation blog post bookmarked under the Animation header.

Adobe Neo vs Blender

As someone who loves the outcomes of 3D modelling, but has never been able to dedicate the time to learning the complex softwares that require it, Adobe Neo’s beta release was hugely exciting to me. 3D modelling softwares such as blender and Cinema4D utilise a language exclusive to modelling. To

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Using Adobe Neo to Create Mockups

In this post: Emerging Technologies: Using technology to improve the Design ProcessEmerging technologies can greatly alter the design process, in many regards, making the process not only easier, but more innovative. After experimenting with the Hyperspace AR app, the capabilities it has to track the environment shows a great advancement

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Animation

During the workshops with Jon, animation was a key element of these, alongside 3D modelling. After experimenting with frame by frame drawn animation, 3d animation, and also motion graphics, I felt it would be interesting to draw comparisons between the three through my experience with them, but also through what they can achieve, and how perceivably 'simple' they are in accordance to Maeda's laws.

Experimenting with Animation: Traditional, Motion Graphics & 3D Animation

With an element of 3D modelling also. Traditional Animation Frame by frame animation is something I have often explored through using the iPad software, Procreate. The use of onion skins and drawing out an animation is quite simple and therapeutic to me, however I have never necessarily used traditional animation

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Experimenting with Cinema 4D had me considering the main things that made it so strange to navigate to me, and I realised a big interruptor to my workflow was the difference in controls to navigate the 3D space I was given to create the space for the animation. From this I reflected on how navigating 3D spaces has been approached in creative softwares and video games, and how the instinctive notion has been developed, but also how challenging these instincts interrupts the workflow.

Universal Navigation Controls

Navigating 3D spaces on a computer differs from program to program, game to game. Games such as the sims, use the right button to traverse the space, the middle button to change the angle of the camera. Alternatively, the age old WASD is also used to traverse the space and

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Code

After animation, the module took a turn to code, and to teaching basic HTML and CSS. This is what I have grown up around, but had never been something I had any desire to learn because it had always been associated with 'work'.
The start up of this brief was to explore brutalist websites and explore what we did and didn't like about them. It made a good foundation for building an idea of what features I would want to code given the skillset to do so.

Brutalist Websites

I picked three websites from the Brutalist websites page. I chose them instinctively, I knew I wanted to pick one I found visually interesting, one that I found interesting in its functionality and appearance, and one that I entirely didn’t like. Made with Msg On first viewing, this one

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HTML & CSS: Experimenting with Web Design

Ghost Admin - leedsdotgraphicsGhost Above is my edited version of my blog post regarding Brutalist Websites. I used code to change the typeface of the headers and body text. Additionally to this I created a host site so that my site stands alone from the blog site. For this brief,

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Reflections

This module challenged me to explore things I had admittedly been putting off for a while. I had felt comfortable with what I knew, whereas this module essentially gave me no choice but to explore other avenues that can be associated with design. Working with animation gave me the opportunity to reflect on things I had been passionate about in the past such as Digital Art, and also things that I had hoped to build more skill in, such as coding. I feel this module gave me a foot in the door for when I feel I have the time to dedicate to these other avenues.
Additonally this module showed me how much I enjoy discussing my opinions on technology. I have been fortunate to be in a family where we had access to and the passion for new releases of tech, from TV's to VR headsets, and from this, discussing what I like and dislike about tech has been a big part of my family setup, from the age-old apple/android debate up to the pros and cons of developing AI. For a module to give an opportunity to use that has been very enjoyable for me, but as said before has also reignited that intrigue with how newer technologies can both improve my workflow and build my abilities in as a designer.