Leaf Drawings

Part of the left side got cut off due to the size of the paper not fitting in the scanner.

Design Firm Website Critique.

It is ironic I think that in a profession based on design and visual appeal there are so many poorly designed websites for design firms. There are so many that are based off of magazine design. While if we were leafing through Dwell they would be great, however on the web the bar is raised. Because there are capabilities to add video, multi-layered graphics and other organic features to a website, the traditional cut out pictures and text just don't cut it. www.ricescabinetry.com and www.pvzdesign.com are examples of this. They are not inherently bad, just poorly suited for the medium being used. www.shugartbates.com, www.gglo.com, www.clairenightingale.com, www.pauladevonraso.com, and www.weberthompson.com are some websites that I particularly enjoyed and that stuck out. They usually had some sort of introduction that took advantage of multimedia capabilities. Something like this really captures attention and makes the material much easier to read and take in, it makes it effortless. When you have to really go out of your way and try to get the information, it just defeats the purpose of thoughtful website design. It's all about visual appeal and efficient presentation of material. www.sapphire-studios.com, www.officewraps.com, and www.hendersonkelly.net are a decent cross section of the middle ground between these two extremes. Frankly though I think there is absolutely no excuse for any architecture or interior design firm to have a website that is anything short of eye popping.

Designer Research

Personally I think it is absolutely absurd to be researching and studying designers and architects. I looked at examples of many famous architects to include Frank Lloyd Wright, Albert Kahn, Le Corbusier, etc... and to be perfectly honest while their designs were incredible, they were not that far removed from a talented contemporary non-famous architect or designers' work. I think revolutionary design is everywhere, we just don't look for it outside of certain venues that we restrict ourselves to. Critique of design is so subjective anyone can find wonder or disgrace in just about whatever they choose. Maybe this occurs to only me, but it also seems there are quite a few individuals involved in the design of a building, to attribute all credit to just one person is simply asinine. With all this being said, to study a building for it's features or merits seems highly appropriate, but it seems our minds are already made up before we even consider the piece simply for knowing the designers name.

Graphic Media Design Research

Ahh the Ipod. This style of advertisement is very forward thinking and ingenious. When you walk around campus you can always spot students listening to their Ipod. this is obvious by the iconic white ear buds and wires we have come to associate with the apple brand. It doesn't matter what the person looks like or is wearing, this stands out like a drunk in church. This abstraction of the figures foreshadows this effect excellently.


The graphics of this advertisement are very well suited to the subject product. the greyscale of the mans face and hair corresponds well with the color of the blender's metal finish, topped off with blue snowflakes. At first glance you wouldn't be able to tell what was being marketed because the picture is so small in the upper right corner. This graphic reveals just enough about the product but not enough to figure out what it is in a glance; it draws readers in to read the caption and look closely at the product picture. I found this to be an interesting strategy given that most ads are designed to present all their information in a second's clance.


No photo of a car looks this spectacular. In fact outside of a carshow with special lighting, you rarely will achieve such reflections. Why are they there in this photo? By adding those reflections, the car takes on a whole new dynamic feel. They hug the curves of the vehicle's body making the form stand out. Also it can be noted that most of the reflection lines travel from front to back on the vehicle. This gives the car a much more sleek, and fast look. I imagine that taking a snapshot of this SUV under normal circumstances it would look totally ordinary. Not the case in the advertisement, and afterall nobody sold a car by making it look ordinary.


This image reminded me of an ipod commercial with the iconic white earbud wires being all that is visible. What is interesting is how the line is continuous, shaping one person and the other. It gives the picture a great sense of movement drawing the eye from one corner to the other, and in the process, to the advertised earrings. I have noticed that many jewelry ads are highly abstracted with dark colors to contrast the bright diamonds. This is a classic example of such strategy.


Imagine aliens emerging from the mother ship over middle America in search of drinkers with taste... what?! they don't want to talk to President Bush? who would have though?! The simplicity of this design is it's strength. The fact that the brand name is not so highly known as most may be considered a weakness, but in this case it turns that into a strength. I can read that easily in a second or two while leafing through a magazine, taking it all in. I wonder, if Ketel One means style and taste, and I have never had it... this draws me to want to go out and sample it for myself. Such cleverness is key.


The selling point of this notebook computer is the circular shaped hinge when it's profile is in view. By placing the image in a large circle in relation to the page, this feature is highlighted, because one naturally sees things that continue the theme of the page. It is as if Dell included a closeup view of the product over top of the side view.


Not only is this faucet simple and elegant, but half of it is shown as a concept drawing. Drawings are normally more appealing to the eye when they are simpler and roughed out. It leaves much more for the mind to piece together on it's own. This element of the picture taps into that appeal. One appreciates the form of the fixture, while being able to look at a concept sketch at the same time. This also shows the process of design taken to arrive at the final product.


This is another highly successful example of how omitting details makes an image much more pleasing to look at. By showing this faucet only by specular highlights in it's profile view, you get a great feel for the shape of the object as well as the three dimensional form. This is a neat abstraction of an image to show more of it's essence and feel.


The rendering of this image is remarkable and is what caught my eye when I first saw it. I wanted to look at every feature to see how it was portrayed with value or color and not necessarily line. It is a great image that makes the advertisement look more traditional and fine quality.


If you look at the carpet swatch at the bottom left of the page, it aligns with the edge of the stairs, which have the same pattern carpeting covering them. It seems as if the pattern is spilling out towards you from the stairs, it becomes more than just a printed floor covering but something alive.

Buildings Design Research

This building has so many features that are clearly seen in this picture. The key is the use of such intricate lighting. It really brings out all the cornices and moldings of the facade that would go unnoticed otherwise. The building has a very striking first impression, with a very regal look. This was what I like about it, with particular emphasis on the lighting effects.


The color choice with this coastal house in Ireland is absolutely brilliant. It compliments the blue colors of the water and the sky with lighter tones of cream and eggshell. While it is hard to make a structure like that seem to belong in such a location, this choice of color really pulls it off. It is not that the house belongs per se, but that it compliments the natural hues to make it's intrusion seem more natural.


This estate looks to be something strait out of a Disney movie. One would expect to see Cinderella get punched out by her evil stepmother in a setting such as this. This is very intriguing to me in that a building would be constructed to resemble such mideavil styling with features such as the circular turret at center with conical roof, or the vaulted doorways and windowpanes. It all is one big throwback albeit very tastefully done.


Ivy growing up sides of people's houses is generally not a good thing. I know my mother goes to great lengths to see that the ivy in the backyard is kept under control and doesn't take over the yard. In this setting however, it seems that it is condoned. The ivy is growing all over the front side of the house and over the walls. The effect of this is to tie everything in the courtyard together. It makes the setting come alive. The white color of the house would stand out a little too much for this type of environment over powering the subtleties of it's surroundings. Due to some handy grooming though the ivy looks like it belongs, like it was intended to grow in such a manor to complete the setting.


You are looking at the essence of green design. This summer home in Australia was built to have a little environmental impact as possible. Here are just a couple of the features this house has to minimize it's environmental footprint. It's roof is covered with solar panels to supplement and offset normal power use. Behind the house you will notice several large metal containers which are used to collect rainwater. Green design is the new and coming trend in architecture and design but clearly it is not as widespread as global warming dictates that it should be. This house stands as an example however to lead the way in minimal impact design.


This vintage inner city building to me just has such a neat appeal. The fire escape zigzagging down the side of the building with the "seeds" lettering incorporated into the proportions of the structure make it interesting. There was an old factory in High Point that looked very similar to this building that was renovated to become an expensive furniture showroom. The exterior was left unchanged for the most part though, only the insides were gutted and rebuilt. The mixture of rough industrial
and upscale design and fixtures really popped and turned the building into a trendy moneymaking machine. I see a lot of that in this building, particularly the roof with the rusty siding.


I think that today there are far too many cookie cutter buildings so to speak. Everything is about square features. Everything lines up and fits together. This building stands to mix things up a bit. it is buildings such as this that bring life to a cityscape; they put their location on the map. Nobody would have come to see this structure had it been cheaply constructed in squared fashion such as everything else is. They would however come to see it as it is now though with it's obtrusive angles and brushed titanium surfaces. I wish every building could be as unique as this one is.


The Natuzzi building in downtown High Point. I can't say much for the town itself, however this building is remarkable. When you drive down Main street this building comes into view and it looks as if there is a massive ship sailing right down the center of the road. There is even an abstracted hole in the curved side to denote where an anchor would go. The experience around this building is so crucial to it's purpose. During furniture market, there are thousands of representatives milling around downtown on foot. Seeing such a sight would pique interest and curiosity, drawing customers. The integration of design and location are highly successful.


This is another interesting building that adds flavor to an ordinarily boring downtown drag. Inset in the picture is a concept sketch on a cocktail napkin that was drawn by the architect. The similarity of the first sketch and the finished building is remarkable. What makes the experience of this one is the juxtaposition of traditional square construction with radical shapes and angles. It is almost uncomfortable to look at without being able to explore the shape more fully.


Not much of this building is visible, however something very peculiar is at work here. The pool has no outside edge, the water's surface extends all the way to the edge of the pool. I imagine it spills over the wall a little bit however, this integrates the pool into the building in a way not done often these days. traditionally you have the pool deck with a little drop to the water. This builds the water directly into the shape of the structure making it seem like it belongs, rather than just something added later.

Product Design Research

Now I am no big shot furniture designer, but having lived in High Point for the last fifteen years has given me a great ability to spot comfy sofas at a glance. This happens to be one of them. The way the cushions are quilted really shows how soft it is. This element also provides a soft touch to the environment without even having to sit on the piece; put that in your game room and it's sure to make things a little more homey and relaxed. It is this visual appeal that I find so intriguing, you sit with your eyes first.


This kind of wall covering is so interesting to look at. Being comprised of many tiles that interlock to form various different customizable patterns provides so much versatility of use. Not just that but look at the photo, you could look at that for hours and not get bored; it provides so much depth and texture. I imagine this would be awesome as a small accent wall or something of the like. Too much use of it could be bad however, but get it to the right proportion... wow.


This tile by Ann Sacks has much the same appeal as the product by Wovin Wall Coverings pictured above. Both have intrigue, this one though has movement. When I look at this tile I feel as if I am looking at a very shallow reflecting pond. Maybe a half inch of water or so glimmering in the sunlight. The way this feel and image has been put into tile form is truly a remarkable design. Be able to walk on water... Step aside Jesus, the new kid is in town and her name is Ann Sacks!


I confess, I used this image for layout as well as for this product review. I just find both so cool. This product's strong point is more of a technical achievement. It blends ice into snow. Perfect flakes. It has been said by Esquire magazine that no man's blender is seeing enough use. With this in mind who doesn't need an appliance that will enable them to make a daiquiri with snow!? That guy using this blender by Breville is the master of all he surveys. If ever there was a kitchen appliance that would get his hot date's clothes off, this is the one.


This refrigerator made by Sub Zero refrigerators has a very remarkable feature. It blends in with the rest of the cabinets. In the average kitchen of today the refrigerator is very distinct and stands out as it's own piece. This approach integrates it into the flow of the rest of the room. Not only that, but it keeps separate compartments totally isolated from one another. This ensures there is no cross contamination of flavors between possibly sensitive foods. After all who wants ice cream that smells like your grandma's specialty meatloaf?


Casablanca fans sure got something right when they designed this. The ornate brass frame, with stretched cloth is not your ordinary ceiling fan. This exotic construction makes you feel almost as if you are being fanned by hand by a personal servant or something. It really ices the cake so to speak with this gazebo. It is a step away from the ordinary whirring fan of contemporary style.


Originally tomatoes were believed to be poisonous, when really it was just that the acid they contained leached the lead out of pewter flatware they were being eaten from, which in turn got into the food. Apparently Match has found a way around giving their customers heavy metal poisoning. This elegant style of pewter dish is very classic and clean, with a touch of ancient-ness to it. I would very much like to enjoy a rare steak on something like this, perhaps wearing a scarlet toga while watching a gladiatorial combat.


This Asko dishwasher shows something very important in it's design: an eye to the future, to that which hasn't been thought of. The average dishwasher is meant to cater to general fare: dishes, pots and pans, silverware, etc. What about those of us that entertain often and need a solution for specialty glassware? That's where this baby comes in. It rescues suburban moms to the hostess of a church ladies meeting alike from the perils of damaged crystal. Ingenious. Outside the home, the only place you might find something like this is in a bar or restaurant.


There are multitudes of kitchen designers out there, page through Interior Design magazine, you will probably see them all. But Snaidero Kitchens has set themselves apart I think with one element of this kitchen's design. The stove vent. The two cylindrical forms coming down from the ceiling is such an interesting approach. It is a very clean, platonic form in brushed metal, contrasted by the black cabinetry. I only hope my kitchen has something this cool one day.


The faucet at center was what really caught my attention. Designed by Lefroybrooks, they incorporate a sense of vintage refinement to otherwise contemporary style. The old style thermostat knob is very classy. Using a fixture like this is sure to make you feel older and more refined, as if your name were Arthur, Vincent, or the like; a crucial element for a bubble bath with Mr. Ducky.