Post-modernism(20th cent)

postmodernism was a movement in architecture that rejected the modernist, avant garde, passion for the new. This era defies definition, a mix of the theatrical and theoretical, postmodernism was a visually thrilling  style that ranged from the colourful to the ruinous.

Postmodernism established ideas about style. It brought  freedom to art and design through gestures that were often funny, sometimes confrontational and occasionally absurd. Postmodernism was a drastic departure from modernism which had been based on clarity and simplicity. The modernists wanted to open a window onto a new world.

As the 1980s approached,What had begun as a radical fringe movement became the dominant look of the ‘designer decade’. Vivid colour, theatricality and exaggeration everything was a style statement. Whether surfaces were glossy or faked, they reflected the desire to combine subversive statements with commercial appeal.

postmodernism became the preferred style of consumerism and corporate culture. The excitement and complexity of postmodernism were enormously influential in the 1980s. 






Reflection :

From here, I learned that postmodernism was created from modernism by modernist who responded to failed Utopian-ism of the Modern movement and wanted to create something new. I also learned that postmodernism designs are unusual and free. Also, concentrates more on the style of the design.

Research on digital design and services(digital design)

what  is digital design and service


Digital design, a term used to describe a wide variety of computer related skills, includes work in fields such as web design, digital imaging and 3D modeling. The term can further be expanded to any digitally created visual media. Digital advertising and web design firms compete with individual designers to sell their expertise, while artists use the same mediums to express themselves. Amassing skills in digital design has endless benefits ranging from a source of income to a fulfilling weekend hobby.

Service  is often an economic activity where the buyer does not  obtain exclusive ownership of the thing purchased. The benefits of such a service, if priced, are held to be self-evident in the buyer's willingness to pay for it. Public services are those, that society as a whole pays for, through taxes and other means.

DADA and collage(20th cen)

Dadaism was an art movement of the European avant-garde in the early 20th century. Many claim Dada began in Zurich,Switzerland in 1916, spreading to Berlin shortly thereafter but the height of New York Dada was the year before, in 1915. The term Anti-art, a precursor to Dada, was coined by Marcel Duchamp around 1913 when he created his first readymades. Dada, in addition to being anti-war, had political affinities with the radical left and was also anti-bourgeois.

Dada activities included public gatherings, demonstrations, and publication of art/literary journals passionate coverage of art, politics, and culture were topics often discussed in a variety of media. 

Collage

This collage represents a rich gentleman. Each material used represents what each items in the collage. For the hat, I used a hard book cover because hats at the time are usually quite hard. I also used a cut of magazine page of Rolex watches to form the face because the watches originate from Switzerland which also where Dada began it also represents rich because the watch is expensive. 

Reflection:
From what I understand about DADA. It is a protest of anti art, war and rich. I like the fact that the movement is created base on wars and politician having too much power. The collage is made from thrown away items that I found which enables me to reuse them without buying materials to make the collage.

Terminologies (method of investigation)

Task 1

In this task we are to research on terminologies and each of us are given a terminology to research. The terminology that I got is Qualitative & Quantitative. 

Minimal poster (digital design)

Sketches to be posted

This is the final result of the poster of superman that I created where on the left shows him in his disguise(Clark Kent)  and the right as superman. This poster is made using illustrator using little image references for tracing.

Reflection :
Making this poster is fun as it challenges my mind and skill in illustrator as I created the face of superman. I also learned that, in posters it is important to show the main element of the movie as well as the message.

Alternative to research (methods of investigation)

Task 2 

In this task we are to evaluate 5 websites whether its content would be a good reference for research. We are advised to pick a topic that we want to research ( for me is 2D animation) and look for sites for us to evaluate for its content.



Web URL: http://animation.about.com/od/tutorials/a/introduction.htm

Currency

No date is specified but links are still active

Authorship

The article is written by Adrien-Luc Sanders. Who is a freelance writer, animator, web designer, and graphic designer with a background in computerized design and animation. He has been designing websites for various clients, often utilizing animated interfaces in Flash and Shockwave or creating branded 3D-animated logos. Studied computer science and web programming at the University of Alabama for a short period, then transferred to the Art Institute of Houston, where in 2002 he completed a degree in the Institute's Animation, Art, and Design program.

However, the article Lacks references.

Purpose

The article gives brief information on introduction to computer animation. The article explains about computer animation (2D and 3D animation) Also, explains how easy it is to be found.

Objective

The author writes fairly about 2D and 3D and states information clearly. Has a few advertisements on the site.

Writing Style

Understandable writing with no errors in spelling.

My comments:

I learned that animations used to use a lot of time, manpower, and complex equipment to be created but it has gotten simpler as the years go by and can be easily done at home with a computer. The author also writes that it is easy to find as you can see it anywhere in the web.

Although, the author is qualified to write about this. But, the site lacks examples to fully understand and has no references to help reinforce the points given.

Web URL: http://www.ehow.com/about_6312101_2d-animation-information.html

Currency

There is no indication of date but the sites links are still active

Authorship

This article is written by Dennis costa who works as a speechwriter since 2004 and holds a bachelor of arts in communications. The site has clickable links as its reference though some of the content in the reference sites have been removed.

Purpose

A lot of information about 2D animation as to how it works a brief history and its popularity to the society.

Objective

The article has a fair point of view and no bias is present in it. Small number of advertisements present in the site.

Writing Style

No errors in spelling and is understandable.

My comments:

This website talks a lot about 2d animation, it describes how 2d works it tells us that animation is based on optic illusions. It talks about its early history where motion capture has existed since the prehistoric age. Also, it tells how Disney become successful with their first animation film ‘’snow white and the seven dwarfs’’.  Even with 3d, the methods of 2d are still used even now.

Overall the site is not bad, it elaborates its points accurately despite the lack of examples though it is questionable if the author is qualified to talk about the topic.

Web URL: https://www.udemy.com/blog/2d-animation-2/

Currency

Site is last reviewed on March 3, 2014

Authorship

Written by April Klazema(assuming he/she is a legit expert instructor), no information is given on his/her occupation or qualification. The site (Udemy) however is a platform for online learning.

Purpose

Clear educational guide about the fundamentals of 2D animation with and explanation about 2D animation as well as the common software used. Also, talks about the laws and process of animation.

Objective

No bias is present in the site. The site is an online learning source and is purely educational.

Writing Style

Good grammar, clear elaboration and the information also seems legit.

My comments:

Clear explanation of 2D animation. Gives info about each recommended software’s for starters in animation. Such as, Synfig that can make anything from quick motion graphics to cinema quality animation and is easy to use . Toon Boom Studio is an all in one animation application for beginners that teaches you the fundamentals of 2D animation as you work. Others tools include Flash, Storyboard, Creatoon, pencil and animate.

Clear explanation about the laws of animation. which is squash and stretch, Anticipation, Staging, Straight ahead and pose to pose, arcs and so on. The blog also teaches us useful steps on process of creating an animation that begins with storyboard to post-production.

A good site in my opinion, the blog is written like a professional. A lot of accurate information and examples with no misleading info.

Web URL: http://reymendoza.blogspot.com/p/2d-animation.html

Currency

2014(assumed) but links are present

Authorship

Author is Rey Mendoza, who is a photographer, web designer and speaker.

Purpose

Blogs about 2D animation, almost a bit of everything.

Objective

No bias is found in the blog.

Writing Style

Understandable writing, accurate information with no spelling errors

My comments:

The author explains what are 2D animation as well as giving examples of such animations and has a quick tutorial on 2d animation. Explains the elements of 2D as well as recommended software’s and how to find the best from each software. Writes about the types of 2D animation like Cel animation, Digital animation, Path animation, stop motion animation, sand animation and cut-out animation.

The author also shows the methods used in animation. Examples, like Onion skinning, Tweening, Rotoscoping and cinemagraphs .A picture of movement cycle as well as some tutorials videos. Overall, The blog gives a quick explanation on everything in 2D with lots of pictures and video examples. Which makes the blog less boring to read. Although, im not sure the author is qualified to talk about 2D animation. But, he has clearly did research and made it entertaining to read.

Web URL: http://www.ehow.com/about_6394473_history-2d-animation.html

Currency

No date found

Authorship

Author is Robert Vaux who is a professional writer and editor since 1995 and holds a Master of Arts.

Purpose

Talks about the history of animation and how it first started

Objective

No bias is found.

Writing Style

Good writing and grammar

My comments:

I learned that animation was first started by Winson McCay ‘’the father of cartoon animaton’’ where he animated his work single handedly almost without help. Notably his 1914 film “Gertie the Dinosaur. But, his work takes a long time to complete. That’s when the animations no longer become a work of one man as subsequent animators like John Bray and Raoul Barre noted the inefficiency and opened studios employing dozens of animators to produce films more rapidly.

As the industry grew, the need of memorable characters similar to Gertie also grew. So, Otto Messmer created Felix the Cat. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy followed after a decade later by Walt Disney. Rivals like The fleischers (creators of betty boop and popeye) and Warner bros(bugs bunny, daffy duck and porky pig) rose to challenge when Disney grew.

Reflection :

I learned to be more careful with sites that I use to refer to as my research. I also, learned how to make sure what website are good and bad for research using the CAPOW format.

Critical thinking with 2 objects(crit thinking)

This task is to find 2 random objects and imagine the object as something different.

Objects that I found

Cigarette box

Small flower




Cigarette Box

Car

Alcohol

Poison

Radiation

Suicide vest

Letter

Lighter

Gun magazine

Grave

Health

Small Flower

Party hat

Hair

Roots

Firecracker

Waterfall





2 other objects that are to be done in 1 hour

objects :

Small rectangle metal

Medium sized leaf





Metal

Sword

Gun

Bridge

Train

Crane

Bird

Boat

Water

 Banana Tree leaf

Broom

Reflection :
This task helps me into thinking fast and creatively on what these objects can be represented as. This task is not too hard but as the first few ideas comes in easily  but as we think of the last few objects for it to represent becomes quite hard.

Patterns(Design concep)

Pictures to be added

The Resulting patterns

Reflection :
This task helps me think in making shapes from pictures I had taken and making my own creative patterns without using internet sources for background.

Task 1 Tools(Design concep)

Digital resources

Laptop
- Essential for creating digital works as well as searching online for information sources.

Softwares
- Software like Adobe illustrator and Photoshop . Illustrator to create illustrations, Photoshop for photo manipulation

Digital camera
- Used for taking pictures for idea generation, flashbacks and exploration.

Analog resources

Work space
- A personal space for getting comfortable in working

Tool box
- For keeping various of useful tools and easy for carrying.

Tools in toolbox Color pencils
-Sketching using different colors to make different types of character or environment.

Ruler
- Making straight lines, cutting paper if no scissors are available and measuring. Accurate cutting.

Masking tape
-Sticking paper on walls  without damaging the paper or using as a masking or covering when painting

Knife
-Cutting and making shapes inside or outsides of paper.

Scissor
-Cutting various things from tape to paper.

Variety of pencils
- For sketching, shadowing and writing.

Staple gun
-To staple anything that requires stapling.

Documentation

Presentations
- To show proper understanding of what was done as well as the process

Storage
- Storing work properly and carefully to prolong the work from damage.

Task 4 and presentation(professional ethics)

Our group presentation and case study about copyright infringement on Apple vs Microsoft

Team:

Mark

Reynard