Reflections - So Far...

Project One -

Where do I start? I found this project both tiring (too many hours put into it) and exciting.
I love the idea of finding a concept/emotion or message I want to portray through design/art.
This Wallpaper project gave me the opportunity to do this through code; to create something on Processing, that would have been almost impossible to create on paper.

I think that was one of the ideas behind project one - to get us to understand how much easier it is to create some images/patterns by code rather than by hand on paper.

During this project though, I had way too many ideas. I don't know where to draw the line. This is an area I need to continue to work on. I need to do my research, find something I like, and stick to it.

With my final concepts and the development stages, I found out how to pointillize an image on Processing.
My aim in this project was to produce sketches with a 3d look. I wanted images to jump out at you. To make the viewer reach out and touch it. Or look in between the layers.

I first looked at filtering the image using filter() -maybe invert filter?
But searched some more and found exactly what I was looking for. Well, I found two versions of what I was looking for.
One source is Pointillism on www.processing.org plus https://gist.github.com/814187 and http://www.learningprocessing.com/examples/chapter-15/example-15-14/.

I also looked at 'exploding' an image to create a 3d look. I was unsuccessful. No matter how much time I put into it, the code just didn't want to obey.

The things I learnt over the week of creating my wallpaper sketches:

Example of use: Pointillism is used in sketches reflecting and magnifying single pixels at random from an underlying (invisible) photo, or image. This technique can vary and alter dramatically to create different affects from another pointillized image.

I found out that when creating a fill set colour, one can simply input 'pix' if an image is uploaded to the sketch. This will create varying colours stolen from the uploaded image from random pixels. Oh yeah, 'pix' stands for 'pixel'. :) Another thing, it isn't just shapes 'pix' for the fill set colour option is good for, you can create lines with this fill(pix....)...

I love the mouse function in sketches. The fact that each time I open up one of my wallpaper sketches, I can create a different image just by moving my mouse in a certain direction, whether it be left or right. In my sketches this creates smaller or larger shapes. In others, the sky is the limit!

Transparancy = depth!

Another major factor in designing sketches for print on Processing is the size of the file you end up with at the end. I had a big issue when it came down to getting the sketches printed at a print shop. I was turned down a number of times from many print shops, simply because my 20x40cm pdf file was way too large to print. I recommend PrintStop by the way. They were the only guys to take my usb stick and print these sketches.
Next time, I will ensure my large pdfs are converted to nice big clear jpegs for printing purposes.

For the next project - I would like to step even further outside of the 'box'; explore many options within the realm of 'transformation'.

I found this example of transformation on openprocessing:



"As a general rule you need to use programming whenever you need: variation, interaction, generation, repetition, calculation or scalability" Extracted from 'Programming, the bigger picture' by Ben Jack.

I also love this one:



PopMatrix! I see the sketch above uses popmatrix plus includes a whole bunch of variables, if statements. Lots of shapes used (consists of only shapes) rotated etc to make up the end object.

I noticed that 'cols' which is one of the boxtree parameters was used here; fill(col,255,255);
I thought that was interesting.

Green Wand @ openprocessing

The Beehive @ openprocessing

Civic Square @ openprocessing

Tepapa @ openprocessing

FINAL WALLPAPER CONCEPTS

My set of four wallpapers comprise of Wellington scenes/themes.
I started off this assignment looking into either working with lines or alternatively with dots.
During the assignment I decided to work with both dots and lines.
The issue was finding the balance between enough lines and
enough dots/circles.
I also played with dot/circle size.
Eventually, I tried adding triangles.
This was one big mistake. Triangles are the devil!
I wound up using squares to spice things up.

The idea between using shapes (circles and squares) at varying transparency
was to give depth for the 3D look.
I want each image to look as if you can see in between layers of pixels.

The use of lines in each composition is to:
1.) shed light on the subject.
 2.) give the "protruding" pixels a path from which they came from.

3.) Symbolise a wealth of history.   

Tepapa

Green Wand

Beehive

Civic Square

Processing Concept Development

It all started off with circles.

I wanted dots/circles to randomly slot themselves on the

screen to reveal an image - a 3D image.

I played with transparency, sizes, shapes... including triangles

which I think was a complete fail.

I introduced lines eventually to shed light and movement.

The following are examples of different stages I got to

while playing with each concept.

Found this one too dark.
I liked the overlaying of circles though.

Introduction of squares as well as circles.
I like this. 

Here, lines were added starting at the top left corner.
This however lightens the image.
I haven't decided whether it is a good
or bad thing.

O.kay... Too much line work.
Gotta get rid of it.

The contrast between the orange and purple works well
but the lines don't work.

Playing with 'symbolism' here.
The lines exiting from the centre of the image
are meant to symbolise light; wealth of history.

Good contrasting bright colours but is missing something.

Here, the lines darken the image too much.
I've tried using fewer lines, lighter lines and different colours.

I wonder where the green wand has gone?
White lines possibly a bit too much?
I think so.

This image was originally meant to look similar to
this. The white was meant to illustrate a calm,
pure, and peaceful environment.
Although, I realised the colours didn't combine well with the other
three wallpapers.
Two images above reveals this image but with black/grey lines.
I mentioned it made the image too dark. The white in this concept is the
direct opposite of the black in the other.
I found a mutual replacement which has been posted
on the "final" posting of my final four wallpapers.
Blue was the replacement colour. The reason I chose blue -
Blue also represents 'calm' and 'purity'.
It reminds me of the ocean.
Can you get any more pure than that? 

Lots and lots of circles.
Once again, good bright contrasting colours
but still missing something.

Circles and lines.

Circles, lines and squares. I know I was missing something.
It was the squares!

Working on Newly found Images of Wellington

Below I spent some time playing with colours,
finding what worked and what didn't.

Edit HTML

Next approach to Concept Development

Why do I keep changing my mind?!

I was set to stick to "Third Attempt Concepts" but when 

I started writing the code for the first concept on processing, 

I realised then I wouldn't find satisfaction in the end result. 

The next plan is to use the 'Wellington Memories' theme, 

change a couple of the concepts to remove "typography".

In addition, I want to relate them back to the 

'3D dot method' I used in my very first concept.

Okay, so I didn't just change a couple of the images, 

I changed all of them.

Below are inspirational photos I found.

Green Wand

Green Wand, different view point

Civic Square

Tepapa logo

Beehive

New development on concepts

Third Attempt Concepts

The following are four concepts with the theme 'Wellington Memories'

Third Attempt Concept One

Third Attempt Concept Two

Third Attempt Concept Three

Third Attempt Concept Four

Concept Development - First Stages

In my opinion Concept Development ruins all

direction in some projects.
I say this because I started out with a clear
focussed image in the beginning.
I was going to create hand drawn images,
entirely made from dots.
The images below of the female
face are an example of this.
It took hours and hours just to complete one
small sketch made of dots, and that's when
I realised this was going to take forever,
so I'd better make sure I was on the right
path at the beginning. Anyway,  as you can see,
I did start working on developing my lined images,
shown below the face/dot sketches.
I liked the line concept with the added use
of negative/positive space to reveal
an image within the box of lines.
While developing these lined drawings, I started playing
more and more with colour.
I love the bright pinks, oranges against a
black background. I find it very striking and
captivating yet radiating energy. I suppose
'energy' is exactly what a student needs when
sitting in the studio late at night working on
an overdue design project.

 

My 4 sketches

My first four concepts.
What was I thinking?

Well... I'll explain!

I wanted a set of four wallpapers to represent
an emotion/a feeling.

The first was mystery, second was lost in colourful music,
third was devastation in a disaster such as CHCH earthquake, and lastly young love.
After leaving these four concepts alone for a few days, 

I realised I was following the wrong line.
I had drawn four concepts with little visual relativity.
Now, I realised I had to choose one of these ideas and
create three others using the same method.

Firstly, I chose Concept One.
Although it took hours upon hours to draw the initial sketch,
I knew where I wanted to take this sketch.
I wanted it to stand out, show depth... and make the onlooker
want to reach out and touch it.
This would only be achieved with colour and varying transparency.
As you will see, I developed with concept and found something I liked.

Concept One

Concept Two

Concept Three

I then chose to further develop Concept Four. I liked the use of positive and negative space.
Black and white.

Colour and nothing.

As you will see, I created three more concepts of the same idea.
This time, I used the theme 'Wellington Memories'.

Concept Four

Inspiration

These are some of my forms of inspiration.

Each conveys a certain aspect of art I love.
The first is an image of a man's head. When you
interact with the image, it turns into a 3D
image showing layers of dots.
I absolutely love the idea of looking within
layers of dots that make up an image. 

www.openprocessing.org

The second
uses varying transparency within the different
trees to show depth and distance.
I would like to use this method within my wallpaper.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/creativity-fuse/2

Below is an example of line work. This is simple
yet very intricate. It also shows depth. The layering of lines
gives this image some substance and vibrancy which I love.

http://www.openprocessing.org/visuals/?visualID=3600

Below is a hand made sketch I found over google.
Two colours were used in the making of this sketch,
yet it shows so much detail. Initially I wanted to go along with the
duo tone look and produce four portrait concepts for 

the wallpaper assignment.

Below shows colour! Colour, colour, colour!!

The smeared water colour effect would
have been (in my opinion) a good
partner to a line drawing as shown way way above.

Yet another portrait image below. Also with lots of colour.

Except in this case, it looks like neon or solarized colour.

I plan to use this idea within my concepts to add life.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/creativity-fuse/2

Processing - Learning to use the program

Just learning how to use Processing. The following are patterns made
in class from what we have been taught within lectures and tutorials.

Added Depth

Lined Circles

Green, Black, Transparency

One Across, Two Down

Piled High

Laborynth

Clear Rolled Up Patterns

Green and Purple 

Red Cone