p week

At DATS Conference with Alexander Julian. Christy and I are pictured.

Italian 3 legged trestle supported chair from the Italian Renaissance

French Chimney Piece that progressed onto the ceiling. The French went from chimney decor and the processed onto the ceiling.

One Point Perspective Lesson from Drafting Class

Periphery—

Periphery refers to being on the near edge or having boundaries. When I first learned this word I immediately thought of drafting boundaries, building boundaries (in the sense of codes) and country boundaries. When I say drafting boundaries, I am speaking about borders and labels that are customarily on the edge of the vellum, bond, etc. that one is working on.
Building boundaries in the sense of codes are also very important to keep in mind when designing a building. A wonderful example of how architectural “codes” and “norms” took precedent was in the French Renaissance when the design was transforming from Gothic into this new structured and symmetrical “Renaissance” style. It was a change on the exterior but more so on the interior. Blakemore further explains this concept on page 113, “Since the Gothic style was thoroughly entrenched in France, the full influence of this new classical vocabulary was slow to emerge.” Meaning that the Gothic style was for so long the social norm of French designing in regards to both exteriors as well as interiors. However, with the changing times and those around them conforming to this new design phase called the Renaissance, they were eventually reluctant to follow suit in their own unique ways. Blakemore speaks on page 116 about how the French combined their design of the past with the new, Renaissance style, “As Renaissance influence began to be mixed with the design vocabulary of the earlier period, the proportion and arrangement of the orders did not adhere to classical practice.” So the French were stepping out and creating a new style for themselves and it is very note worthy in the history of design. Examples of this new stylizing was exhibited in everything from the floors, walls, chimneys, and furniture.

Portfolio---

A portfolio is a compilation of a designers work. An impressive portfolio is that of Alexander Julian. I had the pleasure of personally meeting him at this years DATS Conference at High Point University, N.C. and he did an overview of his design career. Julian has done some amazing and creative work in so many different areas. A taste of some of the things he has done and is doing today: creating his own paint colors, his own clothing line, being the youngest to design his own textiles, designing the Charlotte and UNC Chapel Hill uniforms, winning the motorsports designer of the year, designing clothes for stars in movies, receiving the Kobe award and the Pinnical Award, having is own furniture, clothing line and fixtures line, his own wine, and he digitally imprints clothing! Needless to say, the man has an impressive and brag-worthy portfolio to tote. Below, I have a picture of Alexander Julian [Alex] and myself at the DATS Conference. He is wearing one of his digitally imprinted shirts created by him. He rolled his personally designed wine cork in paint and changed the colors digitally and into a shirt. It is always a pleasure to learn about designer’s such as Alexander Julian and to see how well rounded a designer can truly be if they experience all the different areas of opportunity in the design world.

Outside of the 20th century, Blakemore speaks about the “collection of work” that makes up the English Renaissance on page, “Renaissance detail began to be incorporated in interiors in the first half of the 16th century, although the medieval lingered throughout the century.” Blakemore is explaining that in the 16th century, there was a mixture, just as the French experienced with Gothic styles and Medieval design transforming into Renaissance design. Some of the detailing in the wooden chairs and furniture pieces and chimney detailing and flooring were absolutely beautiful and well-crafted.

Process—

Process is practice, brainstorm and refining that conclude in a finalized and complete project. A step by step insight on how one got to their final design. My studio work is a process of sketches, inspiration boards and model after model. A great historical example that shows how a halted process can change everything. Due to a religious war in France, there was a 30 year halt in design which would later lead to progressing into the Renaissance. Blakemore page 114, “When Henry II died in 1559 a thirty-year period of civil strife began….building activity curtailed during this thirty-year period of anarchy.” This shows that there are ways in which process can be halted and completely different than ever anticipated.

Perspective—

Perspective are views that can be utilized to view something. In drafting and drawing, these are important uses of design viewpoints and show knowledge of a space or creation. Perspective can be used in a sense of giving something a certain feel, for example, if I were to design a toy store, I may want to draw all of the story views in perspective from a 3-4 foot child height. Also perspective is how we intellectually, rather than visually see things. Throughout history, main rooms are used for socializing. However, the idea that couches and chairs should be in a space used for lounging and discussion, this was not customary in history. Rather, a chair, or any chairs at all exuded royalty. So the concept of a social area has changed vastly over the years. Blakemore speaks more on this idea on pages 121 and 123. (pg. 121) “Later, interests centered on comfort, a more elegant lifestyle, and new artistic endeavours prompted by the influence of the crown.” Meaning that after there was hard times, there came this time of spending and people became comfortable financially as well as in the furniture sense of comfort. (pg. 123) “By the middle of the 16th century chairs became lighter in scale. Minimally decorated, they tended to be simple and rectangular.” This shows that furniture began to really take precedent in spaces and were designed for multiple buyers, rather than “custom work”.

Professional—

Alexander Julian—DATS Conference Speaker and speak on his impressive portfolio. His own lines, his prestigious career and awards such as the Pinnacle and the Kobe award. I enjoyed seeing his portfolio and hear him speak about the challenges and exciting moments of his career. He is a truly remarkable man and a truly remarkable career and I found the opportunity to speak with him and hear from him to be well worth it and inspiring in every sense of the word. A profession is someone who is well versed and educated in a particular field. Blakemore page 127, “Henry II. With the late French Renaissance and an essentially architectural style, designers tended to follow rather strict rules of classical art.” This very quote shows how there were many trends, which flooded into designers vocabulary and career choices. Buildings exteriors and interiors were trendy and did have strict rules—professional. 

In conclusion of this weeks opus, I found connections between periphery, portfolio, process, perspective and professional. By being a professional, you need to have varying perspective, a quality portfolio, know your periphery and break outside of the boundaries without fear and be sure to have a fine toothed comb process with lots of critique.