Apartment Art

For the artwork in my apartment I decided to find images or artworks I like and try to replicate them for my own purposes using pens or acrylic paint or watercolor pencil or mixed mediums. I do not sell these nor claim there design to be my own but I do like them, so below each image I have included the link I found the artwork at.

Found at: http://www.wordsonimages.com/photo?id=91402-And+forget+not+that+the+earth+

I did change the colors in this particular design but found the original image at:
http://www.behance.net/gallery/BURTON-x-BYVM-Contest/6167333

I decided to add pins to this design for where I have lived, visited and am currently adding where I would like to go. I found this tutorial at: http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/2012/06/diy-wooden-world-map-art.html

Found at: http://society6.com/product/for-whatever-we-lose_Print#1=45

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75279231@N06/galleries/72157629137315081#photo_3370655226

Used my own pick of music lyrics by Rachel Platten but the tutorial is found at: http://meohmymama.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-tutorial-for-wood-stained-painting.html

Found at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/109155925/wooden-walnut-mountain-range-triptic?ref=market

Found at: http://weheartit.com/entry/62651425

Falling in Love with Spokane

As a group project, this design focused on a wedding venue on Canada Island in Spokane, WA. We worked with landscape architects to determine appropriate plantings and created a plan for a commercial kitchen, storage, public restrooms and bridal party rooms within existing buildings on the site. Our concept for this design was: "The wedding design for Canada Island is like a night sky. The ceremonial area is the main focus of the island, whichrepresents the moon. The gazebos and bride’s garden add hints of sparkle like stars in the night sky. The trees around the ceremonial space and throughout the island allow beams of light to shimmer through their leaves, creating a literal sparkle in the wedding venue. At night, strings of lights will illuminate the island, especially in the reception area. The buildings are central to the preparation and executions of the event. The sparseness of the grapevines on the archway leading up to the ceremony space will allow glimpses of light to shine through and add more of a starlit feeling. The quaking aspens and water birch trees serve as privacy
barriers without completely blocking the view of the river. The natural concept falls in with branding incorporating the moon and the stars. Working off of the color schemes of the new brand the island uses teal gray and yellow colors with spots of red."

After working multiple different designs ideas we developed a final plan for the island as well as the existing buildings and created a poster that displayed a few perspectives of a wedding in motion implementing our design ideas. After completing our posters we presented our designs to Spokane residents and the Faculty of Riverfront Parks new branding team.

Revit Office Lighting Design

In this design we were given a space where we would focus on the lighting application. We were asked to figure out the daylight zone and the electric light zones. Then we each came up with a lighting concept for the space. In the original design we were supposed to focus mainly on the open office that was to be filled with 10-12 workstations and then apply some light techniques to the other areas. To start off we did some rough calculations for the number of luminaries needed in the space, then we selected the ones we would like and created a reflected ceiling plan and lighting schedule. After figuring out the design, we had to create our idea in Revit putting together a final booklet that included renderings, solar studies and our previous process work.

The lighting concept I used for my design was "The lighting in these spaces should create evenly illuminated effects that maximize the daylight use and fit the needs of the occupants. It should be a space that enhances focus and productivity with its lighting and materiality."
Overall I am very pleased with my design and above are the final renderings for my open office, conference room and small office kitchen. 

Chicago Study Tour

This last fall I took the opportunity to go on a interdisciplinary study tour to Chicago, Illinois. It last 5 full days not including the travel and gave us the opportunity to study buildings as groups and present to one another at the actual site. On our first full day we started off leaving our downtown hotel, the Red Roof Inn, and walked to Trump tower to discuss the first days buildings. We then proceeded to learn from each student about there buildings. Some of the ones I found most interesting that day were the Harold Washington Library and City Target. I loved the owls as a sign of knowledge on top of the library and the intricate patterning on the exterior of the Target.

After that "Loop" we took a train to visit the Illinois Institute of Technology. The next day we had the opportunity to learn from different discipline teachers, so I started my day with the Landscape Architect teacher. She led us on a walk through Chicago looking at the undeveloped areas. We got to walk along the beach and then moved further towards the Lincoln Park Zoo. On the way we saw this interesting arch that had all the students intrigued (top right). After lunch the Interior Designers went with their teacher to explore the Merchandise Mart, visiting Herman Miller, Design Tex(bottom left) and Dream Home, as well as the Green Spot.

 At the end of that day the faculty had an evening cruise along the river and out onto the lake planned, so experiencing that with my friends and colleagues was really fun.

The next day we started at the Farnsworth house, learning the stories of their flooding and how it came about. Then in the afternoon we had our last student group present around Millennium Park. My group had researched the Jay Pritzker Pavilion (bottom left), so I had the opportunity to teacher fellow people about that structures story. But I also loved hearing about Crown Fountain (bottom right) and how it shoots water out at people in certain segments of its programming.

 The last full "school" day we were taken on a tour of Frank Lloyd Wrights Home and Studio (left). Then just after lunch we took our group picture in front of the infamous Bean or "Cloud Gate" and ended the day exploring the Art Institute of Chicago which had some amazing pieces of art I later learned in the semester in my Modern Art-19th century course.

 The final day in Chicago was a free day for the students and I wandered through the Shedd Aquarium with a friend. Overall it was a wonderful experience and we came back with new friends in multiple different disciplines.

Paris Study Tour

In the Summer of 2012, I had the opportunity to partake in a ten day study tour to Paris, France. Our group of Interior Designers led by two faculty were able to visit many of the famous buildings and interiors we soon learned about in classes. Our hotel was situated downtown so we easily strolled along the streets looking at shops and eating the french cuisine. On one of our first days we took the short metro trip to visit the Eiffel Tower(left) for the first time that week and also visited the magnificent Arc de Triomphe (right). These structures seem small in images but when climbing the Arc you realize just how tall they are from being so out of breath once you reach the top, looking out at all the streets sprawling from this central point.

 Next we spent an entire day at Notre Dame, walking the grounds and explore the enormous cathedral. Throughout the trip we had the opportunity to sketch several of the buildings and this sketch was one of my favorite to work with. We spent a maximum of 30 minutes sketching each building and this was a quick one at 10 minutes.

We spent half a day exploring the Louvre in all its enormity. First we were led to what the teachers believed were the "big three" pieces to see, the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa and Winged Victory. Then we could explore the rest of the museum as we saw fit. That evening a group of us decided to go back and experience the Eiffel Tower at night and saw its light up show as we were headed back to catch the last metro train to our hotel with an ice cream crepe in hand.

Another day was spent visiting Villa Savoye and the Musee de Orsay. Again we had the opportunity to sketch around Villa Savoye and I sat up on the top floor sketching part of the building. I was surprised at how the walls were dirty when we arrived. In all the images you see these pristine white walls and it did not seem the same in person but it still was amazing to see such a famous structure.

 Then there was the day we visited Montmartre, seeing Sacre Couer and having portraits drawn by the artists nearby. My friends and I later returned for one's birthday to visit the Moulin Rouge, which was quite the experience in itself.

One of the last days we visited the palace at Versailles. I was enthralled by everything I saw and if the palace wasn't enough, walking the grounds took your breath away. However, they also had some contemporary sculptures displayed throughout the palace that weren't too appetizing. Some were interesting and create a unique dynamic with the space but then there were objects like the large pink feather helicopter that I feel just did not mesh well and wasn't very attractive to be honest.

I am sure I have left out some things we saw but the trip was so filled with wonderful experiences and places that it is difficult to think of everything upon returning. Now a year later I think about visiting the star outside of Notre Dame once more, ensuring another trip back. And maybe I will on my next semester to Italy!