As mentioned, I’ll open up the floor in class to ask any questions you have about the the design industry, especially focused on jobs, qualifications, pay, fees, etc…

You should look at your Interiors book in Chapter 1, Table 1.3 Design Specialties and Related Fields, pages 26-30 in Fifth Edition (close page numbers in previous editions).

I have made a couple of copies of the pages above and put them in an envelope on my office door for you to pick up, just in case you don’t have quick access to your book

Seeing all the job options may help you frame questions.

Megan

What an incredible image - it takes a lot to wow me and I am wowed by how this one done with all these chairs!

For this post, please think back through the beginning of the project to the end point.

The design magazine has been a great example of working the design process.   Think back of all the stages of building this magazine:

a. Marie Antionette Inspiration Project – served as the exploration into another designer/artists (in this case movie director Sophia Coppolla) creative process and how inspiration happens.

b. Personal Inspriation Board – served as the intro project to creating something based on your preferences and inspirations

c. Design Magazine Board – served as the first time you made concept to set a direction of your magazine.

d. Design Magazine Submission 1 (the first 40 pages) -  The first time bringing your concept together plus following the assignment constraints/requirements.  Many of you made substantial changes from what was shown on the board. Others of you just brought the ideas from the board into fruition.  And some of you were still looking for your flow or direction for your magazine.

e. Design Magazine Submission 2 (the next 50 pages) - This stage is where the magazines start to develop and edges are cleaned up and the project is well into process.  I noticed here most magazines had a defined personality and most magazines had improved drastically from the last submission.  Here you can see the designer knows what they are trying to create and they are making that vision come together.

f. Design Magazine Final Submission - not yet submitted.

Please answer the following questions:

1. List the 3 main things you love about your magazine.

2. List 3 things you would change about your magazine.

3. List the main 3 things you have learned about the design project from completing this project.

Thank you for a wonderful semester, I am looking forward to seeing you present your final magazines to the class.

In honor of the holiday, week 14 post will be a freebie post for everyone, you will each automatically receive the 5 pts for Wk 14 and are not required to enter any comment this week.  Please enjoy your holiday and be sure to give thanks where you feel thanks is due.   I’m thankful for this holiday – I am ready for a mini-break and some downtime with the family.

Please look around in magazines, recent films, current TV shows and identify what are the current and upcoming color trends in interior environments.

Describe what you think are the upcoming colors trends in the following ways:

1) What color palettes are being marketed?

2) What types of textures with the color palettes?

3) What type of materials represent the color palettes?

4) Why do you think these are the trends we are going to see ahead? In other words, what factors are influencing the color palettes. Think about the color forecasting lecture and how we discussed what creates trends in color, etc….

*Please watch these Videos on Understanding Color Palettes – it will help you further your understand of warm, cool colors and the psychology behind color palettes.

On 11/01 we will meet at the Product Expo. You’ll be expected to visit a minimum of 5 vendors tables and learn information about their product.  Your post assignment for this week is to answer the following:

1) List the company name of the 5 vendors tables you visit.

2) Describe each company and the type of product of they represent.

3) For each of the 5 vendors please give your opinion on what you think about the product(s) they represent?  Consider in what type of application would the product(s) be used in.

4) What did you learn about the design industry from visiting each of these vendors tables?

Layout out your responses in the format shown below:

#1.  Knoll Textiles.   Knoll Textiles has an expansive line of commercial and residential grade textiles. The textiles can be applied in all types of commercial settings including restaurants, hotels, hospitals and high traffic areas.  I was given a handout on the newest collection of textiles and they are digital prints.  Very beautiful prints and I had no idea that textiles could be so beautiful and diverse. I had no idea how many companies represent textiles and how many different choices there are. I also learned from speaking with the product representative that commercial textiles tend to cost more than non-commercial fabrics, and that prints tend to cost more because of the extra manufacturing required to create the pattern.

#2. xxx

#3. xxx

#4. xxx

#5. xxx

Stage 4 of the Design Process is Exploration. During exploration we are able to pull our design ideas out of brainstorming and concept and into an actual design plan. It is crucial you become aware of your process of reflection. Reflection during the design process allows us to critically think about our design plan. Reflection is also a crucial step in pushing the design forward because it allows us to truly understand our design.

Aspelund (2006) talks about 3 types of reflection “focused reflection,” “indirect reflection,” and “unconscious reflection.” Your assignment for this week is to provide a description for 2 of the 3 reflection types in relation to your design magazine project. Now, that your magazine is in full development, it is time to reflect on the status of your magazine.

1) Focused reflection – The act of problem solving and/or finding new solutions. Carefully go through your ideas for your magazine and break them down “piece by piece, element by elements and question it. Ask yourself: Does this work? Does that work?”

1a)Please identify 3 parts of your design that are working well.

1b) Please identify 3 parts of your design that are not working well and offer solutions to solve this issue.

2) Unconscious reflection –I use this type of reflection often. The premise of unconscious reflection is to follow your instinct and use your existing knowledge to solve the problem. Aspelund describes this as “Sleep on it” as a way to problem solve.

2a) Please discuss some new ideas/directions you’ve had on your project since completing the concept board? What changes are you planning to make?

2b) Describe what you think influenced these new ideas/directions to come to your attention? Was it seeing others ideas? Or feedback you received on your board and ideas? Or was it something else?  I will have my feedback sent to you by Tuesday 10/25 on your Part 1 Magazine.  I will also take some Tuesday class time to look at some magazines and discuss.