Paper Zoo

For this project we had to create 6 bio-areas(Polar, Rainforest, Ocean, Desert, North Plains and Savannah) and 12 animals.

Megalodon tooth assignment for DMA179 class

For this project we had to sculpt a replica of the Megalodon tooth and design a style guide.

Megalodon is an enormous shark (~52 ft in length) which lived 1.5 million years ago. The size of one tooth can be as large as 7 inches in length and 5 inches wide. Our model was scaled to the actual size. 

For the first step in this project, I sketched an illustration of a tooth with the following dimensions: 6.6 x 4.4 inches .

Next, I gathered all the necessary tools I would need for my project.

Using a hanger, I created a wire foundation for the model tooth. 

Then, I used paper to stuff the wire skeleton giving it substance followed by an outer shell of aluminum foil. 

 I secured the model onto a wooden block using a screw with a washer as seen above.

The next step was to mold the wire, paper and foil foundation using Super Sculpey clay.

I then etched in the appropriate markings using various instruments providing depth and the fine details.

After pre-heating a conventional oven, I baked the tooth for approximately 35 minutes at 275 Fahrenheit.

The model tooth solidified and it was finally time to paint it using oil paintings.

I added a few more last touches to provide realistic details and here is my final product. The whole project, including research, clay modeling, and the study guide, took approximately 12 hours to complete. Who knew it would take 1/2 a day? 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mjxZq-gH5qem3VIrl7_Zjt2NJdqaJHDSlffnHafpn3VQF_mWR67h-P3KaBPVId7w1WosCnip5OKQ9VE5s77_6i_Gh8VRpEMaQqhuIloRfHQ6tHU9VBGfybMWWjVTgk-o0JToZYI91HCl/s1600/Megalodon.jpg
Image for poster

 

User Interface Principles of Design

The Structure Principle

The interface of the software should have a meaningful design and be easily identified by the user. The more identical features should be grouped together and their opposite features have to be built separately so there is a clear distinction between them in order not to confuse the user.

Technique 1  Set standards

Technique 2  Align fields effectively

Technique 3  Understand the UI widgets

All the iTunes versions follow the same protocol with very minimal differences. All the columns are strictly divided by name, artist, albums, genre, etc. iTunes provides quick access to its main widgets. For instance: library, store, shared, genius, and playlists. 

The Simplicity Principle

What makes things simple? Clearly, reproducibility and repetitiveness makes things easier. Additionally, having the option of multiple language interfaces would provide access to all users. Use of shortcuts (e.g. hot-keys) within a design would also contribute towards simplifying a given task.

Technique 1  Consistency

Technique 2  Group things effectively

Technique 3  Word your messages and labels effectively

Skype UI provides an example of a simplified display. In addition to having multiple languages for users, the organizational format is easy to become familiar with. For example, the contact lists and task buttons are displayed in a simple to use column format and hot-keys are available for efficiency.

The Visibility Principle

The interface should be noticeable by providing the user appropriate information about the software functionality and should not bewilder the user by providing unnecessary information.

Technique 1  Use color appropriately

Technique 2  Navigation within a screen is important

Technique 3  Your design should be intuitable

Microsoft Word prompts users of spelling errors by underlining the word with a red color and uses a green color to indicate an error in grammar or sentence structure. Furthermore, the built in dictionary lets you find a necessary word faster and easier by providing suggestions. These features, in addition to the alignment of the main tools on the ribbon from left to right, provide a functionally noticeable interface.

The Feedback Principle

Any errors, exceptions, changes of state or unusual conditions should inform users in a clear and concise method.

Technique 1  Use color appropriately

Technique 2  Expect your users to make mistakes

Technique 3  Don’t create busy user interface

Eventually most users will come across a problem in the form of an error, change of action, and so forth. In such a case, the UI should identify this action. For instance, the iPhone’s SMS texting software indicate errors with a white exclamation mark superimposed over a red background providing a simple and effective method to denote a problem to the user .

The Tolerance Principle

An effective interface should allow the user to make mistakes and correct them at any point of time.

Technique 1  Expect your users to make mistakes

Technique 2  Don’t create busy user interfaces

Technique 3  Explain the rules.

Here is an example of a busy interface making it difficult to use.

Adobe suite allows users to make mistake and undo them by clicking CTRL + Z.

The interface should be simple and easy to navigate. 

The rules should be clearly defined by the UI.  Avatarize yourself application provides easy to follow step-by-step rules.

The Reuse Principle

Consistency within an interface design may provide a function of reusability minimizing the users need to rethink and remember.

Technique 1  Explain the rules

Technique 2  Navigation between major user interface items is important

Technique 3  Your design should be intuitable

Power Point provides templates of slide layouts, themes and backgrounds allowing a reusable interface for the user. The multi–format view option in this software allows a consistent and flexible interface that is readily understandable and easy to learn.

Project was made with Mohsin Kamal http://mohsinkamalmohammed.blogspot.com/

Vector Illustration

Original sketch by http://wandolina.deviantart.com/art/Girl-sketch-2-176631162

 My vector 

Here is my vector image made in Adobe Illustration CS4 and based on the pencil sketch (the courtesy of Wandolina from Deviantart).It looks better in Ai,but I had to download it as JPG and it lost its shine. Below are some of my comments  during the development of this project.

1. So, first I traced all the black lines with a pen tool.

2. Then I  created 7 main layers of different body parts of the  image filling them with colores , using Gradient color and clicking on G to make highlights I needed. 

 3. Then I adjusted the layers with  Pathfinder. 

4. My main layers include additional layers inside. When I needed some of them on top of some other layers,  I dragged them higher. 

5. For my next time I will try to avoid these little gaps, which I had to patch for not distorting the final image. 

First 3D in New Media Tools class

Art Research. Jon Burgerman.

The Renaissance exalted perception of art has gone, luckily to us - Digital Media Arts program students, and to a British artist Jon Burgerman.You can see his "wonky, wobbly, odd, happy and dumb" art on posters, stickers, toys, books, wood, bags, t-shirts, toilet rolls and in museums! Being a very successful artist, Jon Burgerman prefers to call himself a "Professional Doodler". Also he created a funny and extremely cute iPhone application called Inkstrumental, which I installed and fool around sometimes.Here is a link to the official site of this artist http://www.jonburgerman.com/

My vision of Jon Burgerman art