Tuesday, October 27, 2015

BP: Peer Review 1

        
Madeline Morabito
                



This informance movie was on the fossil watch. I chose this still because I thought it was one of the more creative/ abstact photos that she used throughout the film. Madeline clearly explained the fossil watch as a product of consumerism and how it relates to the media through photos of the watch in pop culture and production. She also personally related to the watch through her own work experience and how much value it had in her everyday life. She did not completely divulge how the media has impacted the transformation of the design over the years, or how the brand has continued to renew itself to remain relevant. By showing the different sizes she touched on the design within the culture of consumerism. Her biggest emphasis was made on how this watch, and watches in general, enhance the quality of human experience, through statements like successful people care about time and therefore care about watches.

Although many of the points on the rubric were addressed the film did lack a level of creativity that truly engaged the viewer. Yes it was factual, but the lack of aesthetic value and limited inflection in the speakers voice made it hard to distinguish one piece of information from the next. The beginning was the most creative because it didn’t use images that were such a direct translation, and it forced the viewer to think outside of the box of a standard fossil watch.


Michaela Lisle



This informance film focused on the Sydney Opera House a well know architectural landmark for its unique shape. This movie was much more engaging and entertaining than the last. The transitions were smooth, and the variety of stills and video created a piece that was interesting and eye catching. I chose this still of the opera house lit up because it was the most memorable moment from the video. Also it addressed the cultural and social value that this structure has in Sydney. Michaela references ads in order to address the influence on media and how the opera house is a product of culture. The clips of pop concerts that were held near the opera house depict how the design competes in the consumer culture- by not being afraid to become modernized. The entire film illustrates how this structure enhances the human experience. Whether through a light show, a classical concert, or Katy Perry as the main event; the Sydney Opera house is a critical piece of the cultural values of this city.

Also I feel as though this piece pushed the boundaries more creatively than the last. The variation between the vivid film/images and the black and white slides with textual information created a beautiful contrast.

Overall both pieces approached the project in different ways, and both were successful in different ways. My final take from this comparison is that visuals are equally as important as facts. Keeping the audiences attention is the number one goal because without that the fine details will be lost.



Sunday, October 25, 2015

BP: Informance Reflection

I truly enjoyed the process behind the creation of my movie. I knew I wanted to expand from my artifact to the whole Harley World, in order to clarify how my bike was related to the design process. Overall, I was pretty happy with the outcome. One of the biggest difficulties I faced was what to feature and what to forget about. I had so much historical information in my storyboard that did not make it to the final cut. This was because I wanted the movie to have a more central focus. So I refrained from divulging into the history of the brand, and instead I focused on the design processes for one particular bike.

This choice allowed me to really explore the intricate details of the bike, the design process for this new genre of Harleys, and the advertising that was most relevant to my artifact. This allowed me to put this small portion of the Harley culture under the microscope. The cultural impact the brand has made is huge, and during the construction of my film I was able to condense a lot of information into a 4-minute movie that truly captures the essence of the Harley culture. The design element is also so crucial for the brand- it is how they continue to be relevant and create bikes that are timeless.


In regards to my personal growth from the project, I learned that you don’t have to cover everything to make an impact. Sometimes less is more, and by using a tight knit story the viewing experience is much more comprehensible and enjoyable. The movie making process also improved my familiarity with iMovie, and how to efficiently edit a film together. It was really fun to experiment with the various special effects the program offers, and how to successfully use them to make the film appear seamlessly strung together.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Sunday, October 18, 2015

BP: Target Observation


Picture taken by Alex Hamilton at Target Store- Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky/ 10-16-15



This first image is one a pillow with an outline of an owl, in gold screened to the fabric. This image is an example of how media and what is deemed fashionable eventually bleeds over into mainstream production, and becomes available for the masses. An owl has been deemed an animal that is unique and has been embraced by hipsters due to its elusive, outcast nature. The minimalistic approach with an iridescent undertone coincides with trends in design today. This pillow is advertised to consumers that want to be able to conjure a minimalistic sense of style in their home.

Picture taken by Alex Hamilton at Target Store- Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky/ 10-16-15



The next image also falls into the category of home décor. Here we have an everyday object necessary for any household- a soap dispenser, although this is not just as soap dispenser. The consumer that would purchase this seeks to embellish even the smallest objects in their environment. The design of the glass arouses a sense of vintage, as though this piece has traveled through time and somehow ended up in a 2015 home. The cracked platinum pattern makes the dispenser seem antique yet modern at the same time. This aesthetic is popular in today’s culture mixing the old with the new.

Picture taken by Alex Hamilton at Target Store- Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky/ 10-16-15


This object is also a design element. This style could be categorized as art deco, due to the geometric nature of the mirrors and the use of a lustrous gold color scheme. The media and consumerism is constantly reviving past trends and recycle previous motifs. This was style was highly desirable during the 80s, and clearly its placement in target indicates that is has once again become a popular style for today’s home decoration. This being a highly stylized version of a mirror it is not a necessity for a standard home. This is for interior décor that seeks to mover beyond function and to a place of ornate flourishes.
Picture taken by Alex Hamilton at Target Store- Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky/ 10-16-15


This is an image of several chairs currently displayed on the shelves at target. This is a perfect example of how past styles made popular by the media become reintegrated into popular trends of the 21st century. Each one of these designs is borrowed from a past era, but revamped to today’s standards by using fabrics that create a façade of value. The styles of the 50s and 60s were inspiration in the making of these chairs. However, because most of the consumers were not alive during these previous decades these designs seem novel.
Picture taken by Alex Hamilton at Target Store- Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky/ 10-16-15



The last image is a piece of mass produced decorative artwork that once again embraces the minimalistic trend advertised by many of the interior decorations magazines this year. A simple outline in a medium that is meant to resemble an ink drawing is an easy way to add the final trimmings to your home. Today artwork is less about whether its valuable or not and more about the overall attitude it evokes in your home. For the consumer that is less high-art conscious this image would be of interest; nevertheless a beautiful piece.