TEDx Process!

I'm currently participating in an internship with four other classmates in which we are designing, building, and installing a stage design for a TEDx Talk at Wake Forest University.

Tubes, galore!  Here's the project after all the tubes were cut down to one foot.

I swear we're swimming in cardboard.

This is our first mock up of one modular piece of the stage design.  We plan to have plenty of these stacked up and around the stage.

The Beginning of Professional Practice...

Our first assignment for Travis' Pro Practice class was to create a resume, summary portfolio, and a cover letter.  This was the first time I have ever dipped my toes in placing graphics on important documents such as these.  After finishing the assignment, I have realized that I want to dive deeper into the possibilities of a resume and cover letter and branding my documents with my personality.  More to come, I suppose...

Cultural Self Portrait

For this assignment, we were instructed to create a self portrait filled with information about our families and origin as far back as we could find, how I ended up where I did and how my ancestors did the same, and what it means to be an American.

Lighting Sketch Series 5 - Revised

Here are the revised ceiling and lighting plans with all the outlets, data lines, and sprinklers noted.

Group 3 Exhibit

I really like the feel of these posters.  I love things that look like a sketchbook (i.e., top right), because they add a little personal touch to it, and draw the viewer in to look at every little detail.  The poster on the top left I love because it's simple, yet intriguing by using clean colors, a simple font, and different uses of scale.  The posters on the bottom right and bottom left I was drawn to because it still had that handmade touch, but it also brought cleaner lines and fonts to the table.

This is my rendition of something simple we could continue to add to as the project moves forward.  It's simple, with a personal touch [that would be less sketchy], and it brings all the necessary information to the table without being so in your face or too vague.

Light Sketch Series 5

Last Thursday, we were told to investigate what a reflected ceiling plan and lighting plan are.  We were given the option of 3 rooms in the studio arts building.  Here is my rendition of the digital lab (lighting plan = top, RCP = bottom).

Light Sketch Series 4

a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Semi-indirect lighting.

b.     Mounting type Sconce

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Attached to concrete wall using wall brackets.

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution There is light distributed both up and down from the luminaire.  By having the fixtures fixed onto the wall, the light is distributed throughout the stairwell, even in the edges.  It provides for a smooth transition from the natural light to the electric light.

g.     Material and finish Aluminum and plastic.

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed

j.      Ballasts Yes, there are ballasts on the upper side of the fixture.

k.      Environment The stairwell between the 3rd and 4th floors feels very cold and is a tighter space.  It's used only for traveling purposes and the lighting suits the needs by providing a directional feel to the stairwell.

l.      Shielding There is an aluminum barrier from the side of the fixture.  On the top, there are ballasts which help break up the light.

1. identify the purpose of the space Circulation throughout the stairwells.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task lighting, it's a directional lighting that guides you through the different levels of the building.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. It provides a directional and informational light that helps light up the sides of the stairwell that are opposite the natural light so that one may see from any place in the stairwell.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. Since the stairwell is concrete, which gives it a colder feel, it would be more comfortable if warmer toned lamps were used instead of what is in there now.

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a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Direct Downlight.

b.     Mounting type Pendant

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Hanging from high ceiling

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution By using so many luminaires, the studio space is a very well lit environment.  It provides an even amount of light throughout the open space of the work area, giving everyone the same amount of light.

g.     Material and finish Plastic

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed

j.      Ballasts None

k.      Environment The studio space; it's an open space with high ceiling heights and full of white and gray materials.

l.      Shielding Around the lamps, there is a dome-like shaped cover that is textured plastic which diffuses the light from the sides.  However, there is no diffuser on the bottom of the light, which is what the eye goes to.

1. identify the purpose of the space Studio space, work/task lighting.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task lighting, it's an overhead fixture that promotes work.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. The luminaires collectively provide an even amount of light that is then distributed amongst the many work surfaces.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. If you were looking for a more personal experience within your own work area, it would be beneficial to have the fixtures lower and closer to the students and a smaller scale.  Also, if the fixtures were lower and more manageable, it would also be helpful for them to be adjustable so that there is a larger personalization factor.

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a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Downlight.

b.     Mounting type Overhead and track lighting

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Attached to ceiling, as well as lights attached to a track.

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution The track lighting is very directional and acts as a spotlight against the wall.  The overhead lighting helps the area become a walkway as well as a pin-up space.

g.     Material and finish Aluminum.

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed and adjustable

j.      Ballasts There are ballasts in the overhead, fixed, lighting.

k.      Environment This area is used as a pin up space.  It's a textured wall that serves as display and is adjacent to the studio spaces.

l.      Shielding The ballasts in the overhead lighting serve as a small shield.  In the track lighting, only the end of the luminaire is exposed so that the light can be very directional and spot on.

1. identify the purpose of the space This space serves as a pin up space as well as a walkway.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task and accent.  The track lighting is task because it serves as a spot light to what is being displayed.  The accent lighting would be the overhead fixtures that help diffuse the light and make it more than just a pin up space, it also brightens up the area.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. It provides a directional light as well as a glow.  It helps you read and navigate the space.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. I would include more task lighting so that the wall is brighter and its more inviting so that the work being pinned up is displayed in the way that the artist/creator would want it shown.