Media Environment Spring 2014

Glass Environment Experience

Seoul Augmented Lighthouse - David Hall 2012

Preface

As you know the world of real time augmented reality is about to become a viable commercial industry with the final release and imminent large scale deployment of google glass. The implications of this and the wide ranging effects on human computer interaction, and experience have yet to be explored by artists and designers outside of a select few in the google development loop.

This semester I propose a visual exploration of the creative possibilities the this new platform.

Already attempts have been made to visualise an interface and methods of interaction for this device. You no doubt have seen them as the ubiquitous 2D menus overlaid onto an environment via HUD ( head up display )  of the wearable glass that google is proposing. Frankly this idea although clearly necessary and usable is not the creative exploration I envisage.

The real power of the system is its ability to alter our environment in real time. Not so much for its data access capability but for its transparency and seamless integration into our wired world.

Areas of exploration ( Ideation )

Augmented fashion

Augmented architecture and interiors

Augmented entertainment and systems

Augmented objects and graphics.

OBJECTIVE
To explore new possibilities and territories associated with HUD, real-time graphics and environment augmentation, please choose an area from the above for exploration.

METHOD

Step One
CONCEPT AND EXPLORATION
Research and analyse your chosen area.

Step Two
DIGITAL
Experiment with concept, and determine a present day symbolic structure for present day communication.

Step Three
FINAL PRESENTATION 
I expect each person to generate their own structured symbol system, them print out on a series of kites.

NOTE : As with ALL studio briefs you can interpret yourself and approach the concept differently. For example you may wish to base your graphic project on light trails from night flying kites, its your decision.

Media Environment Autumn 2013

Project 001 ( Duration 4 weeks )
Design for transmission

PREFACE
As you know the graphics design of remote signaling communication technology has a history going back millennia. The present day mobile phone is becoming essentially a remote visual messenger. The traditional Korean military signaling kite ( above ) was used extensively as a telecommunication device. During this short project we will analyze the symbols of the traditional kite and then design a modern set for the 21st century.

OBJECTIVE
To initialize and understanding of symbolic graphics AND a creative non linear approach to design solutions.

METHOD

Step One
CONCEPT AND EXPLORATION-( 1 week duration )
Research and analyze the symbols of the traditional kite.

Step Two
DIGITAL-( 1 week duration )
Experiment with concept, and determine a present day symbolic structure for present day communication.

Step Three
FINAL PRESENTATION -( 2 weeks duration )
I expect each person to generate their own structured symbol system, them print out on a series of kites.

NOTE : As with ALL studio briefs you can interpret yourself and approach the concept differently. For example you may wish to base your graphic project on light trails from night flying kites, its your decision.


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Project 002 ( Duration 4 weeks )
Landscape and Graphics

PREFACE
Emerging technologies such as laser fabrication, locative media, and pervasive computing have brought about new perceptions and social interactions in urban environment, transforming the ways we experience our cities. The concepts of space, time, and social relationship in urban environment are put in flux, while there are growing interests among communities of artists viewing city as social playground, public space, fluid canvas, and invisible layers of network.
However the urban environment is not the only available location for media. Rural, seascapes etc etc can all be utilized to express and research the possibilities of Installed locative media.

OBJECTIVE
To conceptually explore the possibilities of site specific locative media and design.To enable a connection between the environment and location.

METHOD

Step One
CONCEPT AND EXPLORATION-( 2 week duration )
Conceptualise and play with methods of integrating type and fabricated graphics into landscapes that you have already researched.

Step Two
DIGITAL-(2 week duration )
Fabricate, install, photograph and DV your work. Final presentation will be through a blog record of your project.


NOTE : as with ALL studio briefs you can interpret yourself and approach the concept differently. For example you may wish to base your graphic project on light trails from night flying kites, its your decision.

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Project 003 ( Duration 8 weeks )
FLOW
Motion graphics

PREFACE
Flow and fluid mechanics are a primary ingredient in all motion graphics and film. In fact the principles of fluid mechanics are present in almost all physical liquid or particle systems. In this project I want you to play with the concept of flow from a digital and analogue perspective. The end result of the project will be a 3 minute animation / movie, with a sound track ( can be beat driven it’s your choice ).

OBJECTIVE
To find visual patterns and rhythm's in the digital and analogue world that can be refined and experimented with to produce a 1 to 3 minute motion graphic for distribution via mobile phone.

METHOD
For each person the process will be different. These personal methodologies will be discussed in class.

NOTE : As this is the primary part of the class you are perfectly free to specify and proceed with your own research project. The only provision is that you write a detailed brief first.