Photography
Photography
Photography is an ongoing hobby of mine but a project that I greatly enjoyed was my Higher Photography which had the title of 'Modern Architecture Of The City.' For this project I was focusing on photographing architecture (mostly modern) and buildings that contain linear structures, that created bold contrasts and shadows giving them depth. Taking the photographs up close of parts of the buildings I was documenting would allow creation of abstract shapes leading to the natural lighting left on the building. To make each of the photographs more dramatic and to emphasise their form, I added a black and white filter.
During the research stage, I was interested in photographers that dedicate their portfolios to architecture such as Sebastian Weiss. He is a German architectural photographer and designer where his work focuses on street photography. He models a new uniqueness highlighting clear lines and forms found within the architecture he is photographing. Another influential photographer called Martin Waltz, also based in Germany, focuses on portrait and street photography. Waltz is a keen observer of fragility and transiency in urban life. His most popular style is dark, grainy photographs that create a large contrasted black and white image. Johnny Kerr was the last photographer I took inspiration from, particularly his project called "Abstractions". He tended to photograph buildings of a large and small scale where you received a sense of great depth in his images. He also used a black and white filter to create a dramatic atmosphere towards the viewers of his work. All three of these photographers create composed beauty in the colourless photos they produce. Each photographer uses linear abstract shapes and forms to construct their compositions and this was something I wanted to use within my portfolio.
Exploring several locations around Edinburgh, I was keen to photograph buildings that use line within their structures. The use of two materials to manufacture a building was also important as it would create great texture within my images. Using juxtaposition enabled me to capture different angles from different levels rather than relying on the camera zoom and lens. My photographs were taken in the winter months which was ideal as low lighting allowed crisp shadows to be formed. 'Modern Architecture Of The City' consists of twelve photographs from six shoots in and around the City of Edinburgh.
Photography is an ongoing hobby of mine but a project that I greatly enjoyed was my Higher Photography which had the title of 'Modern Architecture Of The City.' For this project I was focusing on photographing architecture (mostly modern) and buildings that contain linear structures, that created bold contrasts and shadows giving them depth. Taking the photographs up close of parts of the buildings I was documenting would allow creation of abstract shapes leading to the natural lighting left on the building. To make each of the photographs more dramatic and to emphasise their form, I added a black and white filter.
During the research stage, I was interested in photographers that dedicate their portfolios to architecture such as Sebastian Weiss. He is a German architectural photographer and designer where his work focuses on street photography. He models a new uniqueness highlighting clear lines and forms found within the architecture he is photographing. Another influential photographer called Martin Waltz, also based in Germany, focuses on portrait and street photography. Waltz is a keen observer of fragility and transiency in urban life. His most popular style is dark, grainy photographs that create a large contrasted black and white image. Johnny Kerr was the last photographer I took inspiration from, particularly his project called "Abstractions". He tended to photograph buildings of a large and small scale where you received a sense of great depth in his images. He also used a black and white filter to create a dramatic atmosphere towards the viewers of his work. All three of these photographers create composed beauty in the colourless photos they produce. Each photographer uses linear abstract shapes and forms to construct their compositions and this was something I wanted to use within my portfolio.
Exploring several locations around Edinburgh, I was keen to photograph buildings that use line within their structures. The use of two materials to manufacture a building was also important as it would create great texture within my images. Using juxtaposition enabled me to capture different angles from different levels rather than relying on the camera zoom and lens. My photographs were taken in the winter months which was ideal as low lighting allowed crisp shadows to be formed. 'Modern Architecture Of The City' consists of twelve photographs from six shoots in and around the City of Edinburgh.
Forming Objects
This was a six week project where we were asked to work individually to design and develop multiple responses to three typical product design 'client briefs.'
Imagining applying for a Product Design job but the application process only allows space for a 10 page portfolio. The employer wants applicants to showcase their competencies in sketching, idea generation, concept development, form creation, 3D modelling and rendering.
Our three objects were determined by Render Weekly, a platform created for industrial design rendering.
Icon Article
Icon Article
Atelier Wunderkammer presented many deliverables that were to be completed as a team or individually. As individuals, we were tasked with finding our own agenda by producing an illustrated and deeply researched article that responded to the Atelier Wunderkammer theme. We took inspiration from the British design and architecture magazine, ICON, which was established in 2003. We had to think of this piece of innovative writing as a double page spread that would be published and printed in the ICON magazine. It had to differ from previous publications by which we had to make it our own creative conceit. Delivering this made it easier to express the point of view that could inspire us as individuals to connect with the shared minds of the 'Atelier'.
Atelier Wunderkammer presented many deliverables that were to be completed as a team or individually. As individuals, we were tasked with finding our own agenda by producing an illustrated and deeply researched article that responded to the Atelier Wunderkammer theme. We took inspiration from the British design and architecture magazine, ICON, which was established in 2003. We had to think of this piece of innovative writing as a double page spread that would be published and printed in the ICON magazine. It had to differ from previous publications by which we had to make it our own creative conceit. Delivering this made it easier to express the point of view that could inspire us as individuals to connect with the shared minds of the 'Atelier'.
Squirrel, Badger, Hog, Fable
For my expensive module of Level 3 Product Design, I chose to go a little out of my comfort zone by opting with a Contemporary Art Practice module. We were introduced to a broad range of painting practices, providing an opportunity to expand our knowledge of historical and contemporary painting concerns. The module consisted of lectures, talks and group discussions drawing in on the experience of a range of artists who have a background in utilising painting as part of a wider spectrum of methodologies and research practices.
The module will encouraged us to adopt and develop an appropriate set of skills as we explored the connection of materiality and process with subject matter, specifically within the context of our own work. It also enabled direct access to original work through visits to artists’ studios and exhibitions accompanied by the provision of artists’ talks as a means of engaging more directly with the workshop or studio processes involved in the evolution of the work.
We were tasked with producing a body of work as a result of full engagement with the module materials and our own independent research. This was to be accompanied by a short text articulating, and reflecting on, the progression involved in its evolution.
Originally, I was interested in architecture and how their forms create strong contrasts against their backgrounds and surrounding environments. I thought about mixed media by which I attempted to blend some photographs of buildings found around Edinburgh with vibrant yet abstract painted backgrounds. It was a process of layering and experimentation as I was influenced by the Pop Art movement where it was thought that the idea of art can draw from any source, and there is no hierarchy of culture to disrupt it. Pop Art was defined by characteristics such as innovative techniques, bright colours and mixed media, which created the easily recognisable pieces of work found within the movement. Andy Warhol inspired my project as his typical method of producing artwork was the repetition of images, and the use of advertising as subject matter. I also took inspiration from David Batchelor and Gerhard Ritcher as their visual art was abstract yet minimalistic. I decided to experiment with palette knife painting with a view to blending and creating unique, colourful pieces of work.
At the early stages of experimentation, I did build up various painting skills to allow me to complete different pieces of mixed media. I took myself out of the sketchbook and onto a different material of MDF. Continuing to paint with the palette knife I tried creating parts of architecture I had photographed, with acrylic. This lead to drawing with markers on top of the acrylic layer then I decided to explore cityscapes. Taking the idea of vibrant, abstract painting and the visual appearance of a city, I blended the two together to produce a collection of cityscapes. Each has a name or quote on the reserve to allow the viewer to fully visualise the artwork.
Final Outcomes
