Intresting Interiors

The picture is an example of Tel Aviv's based Nofar Architect and Urban Planners. This corridor brings new light into what people expect of a passageway. With the large windows, it brings light into the corridor, but that is not the only thing interesting about this picture. This picture has so many examples of the elements and principals of design.

This picture has many types of Interior Design elements. The most noticeable one is lines. Straight lines, horizontal lines, curvy lines, all of these lines are incorporated in this picture. An obvious choice for another element is space. Even though this has high ceilings, it is an enclosed space with both positive and negative space. This photo has so many different shapes in all different sizes which gives the photo more depth. The photo also has a lot of visual texture. From the ceilings to the floor, and even the stairs all of them help the 2 dimensional photo feel 3 dimensional. The last two design elements are truly the most noticeable in this picture. The light and color scheme in this space are extremely emotional. The large windows and a sunny day can make an impression on someone.

This picture not only has elements of design it covers a lot of principles of design also. Even though the room may not be symmetrical, it seems to be very balanced and have equal proportion. (Another Principle of Design) The room also seems to have a lot of rhythm with the staircases to the large windows and high ceilings. Even though the finishes have a lot of different variety, it creates a lot of unity throughout the room, which creates harmony in the large and in charge space.

Unusual Materials

Unusual Materials are two words that is becoming more and more prevalent these days. It seems like everyone is trying to go “green, “and finding new ways to reuse materials without leaving behind the innovative ideas. Everything from old tires to recycled metal is being used in unconventional ways to create new and exciting products.  While searching online, one can find endless example of recycled and reused materials that are being used in ways that wasn’t the intended to be used on the first place. Since people today have more and more things that are invented daily, things get used once and thrown out. But thanks to certain individual’s talents and interesting ideas the saying that are some people’s trash are now other people’s treasure is becoming true.

There is one individual that seems to stick out the most in the use of unusual materials.  His name is Benjamin Rollins Caldwell. He is tad eccentric to say the least.  His motto is re-think, re- purpose, re-invent. This is truly an understatement of his work.  Benjamin Rollins Caldwell uses the most unusual, weirdest materials in his works of art.  They are more than just pieces of furniture; they are truly works of art.  One of his creations is an interesting use of bicycle parts. It was a rocking chair and the parts you would expect him to use were nowhere to be found. The rocking chair was made out of recycled bicycle chains and recycled bicycle tires. Even though these may not seem like sturdy materials, they are supported by a 98% recycled steel frame. This chair’s base is made out of the bike tires and the sling that you sit is made up of the bicycle chain. Though these may seem impractical and uncomfortable but it makes a beautiful piece of art. These two materials, recycled bicycle tires and recycled bicycle chains, are even unusual to be unusual materials. The most common recycled materials are car tires and industrial chains. These materials have been evolved into many different things and hopefully through the visions of Benjamin Rollins Caldwell bicycle parts will be used more often.

Design Expo 2011

Design Expo, on October 4, 2011, was such a great experience.  Even though Lubbock, Texas is not a prime design place, many companies flock to the city during the Design Expo. It gives them a chance to talk to students who are potential clients or potential employees.  Not only do students come to the Expo but also many companies in West Texas who want a close to home consultation with companies.  The Design Expo draws many different companies from chair manufacturers to tile. One of the most interesting companies that was at the Design Expo this year was Takeform. Take form is an architectural graphics and signage company.

Takeform is an extremely technologically forward company. They were showing off their new touchscreen computers that are bound to be everywhere in the near future. Though they may not be the first company to think of this, note the uWink café located in Los Angeles, they may be the ones to perfect the idea.  In the demonstration video, it showed how it could be helpful in restaurants.  Not only can you order and pay without waiting on a waiter/waitress, but you can add food to your check as you go along, even if the waiter/waitress has disappeared (which happens A LOT when a restaurant is busy).

Another amazing use of this table top touchscreen computer is the fact that it can entertain you too! All of the computers can entertain either yourself or your children with interactive games. Not only do these have games but they can be spilt into separate screens so multiple people can use it at the same time.  This would be great if you have multiple children so they do not fight over the touch screen. Not only will the touch screen have games, it will have internet so you are able to check your Facebook or your other email or other life essentials in our fast moving, technologically advanced world!

One downfall of this idea though is the loss of jobs.  Many are concerned that with the influence of technology, many people will lose their jobs and their livelihood. Though it is not ideal that people lose their job to technology, some view it very necessary.  Because Technology can reduce the amount of human mistakes which therefore make the process of going into a restaurant more efficient.  The jury is still out though of what people really think of this idea because though this technology isn’t new, the idea of using it in this way is.

If y’all have time you should check out the link to the demo video!! Here it is!

http://tapcode.net/

Sources:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2007/sb20070123_902747.htm

Blog Post #4

The assignment was to go find the six (6) major uses of fabrics. They are seating, window coverings, wall coverings, panel systems, floor coverings and fiber based art. After gathering pictures from around the Texas Tech campus and researching information about all six (6) of the uses for these fabrics, here is a summary of all the information that was found.

SEATING

Seating is the most common applications for all fabrics.  Here at the Student Union Building (SUB) is a velvet chair that has obliviously taken a lot of wear and tear. One thing we have learned about velvet though is that it is a fabric that is wonderful for seating because of its high durability. The velvet chair at the SUB did have obvious wear marks but the chair itself was in excellent condition and was still very comfortable!

                                       

Window Covering

                                      

Another highly recognized and common use for fabric has to be window coverings. Window coverings, whether they come in the form of drapes or curtains, etc, can highlight a room’s beautiful natural light source. All window coverings are not cookie cutter, they come in many different sizes and shapes but all are beautiful in their own way.

One fabric application that is not as common is wall coverings. Fabric wall coverings were so 70’s with the bright colors and ugly prints, but, new chic and durable wall coverings are quite popular especially in high traffic areas. The wall covering in the picture above shows a wall covering that was used in the Student Union Building. I am not really sure what type of fabric it was but it seems to be extremely durable and did not have and noticeable wear marks.

COVERING

PANEL

One less common use for fabric is panel covering. Most panels are used in offices as cubicle walls, or as in this case a panel covering system.  This panel system is in the University Library and in this case, it is used as more of a sound barrier as well as a room separator. Most panel coverings are gray and nylon, so they are not the most attractive of all the fabric applications, but they are helpful when studying during finals with a lot of other students.

Coverings

Floor

Floor Coverings.  They come in all different shapes, sizes and even colors.  They endure the nastiest, dirtiest things that people barely even think of.  Floor coverings have to be durable and decorative. Current day consumers care a lot about the appearance of floor coverings because they are an important to the design of a room.

FIBER BASED ART

 Fiber based art seems hard to come by these days with all of the digital printing going on. The fiber based art that we see mostly these days are flags. Most flags are made out of nylon and waterproofed giving them a not so soft feeling. These flags are a great example of fiber based art. They are made of durable fabric and can be used in either indoor or outdoor.