Wayfinding Solution Images

I created a quick SketchUp model of the parking garage that we are using and incorporated our solution of red tape on the floor and signs at the nodes.  Here are some images from that model...

On the 2nd floor, the beginning of our solution system...

 ...Looking up the stairs and seeing the next sign...

...Between the 3rd and 4th floors...

 ...Looking down the stairs from the 4th floor...

...and finally!  The tunnel entrance to the Kansas Union :)

Wayfinding Readings

To assist us in further representing and analyzing our situation, each of the members of the group completed some reading.  Here are the summaries of the clips I read from Lynch and Verplank.

Lynch – The Image of the City

·         Five elements of a city:  paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks

·         Paths – how people move through the city.  Streets, walkways, railroads, etc.

·         Edges – boundaries between two places, linear breaks in continuity.   Shores, walls, etc.

·         Districts – sections of a city that an individual enters “inside of”.  Identifiable from the outside as well as the inside.

·         Nodes – cores of a district, junctions and/or concentrations of paths.  Crossing or convergence of paths, enclosed square, street-corner hangout, etc.

·         Landmarks – external type of point-reference.  Building, sign, store, mountain, etc.

·         Elements constantly overlap and some are multi-purpose

·         Users create a mental image of the city.  The better designed the city is, the better image quality users have and the easier it is to navigate.

·         Environment should be organized to satisfy the individuals who inhabit it; different cultures have different needs.

Verplank – How do you KNOW?

·         Path knowledge – step by step instructions expected by the user

·         Map knowledge – Lynch’s belief of mental maps, “imageability”

·         Imageable cities have paths along edges, and/or landmarks at nodes to be used for navigation.

·         Applies Lynch’s ideals to modern technology, including a computer mouse, web pages, and a music synthesizer keyboard.

Expressive uses of paper

For this last project, we have been using computer and bristol paper to create different "skins" that might look interesting with light.  Learning how to use the texture and opacity of these materials has been interesting and the classes have come up with some pretty interesting ideas.  We are now working on how to connect our panels together, which is probably going to be the toughest decision of the project, including how we attach it to the light bulb without the paper actually touching the bulb.  Here are a few photos of our first run-through of skins made of computer paper:

Here are some of my improved skins made of bristol:

One Site

Here are some 3D renditions of what our word might look like up in the computer lab...

Photo Ops

This reading describes different techniques and effects that can be achieved using a digital camera.  The digicam has revolutionized the photography world.  The topics discussed include symmetry & asymmetry, repetition, framing, close-up, continuous mode, exploration, movement, and serendipity.  One that I found very interesting was the section on framing.  It describes how you can use framing subtly in the photo to accentuate the focus, but to be sure not to draw away from the main subject of the photo.  Also, using the continuous shots by following something that is moving past or by turning in a circle can create an interesting group of images.

Word Exploration

This week we have done different activities with our selected word.  First we had to physically cut and paste the word to create specific effects to represent the meaning.  Then we got to use Illustrator to do some more exploration activities.  I learned a few neat tools and tricks in the program to create interesting effects.  For next week we are going even further and adding color to our three favorite designs.

What Language Looks Like

For the beginning of this project, I chose the word withdraw.  The dictionary definitions of this word are as follows:
withdraw
     -verb (used with object)

1. to draw back, away, or aside; take back; remove:  She withdrew her hand from his.  He withdrew his savings from the bank.
2. to retract or recall:  to withdraw an untrue charge.
3. to cause (a person) to undergo withdrawal from addiction to a substance.

      -verb (used without object)

1. to go or move back, away, or aside; retire; retreat:  to withdraw from the room.
2. to remove oneself from some activity, competition, etc.:  He withdrew before I could nominate him.
3. to cease using or consuming an addictive narcotic (fol. by from):  to withdraw from heroin.
4. Parliamentary Procedure; to remove an amendment, motion, etc., from consideration.