Forms in context: hybrid exhibit environments
Carnegie Museum of Art and Miller Visit
When I visited the Carnegie Museum of Art, I was astounded at all the amazing artworks. There were a few artworks that really caught my eye, but my favorite is the Guerrilla Girls digital print posters. I really liked the graphics on the posters as well as the typography that had powerful messages. I thought it would be interesting to play with the statements using technology.
I am curious to see what the posters would look like on a black wall or white wall because in the museum they were hung up against a very vibrant background which was another artwork.
After doing some research about the Guerrilla Girls, I realized that the Guerrilla Girls is an anonymous group of feminists that devoted to fight sexism and racism by making art. The group formed in New York City in 1985. The group of people believed that they could bring in the issues of gender inequality and racial inequality into the world of arts. Because the Guerrilla Girls developed these artworks only through print posters during the 1980s, I thought it would be interesting to incorporate technology which they have not done before.
When visiting the Miller ICA, I wanted to focus on where and what my eyes would lead to, so that I know how to organize the space based on where people’s eyes lead to. When I first arrived, I noticed the wooden stand that said Miller ICA. I didn’t notice there were large posters hanging near the door, but that might just be because I am short.
Overall, the place was a lot smaller than I thought it would be. It’s very open as soon as you enter with no other walls or dividers. Because the space is so small, I felt that the space shouldn’t have a lot of walls or dividers because it would feel small and stuffy. As soon as I entered, there was a very small space for an information desk. That area caught my eye because it was the only space that had bright light. I thought that would be similar to how I would organize the space since I plan on having a dark environment.
Miller Floor Plan and Elevation
Moodboard
Explanation
For this project, I want to exhibit the Guerrilla Girls’ digital print posters that focus on gender inequality and racial inequality. I think it would be interesting to approach their artwork with digital elements since their work is very retro style.
The color palette on the bottom left corner consists of black, white, yellow, and pink. I chose these colors because the Guerrilla Girls’ posters mostly use them. The two vibrant colors against the two shades can create an eye-catching contrast that can make elements stand out like how the Guerrilla Girls wanted to emphasize their statements about inequality.
The top right image is a picture of one of their artworks. Their artwork is very simplistic and focuses on the typography. The other typography pictures show a very similar font to the artwork- all bold and capital letters. Two of the typography pictures are being projected by light in a dark environment which is an element I want to use.
The pictures of the fabric panels is a material that I want to include in the exhibition. I wish to use fabric panels to project the statements that the Guerrilla Girls say in their artworks. Some people assume girls are fragile and weak which is represented by the thin fabric panels, however, the bright yellow, pink, and black messages displayed overcomes that with its powerful meaning.
The image in the middle of people focuses on how the Guerrilla Girls’ artworks depict the stories of different people fighting against inequality as well as the people who were victims of inequality. I also want the people who visit this space to reflect about any social issues that they have faced through an interactive and creative experience.
Concept and Storyboard
- overall dark environment, light is dependent on the fabric panels, big screen, and the spotlights near the entrance and information desk
3 Main Parts
- walk in experience
- creative experience
- informative experience
Walk in experience
- walk through a “maze” of fabric panels that are projected by Guerrilla Girls’ messages from their artworks
- text in yellow, pink, and black
- considering it to have a sensor where the messages appear when the person walks in front of a fabric panel
- have black arrows on the floor to help navigate
Creative Experience
- wide screen along the wall that says “Turn Your Issues Into Art”
- a touchpad with a pen so people can write how they feel about a social issue and can choose from white, black, pink or yellow
- bright screen will then show their artwork along with other people’s artworks that they made
Informative Experience
- display the actual artworks
- “Who Are The Guerrilla Girls?” and have information about who they are and what they do
Hybrid Space Reflection
The Hybrid MICE City of Busan is a hybrid space for people to host online events. It is located in a city in South Korea called Busan. Virtual conferences and exhibitions are held in a very unique way in which they feature participants in the form of avatars to make it seem like they’re all in the same space. In the midst of a pandemic where social distancing is needed, the creation of this hybrid space is very useful for many people who work in companies that need to hold virtual conferences as well as virtual exhibitions. The spaces are installed with the latest technology such as graphic systems, equipment, and service plans. This hybrid space is popular amongst foreigners who travel to Korea for business conferences. I personally think that this hybrid space improves user experience because it’s much more interactive and it mimics a business conference more than just a Zoom call especially in times like this where people are unable to meet without wearing masks.
Parti-Diagram
From my original draft of the floor plan and story board, I changed the location of the info about artist to be on the other side of the divider. I thought about what that wall would have because originally it was empty, but then I thought it would be efficient to have the information about the artist there instead of including that on the wall where the artworks are displayed.
Physical Model
- used tracing paper for fabric panels for now
- table, wall divider, and monitor made out of foam board
- white paper for the screen
Revised Parti-Diagram
- removed the wall behind the information desk
- placed the information about the artist to be before the fabric panels
- moved back the fabric panels
- made the screen shorter
Revised Physical Model
TinkerCAD
Designer Role Reflection: Difference Between Architect and Environments Designer
There are many different reasons to why an architect and an environments designer is different. An architect mostly has projects related to designing the building itself which includes considering about the exterior of the structure. An environments designer focuses more about creating immersive experiences inside the space for people. I feel that an environments designer can create experiences for virtual spaces as well such as space in a video game or virtual reality experience. In a world where technology is integrating to our everyday lives, environments designers can help create a more immersive experience for people.
SketchUp
- made sheer fabric panels with semi circle pen tool to create the fabric shape
- pink and yellow lights made on Procreate that have low opacity to act like lights
- on top of those lights will have black bolded statements from Guerrilla Girls’ artworks
- included yellow arrow on the floor to help guide people
- included illustration of the Guerrilla Girls’ gorilla mask face on the other side of the divider
- graphics on the floor (starting arrow, ending arrow, and footprint stance)
Final Parti-Diagram
- changed the location of CMOA information to near the door
Final Sketch-Up
- removed outline
- made the big screen smaller
- included the CMOA poster near the door
- changed the texture of the fabric panels to be more clean
Final Physical Model
- created more space in between the fabric panels
- included the graphics on the floor
Final Floor Plans and Elevation
Visualizations
- emphasized the light in the dark environment
- used the light sound dome for display of artworks so people can listen about the artworks instead of reading the descriptions
- included the graphics of the footstep under the light sound dome to help guide people
Final Presentation
Self-Reflection Meta-Cognitive Experience
What motivates you?
Throughout this project, I realized I really enjoy creating design for environments. I think because I enjoyed this project, I was even more motivated to work hard. I never felt like this project was just some kind of homework or chore. I was genuinely passionate about what sorts of things I could create for the exhibition. Learning about how to integrate technology aspects also kept me motivated because it’s something that I’ve never done before. Looking at the outcome from what was envisioned in my head is satisfying and exciting to see.
What distracts you?
There were times where things didn’t go the way I wanted to look, so it made me very frustrated, and I needed to take a break once in a while from working. There were also times where I would put all my focus on one thing, and couldn’t focus as much in other areas. I feel that it’s because I get so hooked onto something that needs to be perfect, so I tend to forget about other aspects that are as important.
What keeps you engaged?
This project really kept me engaged because I learning something new every class. Starting from CADTools to SketchUp to TinkerCAD then to making visualizations on Photoshop, the things I learned made me constantly feel interested and curious throughout the process. This project also requires considering a lot about the tedious things too, which made me think in depth about every little thing. I had to keep thinking about the best possible execution for every space. Because there are so many things that I needed to think about, the thought process always kept me engaged whether that was inside or outside of class. Another aspect that kept me engaged was that this project integrated communications and product design as well. I really enjoyed how I was able to decide what kind of graphics and furniture I could include in the space.
