Main | September 12, 2004 - September 18, 2004 »
September 08, 2004
Intro to Interactive Graphics
I had my first class in Golan Levin's Fundamentals of Interactive Graphics course last night. It's taught through the art department, with a strong programming component. Here's the description:This course is an introduction to the use of computer programming as an expressive visual tool. It is a "studio art course in computer science," in which the objective is art and design, but the medium is software. Rigorous exercises in the Proce55ing flavor of Java will develop the basic vocabulary of constructs that govern static, dynamic, and interactive graphics. Topics include the computational manipulation of: point, line and shape; texture, value and color; time, change and motion; reactivity, connectivity and feedback. Students will become familiar with basic software algorithms, computational geometry, digital signal filtering, kinematic simulation, and the application of these techniques to aesthetic issues in interaction design.
We'll be learning Processing to create works of art and design. But it's not just using the computer to make art: it's using the computer as the medium of art. It's not a computer graphics class; it's rather about responsiveness, creating pieces that respond to human actions and operate in cultural and aesthetic spheres.
Despite its brutal time period (6:30-9:30 pm), this could be a really fascinating and challenging class.
Posted by Dan at 05:14 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
A Sandwich Made of Type
An in-class typography project: Each student had to bring in a sandwich in a brown paper bag to graduate typography class. The sandwiches were "shuffled" and laid out on a long table. Then we each chose two of them to describe: what they were like, what characteristics they possessed, how we thought they were made. And finally, what faces they would be if they were fonts. (Someone suggested my turkey on wheat was like Cooper Black.)We then took our own sandwich, and choosing a font, cut and pasted letters (with real scissors and glue) onto a paper plate to recreate our sandwich. (My sandwich was remade with Trade Gothic.) Interesting.
Posted by Dan at 04:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 07, 2004
Tim Brown on Design Education
NextD, the NextDesign Leadership Institute, has an interesting interview with IDEO CEO Tim Brown, discussing (partially) design education and how schools don't properly prepare their graduates for working at IDEO."I think that the breadth of practical skills that institutions perceive their students need means that often not enough attention is given to the core thinking skills of empathy, analysis and synthesis around more complex problems. We have to work hard both to find people with the beginnings of these skills and then train them to bring them to a level where they can make significant project contributions. We are having more success with designers who have a more eclectic background and perhaps already had a career in another field before they enter design."
Posted by Dan at 03:57 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Obeying the Rules
My graduate typography class, taught by Kristin Hughes, began with a review of the basic rules of typography, very much like Karen Moyer's lecture on What's Normal.The rules to generally obey are the following:
- For optimum legibility, choose classic, time-tested typefaces with a proven track records.
- Be mindful not to use too many typefaces at once.
- Avoid combining typefaces that are too similar. It looks like a mistake.
- Text set in all capital letters severely retards reading. Use upper and lower case letters for optimum readability.
- For text type, use sizes that according to legibility studies prove most readable. These sizes range from 8-12 points.
- Avoid using too many different types sizes and weights at the same time.
- Use text type of book weight. Avoid typefaces appearing too heavy or too light.
- Use typefaces of medium width.
- For text type, use consistent letter and word spacing (kerning) to produce an even, uninterrupted flow.
- Use appropriate line lengths. Lines that are too short or too long disrupt the reading process.
- For text type, use line spacing (leading) that easily carries the eye from one line to the next.
- For optimum readability, use a flush left, ragged right style.
- Strive for consistent rhythmic rags.
- Clearly indicate paragraphs. You never have to indent the first paragraph of a column.
- Avoid widows (words left on a line by themselves) and orphans (a single word at the beginning of a column or page).
- Emphasize elements within text with discretion. Never combine small caps and regular caps.
- Always maintain the integrity of your type. Avoid stretching or distorting your typefaces or putting text on a curve.
- Always align letters on the baseline or the meanline.
- When working in color, ensure that sufficient contrast exists between type and its background.
Posted by Dan at 02:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 06, 2004
Fall 04 Assistantship
My assistantship for fall is TAing the Introduction to Interaction Design class. This year, they split the interaction design class into a fundamentals class, taught by John Zimmerman, and an advanced class, taught by Jodi Forlizzi.After Rob Adams' post about some of John's ideas, it'll be interesting to sit in on the class.
Posted by Dan at 08:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Blog Database Hosed
My blog's database was either maliciously or else mistakenly deleted. Either way, it no longer exists. Thus, a "do-over." Thankfully, all the entries from last year are still safe and still accessable, albeit with last year's visual design on them.
Adding to this, my servers were located in Florida--directly in the path of the latest hurricane, so there's been some delay in getting this new year of posts up and running. Thanks for your patience.
Posted by Dan at 05:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack