Foundations of Design : REPRESENTATION, SEM1, 2017 M2 JOURNAL - FLATNESS vs PROJECTION Lloyd Hsieh
996484 Jun Han Foong, Studio 18
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WEEK 3 READING: TITLE OF READING
Question 1: What is Pictorial Space according to Le Corbusier? (Maximum 100 words) Pictorial space is a representation of spatial perception through the harmonisation of elements and composition of frontal objects. Two-dimensional frontalities that fabricate the sense of distance and depth are deemed to be comprehended through individual’s inference. Le Corbusier confronted the contradictory notion of constructing a three-dimensional illusion of distance on a form of representation that is inherently frontal. In contrary, his emphasis was on colours and textures that express the “secondary qualities” of the subject. More importantly, the coherence of the simple geometric forms must result in an understanding of an integrated product of motion around and through the shapes.
Question 2: The Flatness of Le Corbusier’s painting’s are attributable to two properties. What are they? And what are these pitted against?(Maximum 100 words) The correspondence between frontality and rotation bridges the difference between the “ideation” and “experience”. Hence, Le Corbusier concentrated on the mutual interdependence between elements that encapsulates the idea, rather than “real space” that can only be denoted in a living perspective. He rejected the utility of black as a mean to demonstrate depth. The juxtaposition of black, that contrasts with its surrounding, helps to distinguish the elements. The contrast creates an illusory presence of shadow. Alternatively, Le Corbusier used colours that span the surface to the edges. Texture, continuous colour span, and shapes contribute to the legibility of one another.
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MARIO’S WORLD
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1ST MARIO’S WORLD
Axonometric Drawing of the 1st World
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COMBINED MARIO’S WORLD
Completed Axonometric Drawing
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WEEK 4 READING: TITLE OF READING Complete your reading before attempting these questions:
Question 1: Explain the difference between Pictoral (in this case perspectival) space and Projection? (Maximum 100 words) Perspectival space forms based on an individualistic viewpoint that is only applicable from that particular point of examination, meaning that it has positioned, motionless vanishing point(s). It exhibits a single experience in spatial construction, which is more realistic and natural. While it is appropriate for the portrayal of existing objects, projection offers to communicate multiple perspectives in extensive space. The absence of vanishing point in projection allows flexibility in the transmission of abstract information as well as capturing the simultaneity of time and space. Parallelism in projection also implies that it can visually demonstrate accurate measurements, reflecting the orthographic projections.
Question 2: Where did Axonometric projection first arise, and why? (Maximum 100 words) The military originally applied axonometric projection on visual simulations to illustrate projectile motions of trajectories in three-dimensional space. The appeal was the consistency of the method, which enabled them to get more precise charting. The discipline was later taught in engineering schools in relation to industrialisation and mechanization. Furthermore, axonometric projection became popular in the field of art and architecture. It developed the basis of architectural representation scientifically and mathematically. Modern artists with the ambition of creating the “new worlds” also adapted the technique to depict space and geometries that otherwise would not have been possible with perspective’s limitations.
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ILLUSTRATED MARIO’S NEW WORLD Given that the Mario elevations are based underground, my intention was to portray a cave that was gradually being developed into a liveable space with artificial elements integrated into the natural landscape. Cave typically are confined space with complex networks of pathways. Likewise, in Mario, there is the notion of following a complex, continuous track. Consequently, I wanted to emphasise on the spatial perception and the movements through space when designing my world. I attempted to construct clear, uninterrupted paths that run across the landscape in all directions. The water also flows from one space to another. In addition, I decided not to include a background because I wanted to demonstrate the contrast between closed and open space. Density and openness are quality that I wanted to illustrate through the contrasting spatial experience of the top and bottom layer. In that sense, adding a background would be a distraction and create the illusion of a closed off corner. Due to the cave’s connotation of coldness and mystery, I limited my colour palette to primarily cool and desaturated tones. The monochromic style is pleasing to the eyes in my opinion. Most of the colours were directly extracted from the given Mario elevations. Nonetheless, I also incorporated complementary colours (blue vs. orange) to create a contrast of the warm and cold. In addition, I made the individual bricks a variety of colours so the pattern is more distinguishable. I made two of the mountains translucent so that it is easier to distinguish the form and the details of the mountain underneath would not be hidden. Furthermore, the translucent mountain at the top compared with the solid, heavy mountain on the ground reinforce the difference in space between top and bottom.
Final Mario World
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Separate the world into layers – the translucent mountains, gradient for elements, and the general shapes/outline. I wish I made the shading more prominent in some areas.
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APPENDIX
Drawing Equipment - T square, rulers, set squares, pencils, eraser, tracing paper...
I did rough sketches of how I am going to develop the world before starting to draw the given elements in the elevation. This ensured that I could easily manipulate the thickness and position of the elements in projections, which definitely made it easier to incorporate the additional elements later on.
The first attempt of drawing my axonometric Quickly discarded this as I realised I should have change the orientation of the paper, knowing that it would be easier in the future to have drawings on less number of papers.
Axonometric Drawing Work in Progress
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