Atlas by Jane N.

This book is for my mom, Hong Nguyen, for being so selfless and caring for me through thick and thin. I love you infinitely.

FOREWORD by Stacy Asher Assistant Professor of Art Advanced Graphic Design Fall 2013

Mapping for a Narrative Atlas During the Fall Semester 2014 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, students of “Advanced Graphic Design / GRPH 421 authored a collection of maps, charts and diagrams that centered around the concept of “well being or happiness.” Each designed artifact addressed aspects of individual design research and illustrates various methods of investigation. The Atlas publication is a compilation of works that document research and explain processes. Projects engaged students in the invention of unique graphic systems that visualize information about happiness andwell being. The designs represent quantitative and qualitative narratives and illustrate individual perspectives and interests. These visual displays charting well being and system were compiled into an atlas — a book of maps, charts, illustrations or diagrams united by the interpretations of happiness and system that are found within a society. The atlas represents a coordinated body of methods, a scheme or plan of procedure that was used to organize data from design research. Various production methods were considered and students were encouraged to explore a wide variety of media and design strategies. These methods were evaluated on their effectiveness as generators of visual information with respect to their project goals and intended meanings.

INTRODUCTION Many people assume graphic design is simply making something visually appealing, but it is much more. Graphic design entails concept and strategy. Everything should have a reason, therefore creating a piece of art with meaning behind everything within it, from the color choices to typography. The purpose of this book is to show my process of design, from research to notes to the final result, during the course of my Advanced Graphic Design class. Hopefully, one can see from my book how much process and thought I go through in order to make a graphic design piece. Enjoy!

TABLE OF CONTENTS Feng Shui 3

Typology

Inspiration

Research

Notes

Iterations

Final

Thesis

The Three Wise Men 41

Type Study

Inspiration

Past Study

Iterations

Final

Thesis

FENG SHUI

Typology

This is a typology of Feng Shui baguas as well as compasses. Both play a big part of the subject.

Typology

This is a typology of different websites of Feng Shui experts. I thought this was a funny study beccause most of the experts were white, middleaged women.

Typology

Inspiration

research

FENG SHUI EXPERT CONTACT

On 18-09-2014 Jane Ngo wrote:

On 25-09-2014 Jane Ngo wrote:

Julia Oberembt,

Julie Oberembt,

Hi, my name is Jane Ngo and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a student at the University of NebraskaLincoln. I am doing a design/research project about Feng Shui for a class. I would love it if I could get some information about your clients to create a map/chart. I would not need names, just information such as age, gender, location. If you could supply me with any information, that would really appreciated. If you want to get some more information, please feel free to contact me. My number is 712-898-8433.

Hello, I wanted to thank you again for helping me with the research. I also just wanted make sure that I clarified that I would like the addresses of the people you consult with. I was planning on mapping out Omaha. Thank you so much again. I look forward to hearing from you!

Jane Ngo

Sorry, I cannot give you addresses due to privacy issues. Because of this, do you still want other info ?

Julie Oberembt gave me a call a couple of days after to learn of my project and graciously accepted to help me.

Jane Ngo

On 25-09-2014 Julie Oberembt wrote:

On 26-09-2014 Jane Ngo wrote: That is understandable. Would the closest I could get on a location is city then? I would love other information please. Thank you so much again! Jane Ngo

On 26-09-2014 Julie Oberembt wrote: No prob with city. I will work on it this weekend!

On 26-09-2014 Jane Ngo wrote:

On 27-09-2014 Jane Ngo wrote:

Thank you so much! What information are you able to supply me with? I want to get a layout ready as a head start.

Julie,

Jane Ngo

On 26-09-2014 Julie Oberembt wrote:

On 27-09-2014 Julie Oberembt wrote: Also thought I might be able to supply occupation on a lot of them-could be interesting ?

http://makingmaps.files.wordpress. com/2008/01/wood_boylanatlas_ pumpkins.png Jane Ngo

28-09-2014 Julie Oberembt wrote:

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent several hours and I am only about 20% in. I have no more time to devote to this. I will send you 2 pages of my tallies on separate email. Hope it helps! Julie

research

Date of appt, birth year of client(s), gender, city&state.

That would be great, the more information, the better. I know you mentioned peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s privacy address wise, but I was hoping to create an abstract map with no streets, just graphics on a background that shows nothing of location but rather proximity. Would it be possible if you marked the location and took away the map? I have an example attached that indicates pumpkins that I wanted my map to look like. Let me know if this would be possible, thanks!

reserach

research

CLIENT DISPERTION From the information Julie Oberembt had given me, I was able to put together an abstract map of her clients across the Omaha, Nebraska area. All locations are dispersing from her office.

research

14% 34%

8% 11%

10%

23%

27%

research

12% 7%

26% 28%

200

400 PEOPLE

600

800

notes

As I learned more and more about Feng Shui, I realized a lot of chinese calligraphy was a part of it. I wanted to experience and try it for myself, that way I would have my own work incorporated. I then scanned them in and converted my best ones into vectors.

notes

color study

iterations

quantitative poster

qualitative poster

context photo

thesis

THESIS

thesis

This project is meant to introduce the general audience of all ages simple feng shui knowledge. The purpose is to educate people and give them ideas on how they can apply it. There are many examples of baguas that are meant to educate people, but my goal is not only educate them about the basics, but as well as tips to how they can apply it. That way, my design can be useful. Also, I wanted to add rationales to why people should believe in feng shui, which are the statistics. Therefore encouraging them to use my design. People are curious to why people use feng shui and of the results. My intentions are to shed light about this ancient art and expose it to others. I want to communicate the basics of the feng shui bagua, its history as well as how Cheri Oltman implements it. Cheri Oltman is a feng shui consultant that I reached out to as a part of my research. I was able to obtain some statistics as well as proximity of her clients in Omaha, Nebraska. I also turned to online resources to find some statistics of why people use it and of their results.

THE THREE WISE MEN

Garamond

type study

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Futura

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ABCDabcd Point 30 TITLE 1 Title 2 Subtitle

Paragraph Caption Tiny text

type study

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Point 8

inspiration

concept iteration

As another concept, I tried to emulate one of my inspiration photos. I combine three real-life people who I thought most represented each of the three wise men. I went on pursuing another one of my concepts.

frame options

past study

These are a some of my digital paintings I had done before. The reason I had such an interest in digitally painting the three wise men is because I have tried it before.

past study

reference photos

iterations

final digital painting

presentation

context photo

final project

THESIS I really got stuck on the portrait description part of the book at the beginning. To understand the story, I believe one needs to understand each of the wise men how each is different. I wanted to juxatapose that portrait with each of the sea animals with the wise men they were correlated to. I painted it digitally to go with the book where everything is veered towards technology.

Another obstacle I endured was painting of the transparent heads. It was easy for the octopus because I had a reference photo. The rest, I had to make up and make a similiar style to the octopus. I was happy with the outcome of the clothes. They are simple. I did not give too much detail to them so the focus would be on the heads. The suit is especially my favorite. Finally, I framed my digital painting in an old-styled frame to juxapose the old and the new. The new, being the digital painting. In the book, it mentioned that the painting was very obnoxious. I thought of it as almost poking fun, since I put the two together.

thesis

The imagination of the arms was definitely an obstacle. There was not much of a description except that it looked unhumanly possible. Ty is portrayed with a normal position because he was against completig the circle and the most human out of the three. Stention and Bailey have a pose that is not natural to imply their corruption and how robotic they are.

bibliography

CONCLUSION During the course of this class, I have furthered my design research skills. I believe this brings another level of sophistication and refinement to my artwork. I have improved my conceptual skills. I can give a lot more in-depth knowledge and explanation about my projects I produce.

This publication used the typeface “Futura Medium” by Paul Renner. It was printed at UNL’s Printing Services. The paper this is printed on is photowhite specialty paper. The book cover is 1/4 inch plywood (birchwood) and was lasercut at the University of Nebraska’s Architecture building. Photo credits: Jordan Lambert and Stacy Asher © 2014 Jane Ngo

BIBLIOGRAPHY Ariana. House Magic: A Guide to Bringing Grace to Your Space. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2002. Print. Deep, Mohan. “Survey Results: Feng Shui Success Rate Is 85%.” Feng Shui Miracle. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Eggers, Dave. The Circle: A Novel. New York: Vintage, 2014. Print. “Feng Shui Historical Timeline.” Feng Shui Historical Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. “Feng Shui Symbols.” Feng Shui Symbols. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. “Feng Shui.” Wall Street Chinese. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. “Feng Shui/Xuan Kong Da Gua/Binary Representation of the 64 Hexagrams.” - Wikibooks, Open Books for an Open World. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. “Flying Star Feng Shui.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 May 2014. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Foo, Lam P. “Why Do Americans Believe in Chinese Feng Shui?” Lam Pin Foo. N.p., 31 May 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Oberembt, Julie. “Feng Shui Consultant in Omaha, Nebraska - Julie Oberembt.” Feng Shui Consultant in Omaha, Nebraska - Julie Oberembt. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Rossbach, Sarah. Feng Shui: The Chinese Art of Placement. New York: Dutton, 1983. Print. SantoPietro, Nancy. Feng Shui: Harmony by Design. New York: Berkley Pub. Group, 1996. Print. Skinner, Stephen. Flying Star Feng Shui. Boston, MA: Tuttle Pub., 2003. Print. Smith, Molly C. “Are You Fire, Water, Earth, Metal or Wood?” SheKnows. N.p., 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Spear, William. Feng Shui Made Easy: Designing Your Life with the Ancient Art of Placement. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. Print. Tchi, Rodika. “Feng Shui Five Elements Theory: Productive and Destructive Cycles of Elements.” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. Wydra, Nancilee. Feng Shui in the Garden: Simple Solutions for Creating Comforting, Life-affirming Gardens of the Soul. Chicago: Contemporary, 1997. Print.