Foundations of Design : REPRESENTATION, SEM1, 2017 M2 JOURNAL - FLATNESS vs PROJECTION Mingjie (Jack) Zhang
(910787) Junhang 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 that which cannot be entered or circulated through; it is irremediably space viewed from a distance, and is therefore eternally resigned to frontality.” Le Corbusier’s understanding of pictorial space translates to something that could only be understood when seen from a certain angle/distance, making his architecture and painting works focus on the flatness and frontality for the viewers.
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) Le Corbusier’s painting’s flatness could be credited to two properties, including the continuity of edges as well as pure extension. They are pitted against the use of black/contrast and textures.
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MARIO’S WORLD
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1ST MARIO’S WORLD
My initial skeletion of the Mario world is quite congested in nature where blocks are packed very closely to each other; this has inspired me to shift my
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attention to spaces under the ground level.
COMBINED MARIO’S WORLD
This drawing has established a substantial underground network to the Mario world, giving it an overall industrial-esque feeling. This narrative could be developed by adding related elements such as metal pipes that releases steam geyser or rail-tracks.
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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) The system of perspective utilises a set of vanishing points where all horizontal edges converge towards them. The geometric properties of the objects are therefore usually distorted, emphasising the primacy of pictorial space as well as the subjectivity of the viewer. Projections, on the other hand, is usually associated with concise and scientific objectivity, as the vanishing points are extended to infinity and aspects that usually wouldn’t be seen in perspective are revealed.
Question 2: Where did Axonometric projection first arise, and why? (Maximum 100 words) Axonometric drawings are popularised by the need of military drawings, such as charting the threedimensional trajectories of artillery projectiles. This system of drawing extends to the field of engineering due to the historical context of mechanisation and industrialisation. Architects picked up axonometric drawings as they are concise, measurable and highly objective, making it the ideal presentation of architectural structures.
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ILLUSTRATED MARIO’S NEW WORLD
To represent a worn-down, grimy and retro industrial landscape, a variety of textures such as rusty iron and steel mesh are used in conjunction to an overall gloomy and bleak colour scheme.
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ABSTRACT My version of the Mario world is meant to represent a worn-down and bleak factory in the past (or in the future?). The overarching theme is clearly defined by the grimy and rusty atmosphere, accompanied by many industrial textures resembling an actual factory space. The underground network including converyor belts and walking paths are developed in relation to the production blocks above ground, thus creating a harmonious complex that produces wooden blocks and coins for no specified reason.
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APPENDIX The initial tracing of my drawing is very chaotic as many geometries overlayed each other. Fortunately, as they are kept in separate layers according to their positions, adding texture and colour is made much easier in the later stages of the process.
The original tracing file is duplicated in order to try for suitable colour schemes and textures. A variety of textures, such as coarse sandstone, worn metal, steel mesh, brushed metal are experimented with different opacity, gradient, etc. A brownyellow colour scheme emerged suitable of depicting a worndown industrial space.
This illustration is in its late stage, awaiting final polish and additional details. Metallic pipes, wooden blocks and an even more elaborative underground network are decided to be added.
Some more refinements are taken after this: addition of vertical steam pipes, steam cloud and characters. Some textures and their corresponding brightness is adjusted. However, shadows are left out in this process as they create some visual cluttering.
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