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The semester ended by the time that we figured out how to approach the project. Our time was divided between learning about the urban watershed, community service and then communicating our ideas online with the help of computer programs. |
Yeah, . . . I would not have sat down at computer unless I was made to, and I was. Now, I can do several programs I never dreamed possible . . . This studio gave me the opportunity to overcome a lot of my computer phobia. |
Speaking of phobia, I was at first paranoid to go and teach those kids about their own neighborhood. The environment seemed so threatening as well as the general fear of the unknown. However, I later realized that these rundown living conditions are due more to the city's neglect of Mill Creek's problems and not a reflection of how the people there want it to be. |
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It's ironic that today's infrastructure problems stem from yesterday's design solutions. I mean the creek was forced into a pipe but the topography still behaves as a watershed. We are dealing with a difficult set of conditions: hidden sewers that are filled beyond their capacity, unfamiliar territory, low-income housing, deconstructing environment etc. |
It was truly a challenge to celebrate water when it was buried sewage or oily street runoff.
This is not your basic fountain design exercise. It is rather an exploration into perception of water in an urban watershed. I think this is where the educational component played an insightful role in the design process. |
I'm glad that the workshop class was designed to run parallel with the studio project. I was able to focus on the construction integrity of my ideas, which in return affected my design. I just wish that there was more time to further explore the details of the social aspects and site drainage construction. |
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Not only that, because the web presentation structure is basically narrative, it forced us to deal with a whole new set of issues. . . While designing a website, you find yourself thinking about how to take yourself and the audience through a series of organized experiences. |
Designing for the web is valuable as a means of organizing thoughts and really making clear what it is that you are trying to get at. It can be useful in describing the
essence of a project. However, the means of representation on the computer needs to be questioned. |
I now realize that I never really questioned the manner in which I approached the design of material sites. Unfortunately, I was mainly concerned with the manner in which I presented them. |
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What do you mean? Are you saying that it is not possible to represent organic systems or a sense of
place through the computer?
Back to Gateways |
I feel that another language needs to be found other than slapping charcoal drawings up and hoping they read the same as on the wall or by taking snapshots of a computer aided drawing. Comments |
But it is not just about representation. We need to consider drawing as a design process as well, if not foremost. Yet, I don't think it makes sense to directly compare the two kinds of drawing as if they are competing. They are totally different - and we have to think of computers differently than just as DRAWING tools. HOW we design - draw, collage, map, write, photograph - is critical in determining WHAT we ultimately design. |