I made a telescope that looks like a giant eye to represent the fact that they were observing and waves with alternating colours to represent the gravitational waves. Using only 2 colours was definitely a challenge but good practice for the risograph infographic as we are only limited to 2 colours for the first brief. Things like negative spaces and drop shadow helped give the design more of a depth as well.

Another workshop we had was the “Data in Home” workshop in which we had to use our surroundings to display quantitative data. Again, as we aren’t in the normal class setting, we had to make use of what we had at home. I used the data off of an article on NASA that talked about what the universe was made up of. I decided to use my scarf and create a spiral galaxy-esque shape to represent each “matter”. The largest percentage of matter was dark energy which ended up being the area I focused on for my infographic. I thought this workshop was a good way to make us think out of the box of how you can manipulate existing objects to represent data. As most of the time, when we see numerical data it’s hard to imagine how big a number is until you see it visually represented. This made me start thinking of how I would do the second brief that has to do with 3D printing.

The first thumbnail was supposed to show the data in a spiral imagery where in which the top half would show the first data release and the bottom half would show the second data release. The second thumbnail showed a diagram of what the dark energy camera looked like and how each element worked. In the third thumbnail, I wanted to try out layering 2 paper together to include a cutout element. The infographic would be visible through a series of cutout rectangle boxes that mimicked how the camera took pictures during the survey.

I was quite happy with how the infographic turned out. The information flowed together nicely. I was quite intimidated at the start as I picked an organization that I wasn't completely comfortable with since I am not well versed in Science. However, as I did more research and read up more about the topic I was beginning to be able to explain things about the survey and the dark energy camera more fluently. I was also afraid the colours seemed a little too feminine rather than neutral but playing with the different tones, layering the colours on top of each other and using about the same amount of each colour helped balance it out. The one thing I want to reconsider the comic panel that is at the top half as it is a little too congested. I would also like to include more data but I’m a little worried it might be too much with all that’s already going on.

The review process for the first brief felt more straight to the point compared to the previous peer review sessions last term. It helps us understand where the issues are right away so we can go in and adjust accordingly. We also had a marker activity in which we scribbled and highlighted parts which we felt were good or could be improved. Overall, I’m really appreciative to the nice comments that were left on my infographic. I was really happy that people could understand what the infographic was about in the first place, that meant I was able to succeed in relaying the data. As for the critique, I agree with quite of them, such as the text being too small and how I could redistribute the illustration to an empty area at the bottom right corner to balance it out. There was also a comment about how I’ve used a few different typefaces when in actuality I’ve only used 2. It probably seems that way because I used different weights of the same fonts, so I might have to fix that. I would definitely be adjusting my design according to the comments on my final development of the graph.

This week we started the second brief which had a 3D aspect to it. We were basically required to create a 3D object that would include data related to our organization. The 3D object would then be placed on a key poster that explains more about the data and gives context to the object. I was really worried initially as this brief requires quite a lot of quantitative data, there was a requirement of at least 5 points on each data set. We did a little workshop on brainstorming ideas of how we could translate the data on to the object, with what forms of shapes and what key concepts we would focus on. I tried thinking of some ideas and could only think of using the telescope, as it was a key feature in my risograph. I also wanted it to be an object that you could take apart and put together again like a puzzle or like blocks of lego as I wanted it to attract a young audience. I decided to speak with Chris and he gave me some good ideas of how I could use different parts of the telescope to show different sets of data. From there I started developing more on the 3D object worksheet. I was also advised by Paddy to just make the legs printed 2D on the poster and have the telescope printed 3D so it becomes somewhat of a 3D poster with the telescope popping out.

Reference:

Alderson, R. (2012, June 22). Whoa! NASA scientists transform a gamma ray burst into a musical score.

It's Nice That. https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/nasa-gamma-ray-burst-into-music

Learning Autodesk Fusion 360 was a lot less intimidating than I expected it to be. I suppose it is possibly because we can export SVG files from adobe illustrator. This makes the process a lot faster for me as I don’t have to fiddle around using the sketch tools on the software. Especially since my shapes were more organic and would be much easier if drawn by hand. After the class we were given a chance to have a go at the software and here is my initial test:

I was able to get feedback on the built of the telescope right before production week which was really helpful. Paddy advised me on a couple of things such as using the cut and join features to make the interlocking parts of the telescope. This would make it a lot easier to align. He also told me to make sure the thickness of the walls of the telescope isn’t too thin as it would have a risk of snapping while people handle it, minimum 2-3mm. Other things he mentioned was to engrave a code or number at the sides of the telescope, so people know which part goes on top of the other. For this, I tried out two methods one where the numbers were engraved in the side of the telescope and one where the numbers were extruding off of the telescope. I feel that maybe the engraved numbers would be a better idea because if the numbers were extruding off of the side it would have a risk of breaking off. The comment about the code gave me inspiration for the poster and I was thinking I could do a poster inspired by the look of a spaceship control panel. I then developed the telescope one more time according to Paddy’s comment. Here is what the final telescope looks like at the moment:

After completing the poster, I started to figure out how I could create mockups of the poster with the 3d object on top. I rendered the object with a white glossy plastic finish, as that is the closest to the material we would be using to 3D print, and captured it as an image in Autodesk (and also went a little overboard with the different angles). Here are how the mockups look like currently:

There is a world of a difference between the first key poster I made and the one I ended up submitting for the end of brief review. I think overall I am quite happy with how it turned out even though I was doubting a lot of things before uploading it. Things like the negative spaces felt awkward and I was worried the text was too small ( I actually made it bigger, it was a lot smaller before this) and the DECAM logo thing at the top left corner. I wanted to incorporate an element from the previous poster but it felt sort of random in the context of this poster. However, after looking at the renders with the 3d telescope on top of the poster, it felt like the poster fit together well, luckily.

The way we reviewed the posters/objects was similar to the previous brief in which we had to fill in feedback forms and then, later on, highlight and comment on specific areas of the poster. It was a bit worrying that I got a feedback that said they weren't sure why the shape of the data defers in size or if the wave/point was on the inside or the outside, it made me think of how I could make that more obvious somehow. Also the comment Hannah wrote about how I could add more info (i.e the exact number of objects found) to the outline that the parts of the telescope sits on sounded like a good idea. The review session made me realize that there are more things I should include as someone who is looking at it for the first time wouldn't already have the background info I have. Paddy also felt that it was easy to see how the telescope would interact with the poster as I had 2 poster mockups, one with the object in its full form and one with how it would be if it was taken apart and laid out on the poster. I am very appreciative of the really nice comments and that people liked my poster and felt that it was the best aesthetically.

I received my telescope and it was really exciting to finally hold what I only imagined and saw on my screen. There are a few places I could improve the telescope in, such as making the little interlocking bit between each part of the telescope bigger so it wouldn't snap and break off easily. Paddy did warn me about making that bit too small but I didn't realize how fragile it could be. I would say I did pretty good for someone who was 3D printing for the first time.

Since I want to praise for knowledge and learning more, both of my tones are positive but focus on different perspectives. For tone 1, I wanted to give a more empowering message that encourages curiosity and how knowledge has the power to define the future. For tone 2, I wanted to give the sense of unity, how working together can ultimately help us move forward in exploration.

Pictures from: https://pinaffo-pluvinage.com/

Reference:

Brewer, J. (2018, January 16). The papier machine collection of DIY electronic paper toys reinvents the activity

book. It's Nice That. https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/papier-machine-electronic-toys-book-product-design-160118

Very inspired by Papier Machine, I sat down and started playing around with my Chibi light kit. I had the idea of using shadows to somehow display the data set of dark mass (68% dark energy, 27% dark matter and 5% visible matter). I thought since I made a telescope for the previous brief, what else can you see out of? Goggles. And so, goggles it was. I traced out my glasses to get somewhat of a realistic shape and size of glasses and then I mapped out where I imagine the lights to be. Once I did that, I taped on the conductive fabric tape and tested out if the lights worked. Here I ran into an issue because the positive side of the battery was touching both the negative and positive tape which meant the electricity didn’t flow through properly. So, I had to rework how the tape was pasted near the batteries and make sure the negative tape went to the negative side of the battery and the positive tape went to the positive side of the battery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this creative tech workshop because we learned how to use the circuit playground and NFC tags! It was so cool to see how the circuit played out what we programmed. Programming was also another thing I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I think because of things like the make code website, the whole tech feels very achievable to someone who has 0 background knowledge in programming, opening us up to a whole new world of possible outcomes.

We also had an aftereffects workshop, another workshop I was excited for, I always wanted to properly learn the basics of Aftereffects. Granted I could always YouTube it; it was nice to have an actual class on it for a change. Especially when there’s something specific I want to do, it’s harder to search for on YouTube without the proper term for it. Johnny taught us a lot of the basics and even some camera work that’s possible on Aftereffects for a more theatrical effect. It gave me a lot to think about the fourth brief, in which the outcome is a video abstract on our whole project. However, because I’m so focused on finishing my phase 1 & 2 outcomes, I might only be able to think about the video abstract during the Easter break. I know I want to use illustrations and animate them for sure but, I’m also thinking about incorporating a little bit of filmed footage. Maybe I’ll look for inspiration as well as what the previous level 5 created for their video and create a mini mood board. I hope to have some stuff ready so I can consult Johnny after the break, in case there’s a specific thing I want to try out in Aftereffects.

I talked to both Chris and Nicole to discuss my idea about the playground/exhibition and how I developed it from phase 1. I was happy that they thought it was a great idea. I explained how I wanted to expand on the concept of an immersive education experience and take the audience through a journey where they learn about dark energy along the way. I sketched out how I imagined the playground/exhibition to look like.

Julio Le Parc, a 92-year-old artist, curated an immersive light installation at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery during the Serpentine Winter Programme. I was really inspired by this installation as it was meant for people of all ages. The installations were a collection of Julio Le Parc’s previous works that the audience could walk through. It included experimentation with lights combined with physical interaction and visual stimulation (Serpentine, 2021). A lot of the themes in the installation were political activism. Julio Le Parc mentioned, “Through this interactivity, the viewer learns to think with a broader perspective, discover new ways of interacting with the wider world” (Himelfarb, 2014). I really feel like this quote resonates with what I’m trying to achieve with my exhibition. Letting the audience learn through an immersive experience.

1. Light up Info Panel ^

I was really proud of myself at the end of this brief as I was able to achieve both my outcomes (though they still need a little bit of polishing up). Seeing as a whole, I struggled with this brief the most as it took me almost 3 weeks to get an idea for phase 1. This did lead me to rush my phase 2 outcome a little. However, I’m still really happy that I was able to create very relevant outcomes for my topic. I also felt like I applied a lot of what I learned during the semester in this brief, so it made me feel that much more accomplished.

I completed all of my renders for the exhibition and decided to make a branding deck that includes all the materials in one spot so it would be easier to view. Here's a closer look at all the rooms:

Again, storyboarding was a breeze thanks to Chris’s suggestion, because I could listen to my voiceover and sketch out each scene as I imagined them rather than going back to my abstract and reading out the sentence and then sketching it. I normally have a difficult time storyboarding as I tend to get overwhelmed with the number of things I have to showcase. Luckily, I created most of the visuals already through all the previous brief, so at this point, all I had to do was combine them in a coherent way where they can flow into each other and look like one product. As mentioned above in my inspirations, I wanted to continue the risograph effect throughout the video, so it looks consistent with my previous outcomes. Other than the sketches, I also noted down some transition and animation ideas I had.