Assignment I: Documentation
Kicking off the spring semester, students were asked to create and provide documentation of the East Falls Bridge through photography, drafting, and drawing. By representing integral parts through documentation, students were able to understand the structure and design of the bridge. Additionally, the creation of a collage provided an introduction to Photoshop; an integral tool for future assignments as well as the professional field.
Site Map
In order to fully understand a structure, context of its surrounding is critical. Sitting over the Schuylkill river, the East Falls Bridge connects Martin Luther Kind Drive and Kelly Drive
Drawing based on a bridge perspective
Assignment II: Manipulation
Using recent documentation of the East Falls Bridge, students were tasked with post processing and manipulating preselected photos from assignment I, in the attempt to successfully convey desired aspects in each perspective to the viewer.
Focusing on a single structural member, the edited perspective forces the viewer to focus on its significant level of detail
Adjusting the lighting in the photo as well as the bridges saturation, the edit draws the viewer to the opposite side of the bridge, acting similarly to a vanishing point
Highlighting the bridges reflection on passing vehicles, the edit aids in giving the viewer of how light travels through the structure
Assignment III: Collage
Using the skills learned in previous weeks, the focus of assignment III is to breach the gap between digital design and hand drafting. Drafting over a plot of original images of the bridge on mylar, the drafts were then scanned into photoshop and back into the image, creating a focal point in the image, as well as giving it a unique style.
Before (Left), After (Right)
Before (Left), After (Right)
Assignment IV: Representation I
Assignment V: Representation II
Taking the orthographic hand drafted in assignment IV, the drawings were then drafted digitally using AutoCAD. After completing the elevations, sections, and plans, drawings were then taken to Adobe Illustrator and post processed. Utilizing Illustrator’s vector based program, line weights were established and defined throughout the drawings.
Assignment VI: Vectors
Before (Left), After (Right)
Taking advantage of Adobe Illustrator’s vector and fill capabilities, assignment VI focus is to editorialize a selfie into a self-portrait. By analyzing the various hues and values in the image, contours were then able to be created. By representing contours with different Pantones, a 3D self-portrait was established.
Assignment VII: Free Swim
Given the opportunity to redo a previous project, it was decided to go back and reevaluate assignment II. Taking comments from critique, perspectives were then improved accordingly. After reprocessing the images, they were found to be much more successful, and representative of their original focus.
Before (Top), After (Bottom)
Before (Top), After (Bottom)
Before (Left), After (Right)
Before (Left), After (Right)
Assignment VIII: Constructs
Taking techniques learned in the Adobe suite and applying them to our studio course, the goal of the project was to post process documentation of the site/model of a case study. Using the Vanna Venturi house designed by Robert Venturi in Chestnut Hill, PA, distracting background space was removed and replaced with a black fill, to give the model focus, and to provide a clean finished look. The model was originally shot on a Heliodon, which is able to adjust its lighting based on the location of the site, the time of year, as well as the time of day.
Assignment XI: Narrative
Teamed with Lauren Sterner, our task was to create a 24x36 competition board for a famous architect, our being Steven Holl. Focusing on Holl’s St. Ignatius, the board attempts to convey the structure attention to light, as well as reflect on its spiritual symbolism.
Assignment XII: Narrative (Continued)
Taking some of the information learned about Steven Holl from the previous assignment, the objective was to create a portfolio for our assigned architect. With the intent of conveying important aspects and characteristics of the architect to the reader with selective imagery and composition, the portfolio focuses on Holl’s fascination and use of light to defined and expand upon the spaces he creates.
Assignment XIV: Redux
Applying rendering processes and skills learned from previous projects such as Vector and Representation, project Redux provided the opportunity to take those skills learned and apply them to our main design class. By drafting an exploded axonometric, the interior space was much stronger and readable. By moving the project from AutoCAD to Illustrator, line weights were able to be defined, as well as stylized rendering that brings our the program of the structure.
