tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56132243351407793142024-03-13T10:22:00.283-04:00JHG - Design JournalThis is a journal kept during my time as an industrial design student at University of the Arts.
It starts with my sophomore year at UArts, my first year in the industrial design program.
It remains as an archive of my progress as a designer containing my assignments and projects.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-44171253617685392922009-09-04T10:20:00.002-04:002009-09-04T10:28:19.851-04:00Design Philadelphia Buttons<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/3887241886/" title="DesignPhiladelphia Buttons by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3887241886_2c6439a8e6.jpg" width="400" height="166" alt="DesignPhiladelphia Buttons" /></a><br /><br />This is my second year interning for <a href="http://designphiladelphia.org/">DesignPhiladelphia</a>. Last year I designed the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/3886475009/">laser cut event signage</a>, and was part of the team that designed the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/3887271704/">illuminated outdoor signs</a> that were placed at all the events.<br /><br />This year one of my tasks was to design the promotional buttons. They are all "d"s and if you flip them over they are "p"s too. They are worn in pairs to spell "DP" for DesignPhiladelphia. <br /><br />Each button is a photo taken in the streets of Philadelphia. Hopefully locals will recognize a few of the letters taken from the signs that they have been looking at for years.<br /><br />The DP team will be handing out the buttons and other goodies tonight in Old City during First Friday, so please come out and show your support.<br /><br />Check back for more posts about DesignPhiladelphia between now and <a href="http://designphiladelphia.org/all_days.php">Design Week, October 7-13, 2009</a>!Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-4517546802948213872009-06-13T12:26:00.004-04:002009-06-21T18:26:43.157-04:0010,000 Photos!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/3621784745/" title="IMG_0001 by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3621784745_03794a17b6.jpg" alt="IMG_0001" height="266" width="400"></a><br /><br />The photo above was named "IMG_0001" by my camera. It took me a bit by surprise to see the photo counter on my Canon 20D roll from 9999 back to 1. I probably would have saved the shot for something a bit more interesting had I known. <br /><br />I reluctantly bought the camera in Colorado when I was working for the College newspaper. I realized I couldn't keep up with developing film every week. Back when I was working for Joel Meyerowitz Photography I noticed that I had taken 2000 photos, and thought that was a big deal. Rob, a coworker, said "some people take that many photos in a week," which somewhat lessened the accomplishment. Well Rob, a person would have to take one photo every minute, for eight hours a day, for seven days to take 2000 photos! I'm happy to have chosen quality over quantity.<br /><br />Recently my photography has been centered mostly around presenting and promoting my design work, and less on fine art photography. After taking 10,000 digital photos I have to think there are at least a few good ones.<br /><br />See more of my photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/">Flickr</a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-12945371142158710032009-03-30T18:34:00.007-04:002009-04-01T18:29:06.390-04:00Waking Up to Industrial Design<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3870653&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3870653&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />Hey, wanna see something weird?<br />I made a short film about how sometimes I get a little preoccupied with my work. I wanted it to be a film about me, but I couldn't find a director of photography to film it. My solution was to have an actor play me. Adding to the weirdness is the fact that the actor playing me is a woman. <br /><br />The project that I am currently borderline-obsessed with is my Vegetarian Deer Mount. The half finished sculpture makes an appearance in the film. Occasionally I wake up having had surreal, project related dreams. This film is an exaggeration of that kind of morning... and it's supposed to be funny. Look for the finished deer in a few weeks.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-41541833324818691072009-03-30T12:03:00.007-04:002009-03-30T18:28:17.549-04:00Book Light<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3321599394/" title="Book Light by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3321599394_ac40c7795f.jpg" alt="Book Light" height="278" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Part of the junior ID class has taken on a project that addresses the human factors issues in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhgimages/sets/72157614645607384/">UArts library</a>. One of the most noticeable design flaws is the lighting. The florescent lights are standard tubes, fixed to a 3o foot high ceiling, that cast a dim green light over the work areas. <br /><br />This is the first of many concepts for creating an environment that students want to be in. The Book Lights are inexpensive and easy to construct. Elegananly simple, it has only one flatpack piece, plus bulb, socket, and cord. The warm glow comes from a CFL that illuminates at a low temperature, guaranteed not to scorch the books.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3398299149/" title="BookLamp by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3398299149_0df7f92f21.jpg" alt="BookLamp" height="100" width="90" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3399108882/" title="Booklamp by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3399108882_a4d05e266e.jpg" alt="Booklamp" height="100" width="99" /></a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-45096712819339863282009-03-13T18:01:00.006-04:002009-03-13T18:57:08.465-04:00Allen Shelf<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3352494094/" title="Allen Shelf by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3352494094_dc420acb22.jpg" alt="Allen Shelf" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />Flickr for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3351668587/in/photostream/">more photos</a><br /><br />This is the first prototype for the Allen Shelving system. They are light shelves with surprising strength. They have the look of two layers of honeycomb stuck together, but are made from one solid piece. The different sizes of honeycomb pattern give it a random looking underlying structure, even though the pattern is even and uniform. <br /><br />The shelves were named for both the Allen Wrench and Allen Ginsberg. The first thing that was placed on the shelf was a book of Allen Ginsberg's poetry, and the honeycomb pattern looks like the head of an Allen Wrench. My system for naming objects I design is quite profound, don't you think? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3351769357/" title="Allen Shelf by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3351769357_c00c767df3.jpg" alt="Allen Shelf" height="198" width="400" /></a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-38851296727655101822009-03-05T00:25:00.005-05:002009-03-05T00:40:17.663-05:00Lemonade from Lemons<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3329428129/" title="IMG_9501 by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3329428129_0c7934bab7.jpg" alt="IMG_9501" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So, I was documenting how to make a lamp so that I could post it on <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_dress_a_shop_wound/">instructables</a>, when I stopped drilling into the LDPE and started drilling into my hand with the most savage looking bit known to man. Unfortunately I was making the instructable for a <a href="http://window.punkave.com/2009/02/26/ides-322-instructables-part-2/">class</a>, so I had to do it even though I was bleeding profusely from the thumb.<br /><br />To kill two birds with one stone, I decided to switch the focus of my DIY projcet to fixing my f-ing hand. Thus was born the <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_dress_a_shop_wound/">How to dress a shop wound</a> instructable... I hope you never have to use it.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-47874825067738563452009-02-20T14:43:00.002-05:002009-02-20T15:15:18.777-05:00Made of China<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3017774291/" title="Made of China by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/3017774291_2fc50f0d15.jpg" alt="Made of China" height="300" width="450" /></a><br /><br />Fine china is used as a ritual object in many households; being used only a few times a year on special occasions. Traditional design is challenged with the Made of China line of fine tableware. Maintaining traditional materials, while using the design language of disposable items questions the elevated status of fine china.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=893103&da=y">full line</a> includes porcelain plates and dessert tray, hand-blown glass water bottle, silk napkin with printed "wrinkles" in silk packaging, and silver "disposable" utensils.<br /><br />This project was a lesson in traditional crafts. Learning to create and produce multiples of high-end, craft based products, using traditional techniques was one of the greatest technical challenges I've faced so far.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=893103&da=y">Download the PDF presentation to see the full Made of China line.</a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-52623930213760498342009-01-30T11:37:00.005-05:002009-01-30T17:46:29.830-05:00Write Like Jesse<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3239209039/" title="WriteLikeJesse by JHGImages, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3239209039_e788d684b8.jpg" alt="WriteLikeJesse" height="121" width="400" /></a><br />Now you can write ransom notes and other nefarious documents in <a href="http://www.dafont.com/write-like-jesse.font">my hand writing</a>! I made the font so that I can maintain continuity between my concept sketches with handwritten notes, and presentations designed digitally. In the end it looks very similar to how I write with a pen; so much so that it's creepy to see things that other people have written with it.<br /><br />I encourage you to <a href="http://img.dafont.com/dl/?f=write_like_jesse">download "Write Like Jesse"</a> and write things with it that I never would!<br />(and email them to me JesseHGerard@yahoo.com)Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-54169072170934853162008-12-31T17:36:00.006-05:002008-12-31T18:39:05.753-05:00Collab 2008: 1st Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27283393@N06/3017774907/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 306px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/3017774907_c23a79b241.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Philadelphia Museum of Art's Collab gallery has a student design competition every year. This year the topic was "Processing Frank Gehry," to coincide with the gallery opening of architectural models at the Museum.<br /><br />My entry is the <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=894111&da=y">Lewis Bench</a>, a set of two laminated plywood benches. I'm pleased to say that I was awarded <a href="http://www.philamuseum.org/information/47-155-504-389.html">first place</a>! The former organizer of the competition said that it was the first time in the sixteen year history of the student competition that a project has been unanimously chosen for first place by all the judges.<br /><br />There were murmurs among my classmates that the winning bench would be made by the museum. Unfortunately that never happened, and the bench still remains a quarter scale model.<br /><br />One of the judges was Lewis Wexler of the Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia. Talking with him after the competition, he mentioned that if I build the bench, he will put it in his gallery. So, if you love the bench, and would like a one of a kind piece of furniture from an up and comming designer, than by all means please get in touch with me.<br /><br />The PMA website has a very official looking posting of all the <a href="http://www.philamuseum.org/information/47-155-504-389.html">Collab Student Competition: 2008 winners</a>. Click the links to see the <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=894111&da=y"><span style="font-weight: bold;">poster</span></a>, <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=894111&da=y">more photos</a>, and <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=894111&da=y">information</a> about the bench.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-32319452935667744182008-07-28T12:27:00.003-04:002008-07-28T13:22:18.671-04:00The Salp Light<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2710231821_4abf8fb5b7.jpg" alt="Salp Light" height="267" width="400" /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=716669&da=y">Click here to Download The Salp Light PDF</a><br /><br />The Salp Light is a modular light fixture. Chaining together individual “salps” enables the user to adjust the look and luminosity as desired.<br /><br />The first question that you may ask yourself is "What the hell is a salp?" to which I would respond "It's a marine invertebrate that is a very important step in the evolutionary chain... which happens to look like clear jello with a blueberry stuck in it."<br /><br />The project brief this time around was "Biomimicry": Looking at plants and animals natural systems as design inspiration.<br /><br />Previously this year I haven't had the chance to do any lighting design, which is one of my very favorite areas of design. Once I found the tubular, gelatinous, bioluminescent salp, I couldn't keep my self from lighting any longer.<br /><br />For much better explanations of both the salp, and The Salp Light, consult the <a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=716669&da=y">PDF</a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-58603565747923696032008-05-12T22:37:00.003-04:002008-05-12T23:23:45.312-04:00iClamp Pro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/SCkEbaSY7MI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Jv4MAz-ir10/s1600-h/iClamp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/SCkEbaSY7MI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Jv4MAz-ir10/s400/iClamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199692113735380162" border="0" /></a><br />Sick of trying to read the JHG Design Journal with only 1/4 of a screen? Then you need the iClamp pro: The perfect accessory for any almost new MacBook Pro<br />where 75% of the screen is gray due to a factory defect!<br /><br />But seriously, there is a short circuit in my laptop screen that causes the bottom part of my screen to turn gray, like in the photo above. The only fix for it is to squeeze the screen with a clamp in just such a way that the screen connection is pinched, and the circuit uncrosses.<br /><br />Apple products are beautifully designed with careful consideration to detail, and assembled with very tight tolerances: but it doesn't matter if the thing doesn't work and you have to stick a giant orange clamp on it!<br /><br />I'm going to have to make a visit to the church of Steve Jobs (Apple Store) and get this straightened out.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-74833944964880460732008-04-07T13:08:00.002-04:002008-04-07T13:22:15.274-04:00Re/dis-assembly<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SHc-N9ChscA&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SHc-N9ChscA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />For Materials and Processes class, Tristan and I were asked to rip a printer to shreds to see how it works. It took us 45 minutes, you get to see it in 5, in reverse, with a catchy soundtrack. (Sorry about the gray screen at the beginning, I guess youtube dropped it or something.)<br /><br />If you listened to the live sound, you would hear me telling Tristan to get his head out of the picture every five seconds, I guess that's why we decided to be designers and not actors.<br /><br />All the parts were recycled properly when the project was over.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-12647959005583034182008-04-03T10:13:00.011-04:002008-04-07T13:07:58.939-04:00Nimaya - Architecture Graphic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R_TmM4CgNkI/AAAAAAAAADc/XxT_l5B_ZWQ/s1600-h/Architecture+With+Logos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R_TmM4CgNkI/AAAAAAAAADc/XxT_l5B_ZWQ/s400/Architecture+With+Logos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185022179885987394" border="0" /></a>This is a graphic design project I did for a software company called <a href="http://www.nimaya.com/">Nimaya</a>. I was asked to do a visual redesign of their <a href="http://www.nimaya.com/products/architecture.asp">Actionbridge software Architecture Graphic</a>.<br /><br />Unfortunately I was mostly asked to design for graphic appeal, not clarity. It's like looking at the pictographs of an ancient culture, no one really knows what they mean, but they're pretty. That being said, think my graphic is considerably more clear than the one it is replacing. Decide for yourself, their old graphic is below.<br /><br />It was fun doing this project, working with the company was really easy and smooth. It was good researching a product that I had absolutely no experience with, and then conveying that knowledge through a graphics project.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R_pUpYCgNmI/AAAAAAAAADs/wmEABnZ0ia0/s1600-h/mash-up+soa+mock-up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R_pUpYCgNmI/AAAAAAAAADs/wmEABnZ0ia0/s200/mash-up+soa+mock-up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186550990674867810" border="0" /></a>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-56350783322883861502008-03-23T13:42:00.005-04:002008-11-09T12:48:14.345-05:00Flex Bench - 2x4 Final Presentation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R-aZcYCgNjI/AAAAAAAAADU/I15BiUAZrh0/s1600-h/Flexbench.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R-aZcYCgNjI/AAAAAAAAADU/I15BiUAZrh0/s400/Flexbench.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180997134104671794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=893108&da=y"><br /></a><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=893108&da=y">Click Here to Download the 2x4 Final Presentation PDF</a><br /><br /><br />Make a finished piece of furniture and a presentation that sums up a half-semester project, all in 6 days: no problem. I was so exhausted after this project that I'm only now posting it four months later. I think first semester sophomore year at UArts is like ID boot camp. They kick your ass early to make sure that you can handle it.<br /><br />The bench turned to be pretty cool; it's still flexing and is in one piece. If you want to see it, I have it in my living room. See a recap of the project and the final product in the pdf.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-91174888695491845812008-01-09T18:30:00.003-05:002008-03-23T13:30:11.002-04:00Wind Powered Bubble Blower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R4VZXom5ldI/AAAAAAAAACs/bkyGg98fkTI/s1600-h/Motion%2BBubbles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R4VZXom5ldI/AAAAAAAAACs/bkyGg98fkTI/s400/Motion%2BBubbles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153623611167839698" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=471715&da=y">Click Here to Download the Wind Powered Bubble Blower PDF</a><br /><br />Who doesn't like bubbles? This project for 3D Techniques class was a study in mechanics and kinetic sculpture. Made mostly from wood, with a few styrene and aluminum parts, this sculpture went through a lot of design alteration to try to make it functional. Have a look at the PDF to see how it works.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-8918974137859027732007-12-15T19:30:00.000-05:002007-12-15T20:09:00.543-05:00Three Applications of Flexible 2x4s<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R2RzzGuIAxI/AAAAAAAAACk/FZhHTY5cLQE/s1600-h/Sine+Lounge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R2RzzGuIAxI/AAAAAAAAACk/FZhHTY5cLQE/s400/Sine+Lounge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144363996178547474" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=288825&da=y">Download the Full 2x4 Presentation 3 PDF</a><br /><br />Cool stuff this week! The grueling material studies were successful in providing good materials and processes to make three products. The Sine Lounge (seen above) starts as a chaise lounge and rolls up into a compact package. As if that wasn't enough, there's also Two by Floor, a flexible flooring system, and Flex Bench. <br /><br />Thanks to Thanksgiving, we had an extra few days to make all the stuff for this presentation. I still think that ten days is not very much time to make two pieces of furniture and a flooring system plus a presentation, but its all done now and I think I came out with three decent models.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-53634112187069178382007-12-15T18:52:00.000-05:002007-12-16T12:28:30.011-05:00Material Exploration (2x4s)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R2Rst2uIAvI/AAAAAAAAACU/fv41V6j7pHU/s1600-h/Linked+Mat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/R2Rst2uIAvI/AAAAAAAAACU/fv41V6j7pHU/s400/Linked+Mat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144356209402839794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=288824&da=y">Download the full 2x4 Presentation 2 PDF</a><br /><br />Nine material study models were made this week from three categories: Bent, Flexible composites, and Woven. Lots of fun stuff... assuming you like pine lumber. This weeks presentation is a bit light on text, so if you have any questions please leave a comment.<br /><br />Something that seems apparent, but is sometimes forgotten while getting caught up making so many models in a week: Do strength testing <span style="font-weight: bold;">after </span>taking photos. See if you can spot the broken stuff (the linked mat is not broken).<br /><br />Rama, the I.D. department chair, spoke to students briefly about protecting our work: so new to the Design Journal this week is watermarking. From now on in all the oh so informational PDFs that you have been downloading will be stamped with the oh so annoying watermark "Jesse Gerard / jhgdesign.blogspot.com." What this will do to prevent would be pilferers remains to be seen. But until I can come up with something better, learn to love the watermark.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-45616056926445237102007-12-14T14:25:00.001-05:002008-04-07T13:27:26.863-04:00Don't Throw Play Doh (it gets mad)<object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ch4prTQ_xLg"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ch4prTQ_xLg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br />This is a short film I made last year, I composed the music too. I hope you like it!<br /><br />This epic adventure begins with the blue ball flying playfully through the air. The story takes a turn for the dramatic when Blue's fun is interrupted by the careless Yellow. Enraged by Yellow's antics, in a brash move of aggression Blue consumes him. Alarmed by these happenings, the great powers that be amalgamates the two into Green. Green quickly recovers from the smooshing only to return to it's old habits.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-24759233320935596282007-11-07T23:26:00.000-05:002007-12-08T11:56:09.332-05:002x4s - 10 Explorations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rze5tcE41iI/AAAAAAAAACM/fD6RLC_BiGI/s1600-h/Natural+Vase.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rze5tcE41iI/AAAAAAAAACM/fD6RLC_BiGI/s400/Natural+Vase.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131774490693916194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=233764&da=y">Click Here to Download the full 2x4 Presentation 1 pdf</a><br /><br />The latest project studio assignment is a materials exploration project. The choice of materials is between industrial cardboard tubes, and 2x4s. Choosing to use 2x4s, I did some experimentation and simple models that illustrate what I think are some of the defining properties of a 2x4: such as tall... or wood.... I find it really hard to take these assignments seriously when I'm not actually given an assignment. This was another one of those brainstorming assignment where instructor just says "Okay, go ahead class. Make 10 of anything as long as it's not a useful product." The good news is that I received positive feedback on my goofy presentation, and next week I get to narrow it from ten, down to three different ways to wreck a 2x4.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-15416622449978742772007-10-30T16:40:00.001-04:002008-04-07T13:27:49.263-04:00Instant Village Final Presentation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RyeXf9s7lJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/QxqXnLLcJyY/s1600-h/IMG_7082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RyeXf9s7lJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/QxqXnLLcJyY/s400/IMG_7082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127233276179354770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=227045&da=y">Click here to Download the full Instant Village Final Presentation pdf</a><br /><br />Cool Shelter Huh? It was a lot of hard work to put together something functional of this scale. As the first studio project of the year, Instant Village was a great survey of what it's like to take a product all the way from nothing to a finished functional prototype. Have a look at the pdf to get a look at the project start to finish.<br /><br />Due to some supply problems, the tent looks like it was sponsored by McDonald's, but don't let that detract from the experience.<br /><br />To see the team scramble to put it up while I take photos and boss them around, click on the video below (there is no sound: do not adjust your computer). Actual setup time was under 3 minutes.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LCh0MAVV3p0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LCh0MAVV3p0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-11830651247009656662007-10-21T15:27:00.000-04:002007-10-30T17:11:17.277-04:00Three View and Exploded View exercise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxupf2VhZwI/AAAAAAAAABk/-kxX5ln_g_k/s1600-h/Exploded+View.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxupf2VhZwI/AAAAAAAAABk/-kxX5ln_g_k/s400/Exploded+View.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123875365690894082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RxupuWVhZxI/AAAAAAAAABs/6Rhx4kSEPvA/s1600-h/Three+View.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RxupuWVhZxI/AAAAAAAAABs/6Rhx4kSEPvA/s400/Three+View.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123875614798997266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Ryedu9s7lLI/AAAAAAAAACE/AK_G7EacRsk/s1600-h/Exploded+Rendered.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Ryedu9s7lLI/AAAAAAAAACE/AK_G7EacRsk/s200/Exploded+Rendered.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127240130947159218" border="0" /></a>Hey, I learned how to draw! School really works. I did these on the train coming back from the Solar Decathlon in D.C. I think they're pretty neat.<br /><br />Tony is finally letting me use a computer for 2D work. Here's the cooler version of the exploded airbrush (click to enlarge):Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-38080822492071774922007-10-21T12:45:00.000-04:002007-11-06T13:16:37.864-05:00Hacked Design - Charrette<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RxuDOGVhZvI/AAAAAAAAABc/dLRct4F2pvw/s1600-h/Hacked_Page_01.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/RxuDOGVhZvI/AAAAAAAAABc/dLRct4F2pvw/s400/Hacked_Page_01.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123833279306360562" border="0" /></a> Check Out the<a href="http://hackeddesign.blogspot.com/"> Hacked Deign Website</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=208143&da=y">Click here to download the full Hacked Design pdf</a><br /><br />Every year the ID department at UArts has a charrette: a three day event where all the ID students are split into groups and design around a given topic. My group had two seniors, Brian Kelly and Eric Welch, one junior, and two other sophomores. Our topic was hacked design/ Design optimization.<br /><br />Working from 9am through 4 in the morning for three days with a group of people I had never met before was a challenge. But don't think I've ever learned more about design in as short a period before. The seniors taught me a lot about design process and how to work under so short a deadline. The three "Do-it-yourself" products that we came up with (shown above) are very cool; the pdf has all the details. As a team we're in the process of patenting and marketing our ideas. Hopefully you will be seeing some of them soon.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-50749357673401122822007-10-21T12:22:00.001-04:002007-11-11T21:46:10.160-05:00Instant Village Presentation 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt9nGVhZuI/AAAAAAAAABU/64QyvXVDVo0/s1600-h/Tent+Rendering1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt9nGVhZuI/AAAAAAAAABU/64QyvXVDVo0/s400/Tent+Rendering1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123827111733323490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=208141&da=y">Click Here to download the full Instant Village Presentation 2 pdf</a><br /><br />This week as a team, we made a lot of progress in our design and presentation. We narrowed it down to one design (shown above), and added a number of features to last weeks design to make it collapse more... since that really is the only criterion. <br /><br />The presentation is much more uniform than before, with a nice clean look. My contributions this week include drawing all the diagrams and sketches, drafting all the 3D models, taking all the photos, and the layout for several pages.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-73752919667954787372007-10-20T21:16:00.000-04:002007-10-21T12:22:25.478-04:00First Color Asignment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt8OWVhZtI/AAAAAAAAABM/7-cAJoQfZgo/s1600-h/Men+Standing.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt8OWVhZtI/AAAAAAAAABM/7-cAJoQfZgo/s400/Men+Standing.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123825587019933394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=207645&da=y">Click Here to download the full First Color Assignment pdf</a><br /><br />I haven't tried to draw with markers since I was a young, but this assignment for 2D was all about it. Turns out it's fun. Tony is all about about big fat outlines and clarity, to communicate the ideas in our sketches. Unfortunately there really aren't any ideas in these sketches, just drawing practice.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5613224335140779314.post-72981995819979988402007-10-20T20:36:00.000-04:002007-12-08T12:05:04.476-05:00Instant Village Presentation 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt76WVhZsI/AAAAAAAAABE/MQs1sS2vNQ8/s1600-h/Instant+Village+Week+1+Presentation_Page_11.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pl4meG6WIAo/Rxt76WVhZsI/AAAAAAAAABE/MQs1sS2vNQ8/s400/Instant+Village+Week+1+Presentation_Page_11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123825243422549698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=207617&da=y">Click Here to download the full Instant Village Week 1 Presentation pdf</a><br /><br />The end product of the Instant Village project will be a physical shelter that will actually be built and used. This has become a team project, and class has been divided into groups of four. Each group has been assigned a topic that the professors chose from all the thumbnails we've been doing. My team's topic is "Expand and Collapse." Other groups received topics like "Rescue," and "Found Objects." We've started coming up with ideas for a shelter that is expandable and collapsible, and putting together a presentation. In addition to being involved in the design process, my contributions to the presentation include taking all the photos, building the model shown above, and making the materials page. If you want to see the names of all the team members and the rest of the presentation, download the pdf.<br /><br />The presentation was very well received in projects studio class by the professors and students. The next day in 2-dimensional design techniques class the instructor, Tony Guido, reviewed our presentation not for content but for presentation design. I've never taken a beating in a critique like that. Tony's relentless examination of our presentation had me visibly sweating in my seat. The main problem was that each group member did their own couple of pages, and they were all slapped together a few minutes before we presented. Fortunately the after result of the critique was that I dusted myself off with a new resolve to do much bettter next week.Jesse H. Gerardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951241241903576085noreply@blogger.com0