Grid Study

 

Art 451
Senior Studio

Professor Don Adleta
Seigfred 422
740.593.4284

adleta@ohio.edu

Grid Studies and Experiments

Project Aim:

The purpose of this investigation is to advance the student's knowledge of design. "Inventive power, abstract thinking, and conceptual processing," are expressions used by Hofmann to describe the research involved in these studies. As described in Armin Hofmann, His Work, Quest and Philosophy "The themes are concerned with abstract processes such as joining together, massing, ordering, destroying, rotating, transposing, questioning, etc. without having to seek support from object related facts and circumstances. The basis for these studies is provided by simple geometric elements which appear in changing patterns and various factual contexts."

We will be investigating one aesthetic phenomenon by utilizing the computer as a standard sketching tool and method for visually researching design results.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop a graphic grid system, which allows us to create a series of related, however, uniquely different results.
Visually experiment in order to complete research necessary to evolve a self-motivated breakthrough.
Realize a method of gathering visual information. Evolving a sense of freedom in fresh, innovative results within a controlled environment.
Apply previously acquired information regarding color, typography and visual aesthetics.
Realize the metaphoric quality of the methodology in these exercises as it relates to the design process.

Project Problem:

Create a series of images based on a singular grid system. These designs will be incorporated into an applied context, during classes of week 3.

Philosophy
Restrictions allow us to understand design conditions. The condition of this assignment first presents the visual search and then evolves a context. This is a unique opportunity and is rare within the practice. We have within the educational context the luxury of assigning a context post-processing of the result. This condition allows us to see a harmony between a self-generated image and an appointed context. The quality that usually results is one, which we strive to reach within real world applications. It is my philosophy that if you taste what it is like to achieve this harmonic condition it will provide a goal to achieve it within the practice.

Rigorous and exhaustive sketching is essential in this process. Our priority is on design not technology. The sketching process is open however Illustrator has been a very flexible tool to accomplish the desired outcomes. Although the computer can be a frustrating tool to some, please be patient, understanding the technology enough to realize these design concepts will take time. If you feel arrested using Ilustrator, print out a number of your final grids and paint or tape out the research results during the first weeks.

 

Procedure Week One,
September 13th:

Review the degree of your familiarity with Illustrator. We will run through some of the more useful Illustrator functions. Demos will include:
setting up a snap-to grid on document set-up,
copy and paste (cloning and duplication of move),
clipping masks,
layers,
alignment and creating registration marks.
We will review grid applications in calendars and stamps. This will be followed by setting up files within format specifications and the beginning of the exercise.

Develop 3 unique grid structures within a 6.5" square, utilizing 10 to 16 units in either or both horizontal and vertical directions. Realize that less than 10 units usually transform the visual result into a figure or figures. Also realize that by using more than 16 units the surface becomes a texture. Review this entire assignment to see where we are heading. Later criteria of only taking away may lead you to using thicker lines. In order to get 3, which have merit, create and edit from 20 visual sketches. All 20 must be placed onto a vertical 8.5 x 11" page centered side to side with an equal distance from the top edge as it is from the sides. File Management is critical, name your files with your name/initials and code: Your Name.01.01, Name.02.01, Name.03.01, Name.03.02. . . etc. It is required to have this code on all your printouts. (extra credit for anyone who can figure out how to automatically printout the file name on printouts rather than typing it on each study)

September 15th:

The three grids must be presented at the beginning of class along with the other 17 printouts. Don't expect to print out the hour before the review. The results of the visual experimentation will be jointly analyzed. An overall review of all class work will eliminate students duplicating designs. We will then continue to experiment on the direction narrowed from that class review.

Week Two
September 20th:

The continued visual search will be conducted on the basis of only taking away from the established grid. The concept of taking away regulates the mind to expand upon the limitations of given parameters. Taking away is in a sense; interference to the grid structure, understanding this process causes you to realize the ability to control the variables. Adding to the structure is a concept closer to painting. Creating the most diversity from the least activity is one of the objectives. Utilize your awareness of reverse ground to maximize the phenomenon of the results. Unique effects of a singular concept affecting the grid are the ultimate goals we are striving to achieve within 6 even steps. (note regarding graduate study) 20 unique effects should be presented, plus two potential expansions upon those directions. These will be reviewed in class. Think of taking away type and photo.

Week Three
September 27th:

The final application will be decided during week 3. To know this information any sooner will only burden your investigation by preconceived ideas of stereotypical results. The final appointed application and production would then be determined. (Consider the possibility of printing them lithographically or by silkscreen.) 2 tertiary colors will replace the basic black and white and a third color could be used for type that may be integrated upon assigning the final context. Final color prints will be determined.

Submission:

Final presentation of process will be determined, however, you should keep all progress in a black three ring binder labeled with your name on the spine clearly. Deadline to be announced.

Assessment Criteria:

1/3 Design
1/3 Design processing on the computer and/or traditional methods
1/3 Professional attitude and effective use of in classroom class time
This total assignment assessment for this portion will be 30% of final grade.

© Ohio University, 2004, updated on 7 September 2004, return to top / adleta front door / adleta@ohio.edu