Design Evaluation

For this assignment, I decided to compare two different types of light fixtures. My friend has been really into designing them lately so I went on a little adventure with her to Lowe's and found a very different looking design in contrast to the nature inspired light fixtures that she's been creating. Light fixtures, whether they're lamps, hanging lights, chandeliers, etc., they're all trying to accomplish the same goal.

I believe the comparison between these two fixtures would be considered a part of design in identity. I say this because one lamp represents a very fake look and the other one conveys a very authentic style. In my opinion, the authentic hanging light is the better looking one because of how well the abstract placement of the lights comes together with the overall realness of this piece. The real one actually came from nature while my friend and I were on a hike in Pine Valley, Utah. That's real design for you.

The lamp made at Lowe's is hideous to me. This may be because I've been lucky enough to see very real and genuinely inspired light fixtures, however, I am definitely still not attracted to the way they went about designing this Lowe's lamp in any way, shape, or form. Immediately when I saw it, I thought - wow the things I would do differently. Sure it looks inspired by nature, but it looks so fake at the same time. If you're going to use wood, make it a little more awesome. The price of this lamp also throws me off guard. When you take the time to actually design something how you want, it usually turns out to be a little bit cheaper. To me, this design is typical of people "wanting nature inspired decor", yet not actually hitting the mark when combining all components. Design should be 110% authentic. I think where they lost it was choosing the lampshade they did. I'm also not in love with the color of the wood they decided to use or whatever they did to royally mess it up.

The really amazing light fixture is the hanging one that looks so completely different. It's unique design along with the urban look was heavily inspired by walks in nature. Simplicity is beautiful. You can see the simplicity in color choice. It was also so simple to make. Not only is it simple, but also a bit diverse when looking at the different light bulbs used.

Overall, the lamp at Lowe's was not great. The hanging light fixture designed by my very good friend is so great. There you have it :)

Contrast, Balance, & Harmony

This picture demonstrates contrast, balance, and harmony. First, you'll notice the contrast in this old, abandoned wood structure. This building was part of a mine that is now desolate. The contrast really helps bring out the texture of the wood. If I could have wood floors in my house, I would want the wood to look just like this. This feeling leads me to balance. When I think of the home I want to make a living in, I imagine wood floors. Wood brings balance into my life because it's so related to nature. It's also very symmetrical, which can be another contributor to balance. The perpendicular lines of the architecture also bring a sense of balance. To me, balance has a lot to do with a straight line. As I imagine balancing things in my life, I can picture some sort of horizontal or vertical line that I'm trying to compare a situation to. I also love things in 3, so the fact that there's 3 vertical beams really makes for a balanced sight to my eyes. Lastly, this picture makes me feel harmonious. I say this because I was in a very beautiful place in Keystone, Colorado watching the sunset on the peak of mountain when this picture was taken. I could go on for days about why this picture brings harmony to my life, especially the color of the wood. I need it in my life. Basically, this picture of me makes me think of all the possible opportunities waiting for me in Colorado. This thought makes me feel very stabilized in life and definitely demonstrates the feeling of harmony. This picture greatly portrays my life as a mountain woman :)

Visceral Response

This picture has quite the story. Just recently, I was able to visit some absolutely stunning mountain towns in the state of COLORado. As we were exploring one day, we came across the abandoned town of Gilman. Apparently, in the 1980's, this town's water supply was contaminated by a nearby mine and everyone was forced to evacuate. They never returned.

I had never visited a town that was so desolate yet so alive at the same time. As I was strolling around, I realized how much potential this town has or did have. We ended up finding a skate park inside one of the houses, an old gas pump that was extremely weathered away, and so many other amazing things that just didn't even seem real. I kept asking myself why nobody had come back to this town to revamp it or why they haven't cleared things out yet. My mind was literally blown. I had never seen anything like this place before.

I'm a writer and when I'm heavily inspired I like to write. I was already so impressed by everything I was seeing in this little abandoned town and then... I happened to come across this typewriter that was just sitting right there, untouched, with an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains right behind it. I fell to my knees when I saw it.

This picture is how beauty feels to me. When I look at pictures, I see more of a story and an experience rather than noticing lines, contrast, shape, and things of that nature. However, now that I'm actually trying to notice how the vocabulary of design plays a huge part in the visual communication process, the lines feel so beautiful to me. I just decided I wanted to understand how the lines are a part of the story. The lines on the typewriter are what steal me away into the allure of the mountains. I picture myself here, alone, doing what I do best; writing. Mountains are a part of me and in this area of COLORado, they are stupefying. The lines on the mountain range are mysterious. This whole place is mysterious. The texture of the green grass and the focus on them is one of my favorite parts about this picture. The texture on the wilted typewriter looks urban and dull, yet so vibrant.

What really took my breath away was the amount of space in this open range of the Rocky Mountains. Nobody around. Nobody to answer to. I couldn't see one person for as far as I could look. It was a place I just wanted to let my thoughts out. Everything.