Week 4

Today (16/02/2010) I visited the Natural History Museum to find out what methods they use to exhibit the thousands of artefact's they have on display to the public. I wanted to see if there were any ideas that could help the group when it comes to arranging our own exhibition.

Whilst at the museum I was constantly looking for different ways in which they display both the artefact and information. The museum was split into four zones, each with there own colour. The zones were:

• Orange Zone- Wildlife, Zoology Spirit building


• Blue Zone- Dinosaurs, Mammals, Marine Invertibrates


• Green Zone- Birds, Ecology, Minerals


• Red Zone- Earth Lab, Earth's Treasury

I think the the colour coded zones could be a good idea for our exhibition as it would allow us to seperate our personal work or genre's of work.

As I walked though the different zones I also noticed that different artifacts were displayed in a range of ways. The smaller mammals and birds on display tended to be in solid wood and glass cabinets, giving a very scientific/educational feel. The larger dinosaur skeletons weren't as inclosed, only a small boundry seperated them from the public.

As well as this I realised that artifacts were displayed at various heights, some where even suspended over head. In order to inform the public about the piece the information boards were printed with larger text so that they were visbable from below.
I think for our exhibition we should try to create a relaxed environment where the public feel at ease and are allowed to interact with the display. We could even hang work from the ceiling or higher up the walls to add to the interaction.

The room above was very different from many of the other rooms. It had a very clean, contemporary look, almost like an art gallery. I noticed while in this room everyone seemed to be alot quieter. I think this is due to its gallery like appearance. In the less formal rooms everyone seemed more relaxed.

In certain rooms I found that the lighting was very dim. I understand that this may be to preserve the skeletons and other pieces on display. The light in some rooms made it very hard to take pictures and even view some exhibits. As a group we need to discuss the level of light in order to display our work to its best potential. We would also need to discuss if are going to allow photography.


One problem our group was having was thinking of ways to show videos and animations. Walking though the Blue (Dinosaur) zone I noticed these video screens mounted behind acrylic information boards. The animations being displayed showed how dinosaurs might have walked, while the section of text beneath gave an explanation.

Although it may not be possible to produce displays like this on a budget, we could certainly produce something alongs these lines using standard computer monitors.

The branding of the museum is very simple but effective. The same font and 'N' logo are used thoughout the museum. The logo varies with the letter being filled with different designs. The above logo is filled with an image of a globe.

I think a logo such as this would suit our exhibit as we could each design our own images to fill the shape or letter. This could be used on clothing, entrances and exits, website and advertising etc. The shape of the logo woukd stay the same but we would be allowed to display our own individual creativity though our 'fill' designs.

Ideas for exhibition - Sketches

Week 3

This week we had to select at least three pieces of work which we would like to show at the exhibition.This image was created for my Major Project. At the moment it is un-finished, but the version I would show at the exhibition would be the completed image.

This image was a final render of a model created for a museum brief. I have a series of renders of this model which I could show as a sequence.

I am unsure of which piece of work I want to exhibit as my third piece of work. I have these options below:

Week 2

Curriculum Vitae

Address:
Tel. No:
e-mail:
website:

Name: Jonathan Smith

Skills:

During my time at university I have gained experience in using a number of computer packages. I have had experience using Photoshop, Flash, 3Ds Max and Premiere Video editing suite.
Although I have experience using a range of packages I feel that my best work was produced using 3Ds Max. Over the three years I have spent at university I have created 3D models and animations for a number of applications.

I have a basic understanding of French, which is of a GCSE grade C standard.

I have held a full UK driving license for nearly four years.

Education:

University

I am currently studying a BSc Hons degree in Computer Aided Visualization at Anglia Ruskin University. I have completed a number of modules to date, including:

website design (beginners)
video editing
sound editing
2D animation (Flash)
3D modelling and Animation
3D Character animation

For my Major Project I am undertaking a 3D modelling and animation project. The project involves modelling and animating a walk through of a proposed building design. I have worked from architect’s plans to create an accurate, scale model of the design. Once modelling is finished I will model all of the interior furnishings and produce a range of visuals, including video and still images, ready for client approval.

A-levels

Chelmer Valley High School, June 2007

Art – C
Design and Technology (Graphic Design) – B
ICT- C


Employment

Bennetts Electrical

Warehouse Assistant
October 2008 – January 2009

In this position I was responsible for processing customer orders and assisting customers with their purchases. This role required me to be approachable as well as responsible as I had to deal with expensive items.


Co-operative Society
Co-op Local

Sales Assistant
September 2005 – June 2008

Throughout my time in this position I was required to assist and serve large numbers of customers. As part of my role in the company I also had to help with deliveries, promotion changes and stock rotation.
Part of my duties also included working for long periods of time on checkout, which meant I had to handle large amounts of money. This meant that I needed to be responsible and reliable.

Interests

My main interest is 3D modelling and animation. Since starting university I have become increasingly fascinated by the way in which the 3D medium is used in different industries. I enjoy drawing and developing ideas and characters which I can create using 3D software. At present I like to experiment with ideas for architectural designs, both interior and exterior.

Week 1

Introduction

For this module we are required to work in groups of four to five people. In these groups we will work to develop a theme and an identity for an exhibition which is to be held at the end of the module. The exhibition must have a consistent theme in the way in which all the work must be presented or displayed. Every member of the class will exhibit around three pieces of their work.

There are several groups in the class who will present the idea of their theme. Once all ideas have been presented, one will be chosen as the exhibition theme.

This module also has a PDP element where we will also have to develop our personal CV's and develop buisness cards. This is to help us promote ourselves and our work.

I am looking forward to the challenge of this module as it is quite different to anything else we have attempted as a class. I like the opportunity to work in groups as it is a good simulation of we might have to work and collaborate in a real working environment.


Brainstorm

To start off the thinking process of finding a theme for the exhibition the group decided to brainstorm some of the aspects involved in this project.

Space

-Busy shopping centre.
-Large unit?
-Retail focussed - Shelving, Tills, fixtures and fittings e.t.c
-Is there any existing Signage or advertising for the shop?
-Is the unit on a main walking route through the shopping centre?
-Is the unit near any popular/busy shops?


Who could attend?

-Lecturers/Tutors/Teachers
-Other students
-Family/Friends
-Local businesses - (buisnesses related to module or depatment? - Graphic design, Website design, 3D animation e.t.c)
-General Public (People passing by)


Possible Themes

Our group discussed three initial themes. These are not our final ideas, just starting points to build apon.

-Clean/Modern: This would involve a blank or white space. Work would contrast against the white walls.

-Scrapbook: This would involve making the space look like a working environment. The work could be displayed as 'works in progress'. This would feel more personal as if we were inviting people into an environment.

-Rustic/Damaged/Used: This would work well with the space as we could use the existing fittings that could already be in the unit. Like the the scrapbook idea this could be a working environment.