Picasa Web Albums - Mike - Exercise 2 - ...

Hi all,

Your work from Monday is now online.
You can see the project photos here: Picasa Web Albums - Mike - Exercise 2 - ...

Tell your friends!
Prove your worth to your parents!
Impress your lovers...

In short -
Have a ball!

Mike

Core77 / design magazine + resource / home

Here are a couple of links to leading online industrial design magazines/portals

DesignBoom / industrial design today
Core77 / design magazine + resource / home

Enjoy...

: )

Thanks goes out to the good people at Oleh online marketing who sponsor the time for I spend on these messages...

Orit Aloush is opening a photography exhibition - you should start going to these things...

Orit Aloush is opening a photography exhibition on Thursday the 1.11.07 at 20:00 at the METRO in Caesaria.
details here:
http://cafe.themarker.com/view.php?t=187483

I wish her the best of luck!
Mike

Shir and I talk....

Dear Mike & Addi,

I'm having trouble understanding our third exercise. I understood the limitations of the exercise (the number of lines, shapes, etc.) but I'm not sure what it is you want us to do. Do you want a literal description of the partition of the waters?

I hope you'll be able to answer me soon

Thanks,
Shir

and the response:

אהלן שיר,

התרגיל הזה הוא בהחלט התמודדות ראשונה עבורכם ב"חשיבה מושגית"
ההתמודדות שלך היא למצוא את הפרשנות שלך למעמד חלוקת המים.

אני לא יכול להגדיר עבורך את העולם המושגי, האינטלקטואלי, הרגשי והאסוציאטיבי שלך.
המקסימום שאני יכול לעשות זה יחד איתך ללבן ולשקף לך כיצד העולם שלך נראה ומרגיש למתבונן מהחוץ.
במידה ואתה סובל מבלוק יצירתי בהחלט כדאי לך להתייעץ עם חברים, משפחה, וכד' ולנסות לשאוב מהם רעיונות.

אין לי שום ספק ביכולת שלך לספק את הסחורה.

מייק
: )

Infinite OZ | Tin Man | SCIFI.COM

A very nice online experience

Infinite OZ | Tin Man | SCIFI.COM

The Empire That Was Russia: The Prokudin-Gorskii Photographic Record Recreated (A Library of Congress Exhibition)

A friend introduced me to the works of Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii, photogrpaher to the last Tsar of Russia. Thanks to Sergei's unique method of exposing three filtered negatives images (creating RGB color composition) it was possible to reconstruct his images into full color photographs that are about 100 (!!!) years old. This is the oldest case I am aware of that such a reconstitution of three negatives into color images was successfully accomplished.

Looking into the eyes of people that walked the earth 100 years ago is incredible, and the fact that Sergei was a great photographer (apropos our discussions of composition...) makes the entire experience a truly magical one.

Enjoy!!!

PS.
The kids in the photo are Jewish children from Samarkand photographed in 1911.

The Empire That Was Russia: The Prokudin-Gorskii Photographic Record Recreated (A Library of Congress Exhibition)

Exercise 2 – Format and Line Continued -אור וחושך

Some legends tell us that God created the world twice because he was dissatisfied with the results he got the first time.

John Chamberlain – The American sculptor is quoted as saying that:
“Art is basically made by dissatisfied people who are willing to find some means to relieve the dissatisfaction.”

Are you satisfied?...


Equipment
One sheet of Bristol paper 100cm*70cm – white.
One sheet of Bristol paper 100cm*70cm – black.
A black pencil. A brush and black ink. A black pen. A black felt tip.

Requirements Select one of the formats you created for todays lesson.
Recreate your format while taking into account the commentary you received regarding your work. Improve!
Create a negative of your composition on a 1:1 scale.
Create your composition on an A5 format.
Create your composition on a 50*70cm format.

Notes

1. Have you improved your work?
2. What effect does the negative composition have?
3. What effects do the manipulations of your composition’s scale create?
4. Create a number of sketches for the line, test a number of options before making your decisions – display these trials as part of your presentation.
5. Hang your compositions and sketches on the wall in class before the start of next lesson in a tidy and organized fashion.
   

Good Luck!!!

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Sometimes somethings are just so funny and/or bizarre that I can't avoid spreading the good word. Achmed the Dead Terrorist is just one of those things...

Amir's new Blog - What about the rest of you?...

From: אמיר בן אהרן
To: Mike
Subject: RE: אמיר בן אהרן, בלוגספירה-הבלוג החדש שלי

היי מייק

לפי בקשתך

amirdesignerprojectsplus.blogspot.com

נתראה ביום שני,

אמיר

And my reply:

Hi Amir,

Very nice!

You may want to check your spelling...
Why not upload your work so far so people get an impression of what it is you are actually designing.

Kind Regards,
Mike
: - )

Exercise 1 - Format and Line

בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ וְהָאָרֶץ, הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ, וְחֹשֶׁךְ, עַל-פְּנֵי תְהוֹם; וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, מְרַחֶפֶת עַל-פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי-אוֹר וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאוֹר, כִּי-טוֹב; וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים, בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם, וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה; וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם אֶחָד.
God’s first actions in creation are the definition of the format for his creation (בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ ) and the creation of a dividing line between the light and the dark (וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים, בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ).

The purpose of your first exercise is to familiarize you with the relation between your composition and the format you are working with and to instruct you regarding the power of the line.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Equipment
One sheet of Bristol paper 100cm*70cm – white.
One sheet of Bristol paper 100cm*70cm – black.
A black pencil. A brush and black ink. A black pen. A black felt tip.

Requirements

1. Divide your white bristol into at least 3 different formats – create the sky and the ground for your compositions.
2. Using the black Bristol, and or any of the other means, create a division of the format using a single continuous line. Use a single technique on each format!
3. Create at least one division that is Static (earth/ground).
4. Create at least one division that is Dynamic (Water).
5. Create at least one division that is Good.
   

Notes

• What Is the underlying idea behind your work – what have you created? Is it good? Are you happy with it?
• Notice the relationship between your line and the format.
  
• The creation of a line also defines the space surrounding the line.
  
• Create a number of sketches for the line, test a number of options before making your decisions – display these trials as part of your presentation.
  
• Examine your creation from various distances – what effect does it achieve at different viewpoints?
• Hang your compositions and sketches on the wall in class before the start of next lesson in a tidy and organized fashion.
  

Have a fruitful and fun semester!!!

Foundations of Design 07-08, Semester 1, Syllabus

Course Hours
Monday 9:00-13:00, Thursday 14:00-18:00 for a total of 8 weekly credit hours

Course Instructors
Mike Darnell
Email: Mike@oleh.com | Phone: 052-6365013

Adi Cohen Ziv
Email: addco@netvision.net.il | Phone: 052-4707828

Course Concept – The Creation of the World

בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ וְהָאָרֶץ, הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ, וְחֹשֶׁךְ, עַל-פְּנֵי תְהוֹם;
וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, מְרַחֶפֶת עַל-פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם

This semester of our Foundations of Design course will revolve around the theme of Genesis, chapter 1 – the Creation of the World. Over the course of next coming months we shall embark on a journey that will examine the story of the creation of the world and draw parallels between Gods creativity and our own.

Together we shall see how God, in his infinite wisdom, defined the format for his creation, built its composition from the basic firmaments, populated it with shapes, shells, forms, and bodies, enriched it with colors, patterns and textures, and organized all his creations in space so as to form the epitome of perfection we know as the Garden of Eden.

The journey we are taking is not a simple one. Many have tried to find the Garden of Eden and failed. Of the select few that have succeeded in reaching its fantastic gates fewer still have succeeded in gaining access past the guardians placed to guard the entrance ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from that first haven of innocence.

But…

Have no fear. You will not be alone on this journey, and you will be well provided for with all the means necessary to make your trip a success.

“Who will be my companions on this difficult journey?” you ask.

“Look around you!” we say. Your classmates, your friends, your family, your lovers, your teachers, and ultimately you yourselves will be all the guides you ever need. They will provide you with the support, the counsel and the advice you need to find your Eden. All that is required of you is that you actively seek their help, honestly and often, and even if you don’t always agree with their opinions, have the patience and decency to hear them out. You are also required to give them counsel of your own. Give it freely, honestly & lovingly – remember that you are leading the blind into Eden…

“What provisions should we take with us?” you ask/

“Take nothing!” we say. The lighter the load the faster the journey. The only things you really need for your trip are:

• A sharp eye
• An open ear
• A curious mind
• A good heart

All the rest shall be provided for. It’s fate…

So….

Fill your lungs, stretch your limbs and put one foot before the other because the open road awaits you and you still have a long way to go until you reach Eden. At times you will face hardship and pain, and sometimes you may even cry but trust us when we tell you that for every tear of sorrow you shed you will shed to of joy.

Course Goals

1. Students will learn the foundations of the visual language of Design.
2. Students will learn and experience first-hand the following fundamental principals of Design: 2D and 3D Composition, Color, Texture, Pattern, Object, Space, Abstraction.
3. Students will experience first-hand the Design process as a creative and intellectual effort based on cultural and associative factors related to Place, and Time – Zeitgeist.
4. Students will learn Designers' work processes and practices and begin to develop and interpret them to suit their personal style.
5. Students will be introduced to artists and designers from Israel and the world.

Course Content
Presentations of 2D and 3D objects leading to discussions regarding expression, emotion, feeling, association, cultural icons, and the relationships between all the points above.

Course Instructional Methods
The course is composed studio lessons, presentations, lectures and field trips

• Studio lessons - Involve personal instruction given to students regarding the topical exercise currently being discussed in the class. Instruction will be given on a one-on-one basis or small groups while the class is engaged in work on the task at hand.
  
  
• Presentations - Involve constructive class discussions of the merits and weak points of assignments completed during studio lessons or at home.
  
  
• Lectures - Two types of lectures will be given during the course: Instructors' lectures will usually be given as an introduction to a new fundamental principle of design. Students lectures will be given at the beginning of most classes and will introduce an Israeli or international artist or designer.
  
  
• Field Trips - a field trip is planned for the semester.

Course Policies

• Blog – You are all required to run a Blog at http://www.blogger.com/ or on any other platform of your choice in English/Hebrew as well as in your native language (if you wish) discussing your experiences in class and displaying your projects and sketches. This Blog is a vital requirement for the course as it will allow you to communicate with us, yourselves and your friends and family.
  
  
• Attendance – Attendance is required at all lessons as each one of you is responsible not only for your own development but also for the development of your classmates. If you wish to miss out on a class for whatever reason you are required to notify us by phone/mail at the earliest possible time. Students missing out on a lesson without permission will have a demerit counted against themselves for grading purposes.
  
  
• Lateness – Students arriving over five minutes late to the lesson will not be allowed to enter the class until the next break. Students accumulating three instances of lateness will have a demerit counted against themselves for grading purposes.
  
  
• Participation – You are strongly encouraged to participate in class debates and voice your opinions. We will not judge you based on your opinions no matter how extreme they may seem to you. Good designers should have an opinion.
  
  
• Missed Presentations/Assignments – If you feel that you will not be able to complete an assignment on time you are required to notify us by phone/mail at the earliest possible time. Students missing out on an assignment without notifying us in advance will have a demerit counted against themselves for grading purposes.
  
  
• Grading – Grades will be given at the end of semester and will be based on your performance and participation during the semester and on the presentation of your projects as you choose to display them at the end of the semester “Panel”.
  
  
• The Panel is an event held at the end of the semester in which you will be required to display all of the work you have done during the semester in a well designed personal display backed up by a CD containing pictures of all your work and your Blog as well.

Facilities at your disposal
HIT has a number of facilities that you will find extremely useful in completing your course assignments and projects. We strongly suggest that you familiarize yourselves with these facilities ASAP.
● Library
● Workshops
● Computer Labs
● Garden and Lawn (great for sitting thinking and sketching)

Equipment
Follows a list of equipment you may find useful in the course. DO NOT BUY ANY EQUIPMENT UNTIL YOU ARE SURE YOU NEED IT

● Pencils
● Pens
● Brushes
● Paints
● Metal ruler
● Japanese knife (Box Cutter)
● Cutting surface
● Scissors
● Glues

We wish you a fruitful and fun semester!!!
Mike and Adi

Thoughts about the web and viral progression

This blog post from Avi Lowell of Oleh Technologies gives interesting insight as to how and why certain content gets virally spread over the Internet and what the effects may be.

Our “Rosh Hashana” video virals past 50,000 :-) « Olehcreative’s Weblog

TIME magazine's list of The World's 50 Worst Cars Ever

Here you have it:
A list compiled by the world's foremost magazine of 50 of the worst automobiles ever manufactured by man:

Complete List - The 50 Worst Cars of All Time - TIME

Hope you enjoy,
Mike