Photo Analysis

The elements and principles of design work together to create a room that is visually appealing to the eye.  The elements of design include line, space, shape, form, texture, pattern, color and light.  Where as the principles include balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, proportion, unity, variety and harmony.  The photo I chose portrays many examples in each category.

            The first principle shown in this picture is balance.  The large couch is placed against the wall, but is balanced by the two chairs and a table on the opposite side, creating a sense of symmetrical balance.  Proportion is also a key principle in this photo.  The furniture is the correct size for the room and the rug used in the room is the perfect size to fit underneath the furniture.  The emphasis of this room is the tall windows on the back wall.  The chairs are angled towards the middle, which draws the eye straight to the back wall to focus on the hanging picture and the long windows. 

            One of the first elements portrayed in this photo is color.  By keeping the walls, furniture, and flooring neutral, the orange and turquoise accents in the room draw most of the attention.  The majority of lines in the living room are horizontal, which create a sense of calmness and tranquility.  One of the last elements is texture.  When first looking at the photo, it looks like the same smooth textures are applied everywhere.  However, the drapery fabric looks rougher than the smooth fabric on the couches, chairs and rug.  Also, the orange vases and the glass lamp bases are a shiny glass texture. 

            Overall, this room is a very good example of how the principles and elements of design combine to create a beautifully designed room.  I really love the orange and turquoise pop of color that were added so the room did not look so dull.    

Unusual Materials

Typically shipping containers are seen stacked high on a barge, but now they’re being seen in a creative way.  These rectangular metal boxes are the inspiration for a new recycled and sustainable home.  Shipping containers have been turned into homes, offices, dorms, and apartments.

            The containers can be stacked in many different ways with the help of a crane.  They are also very durable, widely available, and have a low-cost.  Due to the standard measurements of the containers, they can easily be connected into larger structures and the boxes interlock for easy transportation.  In addition, the shipping containers are resistant to mold, fire, and termites, which make an ideal home with minimal upkeep.

            There are many buildings made out of shipping containers all around the world.  In 2002, a five-story building named Container City II was constructed and includes an elevator, twenty-two studios, and full disabled access.  In Amsterdam, a student-housing complex inhabits 1,000 students.  Each resident enjoys a balcony, bathroom, kitchen, separate sleeping and studying rooms, and large windows.  This complex has been so successful that the building’s lease has been extended until 2016.  Also, one of the more well-known container houses is the Adam Kalkin Quik House, which has a waitlist of over six months.  This container house offers 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and can be complete with interior details in three months.  There are endless options to choose from for these shipping container buildings.

            Even though living in a shipping container does not sound very appealing, there are countless ways to customize the containers.  They end up looking like amazing pieces of architecture that also happen to be recyclable and can be made extremely eco-friendly.  So next time you’re considering buying a new house or office building, consider all the new and innovative unusual materials being used around the world!

Design Expo 2011

            Every fall semester as Texas Tech University, many vendors come to the Merket Alumni center to attend the Design Expo.  It set up by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).  Before the Design Expo, there is a learning lunch that takes place and a guest speaker gives a presentation during the lunch.  Every year there are different vendors that attend the expo in order to share their products, show off their new lines, and talk to the interior design students. 

            Last year I was not able to go the learning lunch, but this year I had the privilege of being able to attend.  Our speaker this year was Brian Graham, who has had more than twenty-four years of experience in the design field.  He currently designs for Knoll and has a line of furniture for private offices.  One of the topics he discussed related to the importance of sketching and being able to visualize a designer’s train of thought through a process board.  Overall, he was a very funny guy that gave us useful tips for the future of our interior design journey.

            The design expo started later that day, upon entering there was a table set up that gave away a free bag to place all the samples in.  There were lots of booths set up with various products, such as office chairs, tile, wall coverings, paint, and many more.  I stopped at every booth to gather information about each company and what they sold.  Almost all of the booths gave away free samples of their products.  One of my favorite booths was Daltile.  They had a bunch of new tile lines on display, with everything from stone to glass to metal.  My favorite line had a combination of glass tile, which was curved, combined with a metal and a piece of stone.  It caught your eye because it was so shiny and sleek, but then it had the piece of stone in it to tone the rest of it down.

            All in all, Design Expo was a great experience.  It is such a great opportunity to see all the new products and get to know more about each person and their experience.  In the future, these companies could be potential jobs or potential clients.  

Campus Materials Analysis

In interior design, choosing the correct fabric for a space is one of the most important steps.  There are six different types of fabric applications which include seating, window treatments, wall coverings, panel applications, flooring and fiber-based artwork.   Out of all of these, seating is the most common application, so it is important to choose a fabric that is able to withstand daily use by many people. 

            Thousands of students come through the Student Union Building everyday to eat, study, or pass time in between classes.  There is a wide variety of seating throughout the building that includes benches, tables with booths, cushioned chairs, and cushioned stools.  In addition to the variety of seating styles, there are a variety of fabrics on the seats.  Most of the chairs and benches have a polyester blend of fabric with a geometric pattern on them.  The only issue with this fabric is staining.  The area is so commonly used for eating, there are stains on most of these chairs.  However, this fabric is not only comfortable but it is fairly durable.  The chairs are been upholstered in this fabric for several years and there is hardly any noticeable wear on them.  While this is a good choice, there is a better one.

            The other upholstered material on the seating in the Student Union Building is faux leather.  While there is not much of it, there are a few chairs that are upholstered the solid faux-leather.  This material would have been a better option for all of the seating in the building because of its durability and stain resistance.  On the other hand, the faux leather is most likely more expensive than the polyester blended material. 

            Overall, the seating upholstery in the Student Union Building is a good choice for the large amount of use that it takes daily.  The fabric is not only durable, but it has a fairly generic pattern so that it does not go out of style within a couple of years.  The only improvement that could have been made is to choose one uniform fabric throughout the whole building, such as the faux leather.