Learning Agreement / Final Proposal
THE NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
Learning Agreement & Final Proposal
for the Master of Arts Degree in Graphic Design
by Registered Project to be studied part time
Name: Marcus Cosker
Signed by Student:
Date: 28th January 2010.
The Supervisor has read the Proposal and confirms that it should be
considered by the Registration Board as academically valid and viable.
Signed by Supervisor:
Date:
Brief Description
Title of study
An investigation of virtual architectonic representation.
Area of study
The study is within the area of Architectural Visualisation. The study will consist of a range of static images.
Brief description of proposed study
The study will be centred on the exploration of the availability and use of our external space in domestic settings. This investigation will be for the purpose of exploring the representation of the use of this space and notions of habitation in the field of Architectural Visualisation.
Aims & objectives.
Aims.
1. To visually investigate a range of examples of the use of space in places where key examples of differences in habitation exist.
2. To find out how I can create a sense of presence and believability in my visualisation work.
3. To survey and critically evaluate the work of others in the fields of architectural visualisation and actualisation in order to provide visual standards to work to.
4. To explore ways that the use of space both visually and technically can be manifested in visualisations to enhance believability.
5. For my work to reflect current practice and techniques in architectural visualisation.
Objectives.
1. I will investigate the differences in aesthetics, visual structure and social memes within varying forms of metropolis.
2. I will survey the characteristics of and methods of creating believability and presence and use a range of these factors to enhance my work.
3. I will investigate the standard of work that is expected professionally in the visualisation field and critically evaluate my work by juxtaposing my work with the professional work.
4. I will apply a range of methods of manifesting believability in my visualisation work.
5. I will create a set of projects that over the period of this study will provide the opportunity to investigate the current practice and techniques used in the creation of architecture through virtual three dimensional visualisation. In these projects I will produce work that straddles the line between real and virtual. This will be achieved through the use of software commonly used for this purpose.
Rationale.
I have wanted to extend my design skills into computer based three-dimensional work for several years. In my current employment as a teacher in Further Education this area has become increasingly important as the scope of Multimedia widens to include 3D based design. This study will develop and further contextualise my skills and therefore extend my scope as a practitioner and teacher.
I am want to find out what it is that makes a computer generated scene seem believable to the viewer. I want to find out what it takes to make a model of a building look realistic enough for the viewer to be comfortable enough with the image to accept it as a picture of a place rather than a computer generated image. The fuzzing of this boundary is central to this study. I want to be able to create imagery that makes the viewer ask “where is that?” rather than “did you make that?” the former being an indicator that the image has been believed.
This project will give me the opportunity to study a selection of architecture that is of personal interest to me because of its significant difference in shape, size, condition, capacity and the varied range of general living standards of the occupants. The project will also give me the opportunity to find out how I can effectively represent the occupation and use of space in architectural visualisation work. I will also define the characteristics of space itself in an architectonic context as a way of uniting the presence of the building with the surrounding space that it inhabits.
Content of programme.
In this study I will show through my printed visualisation work the effect that we have on the spaces that we inhabit and the way that we restlessly rub against the original designs of our spaces of habitation; improving and modifying the uses of buildings as time passes resulting in change in aesthetics and in many cases structure as we adapt spaces to suit our lifestyles. I will use this study to show an epitome of this mutability through researching the visual nature of commorancy, the perceptible indicators of occupation, the manifestation of this abrasion through friction with us and the elements.
I will use this study to explore how 3D visualisation software can be used to illustrate a range of types of habitation – but more importantly the condition and occupation of those spaces. Typical architectural visualisation is so clean that it radiates perfection from the image. So clean is this image that it is recognisable as a computer generated image rather than a photograph of a new building. In reality after a time this state of perfection wears and the building takes on a progressively worn appearance.
These are the changes in appearance that I think develop a stronger sense of believability in the viewers mind as they inspect computer generated visualisations.
I am interested in the condition of the wide range of buildings and living conditions that people around the world experience. There are several distinct examples that I will explore as a supporting vehicle to my research.
I will examine the signals of habitation created through the use of space and the way that visualisation software can work with these signs to create representations of space that are emotive and believable for its viewers. Within the study the architectonic representation of longevity, population density, wealth and poverty will also be explored.
Three dimensional visualisation software allows us to intentionally place ourselves mentally within a space that does not yet exist physically. I will explore this characteristic in my research and apply appropriate techniques in my visualisations demonstrating this notion of interaction.
Learning Outcomes.
- A broad and deep understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of three dimensional modelling and visualisation; through study and reflection of the work of others and the development of extended 3D visualisation and modelling skills.
- An articulate and informed engagement with 3D visualisation, aesthetic, cultural, industrial, scholarly and technical issues through research.
- A postgraduate level of expertise and knowledge in the field of 3D visualisation.
- To demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation as applied to an extended body of 3D visualisation work.
The Methodological Framework.
My research will employ creative practice, Action Research (Newman.J., 2009 cited Schon.D., 1978) and feedback. Within the context of the creation of printed material, there will be reflection on own practice and the unsolicited feedback received from peers. Formal feedback will be from online exhibition in which constructive feedback will be sought through one to one interviews and focus groups.
Methods:
- I will frame my research by surveying the visual signals of believability in architectural visualisation.
- I have chosen to create a series of projects that will allow me to experiment with the signals I find whilst developing my creative practice.
- I have chosen to employ Action Research as a way to reflect on progress and to check that I don’t stray too far off the chosen path.
- I will use the feedback I receive to judge the effectiveness of the signals of believability displayed in my work. I will also use this feedback to judge the quality of my depiction of them.
Resource Implications.
Access to the campus Libraries.
Supervision needed.
First Supervisor: Andy Love.
Other resourcing within or outside the University.
A PC for modelling and rendering.
3D Max.
VRay / Mental Ray for 3D Max.
Other organisations or individuals involved.
None.
Bibliography
Books.
Irving. M, 2007, 1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die: A Remarkable Tour of the World’s Most Exceptional Architectural Feats (1001 Must See Before You Die), Cassell Illustrated
Cruz. T & Boddington. A, 1999, Architecture of the Borderlands (Architectural Design), John Wiley & Sons
3DTotal, 2007, Digital Art Masters Vol:2, Focal Press, USA
Boardman. T, 3ds Max 4 Fundamentals, New Riders, 2001
Demers. O, Digital Texturing & Painting, New Riders, 2002
Brooker. D, Essential CG Lighting Techniques with 3ds Max, Focal Press, 2008
Cragoe. C, 2008, How to read buildings: a crash course in architecture, Herbert Press
Bousquet. M, Model Rig Animate with 3ds Max 7, New Riders, 2005
Bachelard. G, 1992, The Poetics Of Space, Beacon Press
Sim. S & Van Loon. B, 2001, Introducing Critical Theory – A Graphic Guide, Icon Books, 2009
Summers. D, Texturing: Concepts & Techniques, Charles River Media Graphics Series, 2004
Mendes Da Rocha. P, 2007, Works and Projects: works and projects, Verlag Niggli
Web-sites.
October 26th 2008, Architecture Week Great Buildings, www.greatbuildings.com
October 25th 2008, Michael Wolf Photography, www.photomichaelwolf.com
October 25th 2008, Current Reviews International Architecture,
www.world-architects.com
October 25th 2008, Angelo Bucci SPBR, www.spbr.arq.br
October 25th 2008, PushPullBar Architecture + Design Forum, www.pushpullbar.com
October 19th 2008, Tutorialized,
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/3DS-MAX/1
October 19th 2008, Free 3d Studio Max tutorials, http://www.3dstudiomaxtutorials.com/
October 19th 2008, 3D Total, www.3dtotal.com/ffa/tutorials/tutorialsmax.asp
October 19th 2008, 3ds Max Tutorials, www.3dsmaxtutorials.net
October 19th 2008, Turbo Squid, www.turbosquid.com
Newman.J., 2009, Educating as Inquiry – a Teacher Action Research Site, Reflective practitioner, Paper #8, Action Evaluation and Action Theory: An assessment of the process and its connection to conflict resolution. [Online] Available at: http://www.lupinworks.com/ar/Schon/Paper6.html [Accessed January 28th 2010]
Software.
3D Studio Max
Mental Ray / Vray Renderer
Adobe Photoshop
Timetable
End of January 2009
Project 1: Architectural representation of population density and poverty.
Presentation and critical and reflective review documentation. (1000 words)
End of May 2009
Project 2: Architectural representation of affluence through 3D modelling and visualisation.
Presentation and critical and reflective review documentation. (1000 words)
End of October 2009
Project 3: Visualisation of Bachelards theories of space and how Bachelards theories of space relate to my own architectural 3D visualisation work.
Presentation and critical and reflective review documentation. (1000 words)
End of April 2010
Project 4: Local spaces
Presentation and critical and reflective review documentation. (1000 words)
End of June 2010
Preparation for end of year MA presentation and final assessment. To be discussed and finalised with First Supervisor.
