Q: What are my individual strengths as a designer?

A: I feel like i am overall pretty well rounded, but need more work modeling. I feel like i have strong sketching, but with more practice could be stronger. But most importantly i feel like i am not afraid to try something new. I am always game to learn new methods, see new tutorials or find new sources of inspiration. (It's nice to finally have some presented to us in class.) Lastly, i think that layouts and putting together boards are a strong suit. None the less, i still feel like i have a long way to go.

STORYBOARDIN'

Here is my direction for my storyboards for my dentist chair project. This is just presenting the style, i will have to go back to an office with a model for more in-depth pics for the end of my project.

Good Design. Whew. This is heavy. Is it heavy? Or is this question so subjective that i can't seem to wrap my head around it? No clue. What is good design to me? Good design is my bodum coffee maker, it's my dad's macbook, my mom's rolling pin. They are things that work better than intended, look good or in some cases stand the test of time. To me, materialism is a nasty nasty word when applied to product design. To me,there is nothing wrong with bringing objects into your everyday life, and letting them seamlessly integrate into our families and rituals, or if not seamlessly, becoming objects or treasures that we love or are proud to posess.

Pantone Flash Drives

Adrian Tomine and Pops

Back in high school, my parents used to subscribe to The New Yorker. One day, we got a new issue in the mail, and the cover just spoke to me. It was this bright, clean illustration of two subway cars passing each other, inside the two separate cars were two young people reading the same book, looking up from it, realizing the other person on the other train was holding the same novel. There was so much story in that one illustration, i was hooked, Adrian Tomine could capture my thoughts and feelings with simple lines and colors. I still go back to his graphic novels and illustrations, for ideas on how to convey my own thoughts in a poignant, simple way.

http://www.adrian-tomine.com/

Okay, so another illustrator i love is my dad. I always have, and not just because of the fact he's the best dad in world, but also because i think he understands perspective and knows how to add a fun twist to any story he's given. Here is the link to his blog. (He also teaches an online course at the Art Academy of San Francisco on perspective and view in illustration.)

http://sandfordarchive.blogspot.com/

Pantone Flash Drives- Illustrator Renderings

TORD BOONTJE - TORDALICIOUS

Ahh Tord Boontje. Unfortunate-sounding name, but very cool, inspired designer.  He dabbles in lace, digital media and laser cut materials, but somehow is work always screams his personality.  It's whimsical, light and fun.  I have always been a fan, but as i have grown in design i have also realized i still like him because his designs are so refreshing to look at, especially when some of our projects at school can become so serious.

ELEANOREO PORTFOLIO

Here is my portfolio!

http://www.uc.edu/propractice/ind_design/sandford_Eleanor_11.pdf

Dental Technologies. Dentalriffic.

I have learned about some new technologies as well as practices in dentist offices. Here are three i think i am going to incorporate into my project.

1. Digital X-Ray Imaging- Not only will it reduce the exposure to radiation, the x-rays will be preformed with the aid of a computer which will also store and record the x-rays.

2. Virtual Headsets - Many dentist offices now provide virtual headsets for patients to watch movies/ tv on during long procedures.

3. Suction vs. Sink - Due to recent studies, all newer dentist offices will now use suction over sinks for their patients, as they are cleaner and more hygienically sound.

Rad Movie Trailer, yo

Ah. I saw this trailer this summer. Maybe it's my love for Napoleon Dynamite or Flight of the Concords, but i am extremely excited to see this ridiculously stupid-looking movie. Why do i think it acts as good communication? I think that the guy who does these movies captures a little corner of society and corniness so perfectly. Not everyone looks like a movie star, there is something so wonderfully unpolished and real about everyone. I love the scene where the main character sits down in the auditorium and the goofy-looking kid next to him gives him this painful glare. It's great. It's all about the details, right?

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/gentlemenbroncos/

 Hmm. Communicating a strong message in a brand. Well, you have brands like Nike which with a single swoopy line can conjure up thousands of different thoughts or opinions, ranging from Michael Jordan or sweatshops in China. I think in  larger brand like that, they become so big that sometimes they must pull away and realize what their mission was in the first place, away from all the hype and glitter. So i chose a brand which is newer, less attached to messy stigmas (also, i hope it is never associated with the word messy, as it deals with cleaning products...), anyways i chose Method. I feel that their clear concept of sustainable, earth friendly cleaning and household products is conveyed beautifully through simple, smart packaging and solutions that are easy enough for any Target consumer to use. I think i can use this as inspiration to my own work, keeping in mind my original mission for a project, and keeping it simple and understandable for all.