Day 1 : Indroductions and Finding a location

    First day of class was somewhat overwhelming but also exciting. We began with an introduction to a very important aspect of design: Critiquing and analyzing pieces. Inspiration and the design process was also introduced via mood boards and how to draw inspiration from the most minute, simple objects that others may often oversee but the ability to see the potential of something (however seemingly insignificant it is) as an inspiration is an key skill. Next, we discussed many aspects of a few pieces of art such as lighting, simple shapes that can be identified in a piece, natural and man-made materials, use of complementary colours, organic and geometric shapes and lines, and textures. It was very interesting to see these photographs and discuss why they are "good" rather than just dismissing them as good photos "because they look nice". I really took to heart the concept of opposites today and it provided a new perspective on how I first analyze a piece from a designer's point of view. For instance, the contrast created between geometric and organic shapes, between complementary hues, between man-made materials and natural materials.

Next, we were introduced to our project, which was to work in groups of three people with varied and spread out talents in order to create a magazine that will finally encompass a garment, fashion shoot photographs, a product (accessory) and a layout. We split up into groups and began to look for a location to both have a photo shoot at and to draw inspiration from. As a group, we began to walk taking photos of sit

es like graffiti-ed corners and large instalments of art to the tents and people playing chess at Union Square. Finally, we found a children's playground whilst walking Union Square with colorful spongy tiles of blue and green contrasting the stainless steel metal playing structures that span the width of the site.

The stairs down to the playground created a stage-like scene and the tiles provided a whimsical tone. Seeing the many possibilities of the hard, smooth metal mixed with the spongy, geometric floor sparked inspiration in all group members.

Together, we concluded that we would like to explore this playground as both an inspiration and our site for the photo shoot.