Week Three : The Opus Project

This week we were given another set of five words. They were Scale, Unity, Section, Boundaries, and Vignettes. All of these words were very important in the week. Scale drawings were given in my drafting class, were I had to create scale drawings of a chair that I created. Unity is always apart of the projects that I make. Every small part or piece of material works to create a unified whole. Section drawings were also done this week as well as throughout this past year. Finally, vignettes are something I just learned how to do, and I find that it is a great way of demonstrating and highlighting the focal point of a place and space.

Scale. Drawing things to scale gives the viewer a better understanding of the space you are presenting or the creation you are demonstrating. It allows the picture to seem more realistic. In architecture, one must always consider scale in the spaces they create. "the complete harmonization of proportioned parts in the finished building is especially remarkable, for the architects were using elements originally proportioned for a building of different design" (Roth, 236). When you pay close attention to the scale of your designs, the finished product will, more then likely, be something pretty darn spectacular. (Above is an example of a scaled drawing).

Unity. "A whole or totality as combining all its parts into one" (dictionary.com) Unity, to me, is creating a cohesive project. A project where every form of material (last week's word) relates to each other to form one whole, one strong sturdy piece. A perfect example of unity, is found in the nautilus shell. The shell contains many different small compartments that add onto and layer to form one beautiful piece of nature. The picture above was my Unity Project from last semester, the twelve white planes create the shape of the nautilus shell and the skewers are meant to be and abstract grid of that shell.

Section. When dealing with drafting and architecture, section views are really important. They are the only way you can see the inside of building without looking directly from the top. A great example of a section drawing is in Blakemore's History of Interior Design and Furniture, Figure 1-1, p 4. Above is a section drawing that I completed in my drafting class last semester, that I feel really demonstrates a proper section drawing.

Boundaries. Albert Camus said, “Whereas the Greeks gave to will the boundaries of reason, we have come to put the will's impulse in the very center of reason, which has, as a result, become deadly.” This quote is a great illustration of the boundary. It describes that the Greeks gave boundaries to their will by basing it off of reason, and not completely judging everything to reason. It goes into saying that now, people place their will in reason and base all their actions to reason without thinking outside of that and from this the results can be deadly. Below is a picture of a boundries created through trees. Trees create a shelter, a save haven, a place to hide.

Vignettes. "an engraving, drawing, photograph, or the like that is shaded off gradually at the edges so as to leave no definite line at the border" (dictionary.com). In my drawing and studio classes, we have been assigned to do a series of vignettes, all about different things. I personally enjoy doing vignettes, I find that they do a better job emphasizing what is important, unlike drawings that fill the whole page. Above is an example of a vignette that I created for another assignment (the picture is also posted below).