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MODULE 4

Frame vs. Field

I was tasked to reinterpret a snippet of text from Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities novel within the context of the Old Quad building. Using Isometric and Perspective representation, I have to communicate my narratives using digital software (Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator) to build and notate the Old Quad building.

CONCEPT

In my interpretation of Ersilia, the people formed relationships to maintain a social balance and structure among themselves. These relationships are physically manifested as chains that were strung between the pillars. When the relationships turned complicated, the chains became so numerous that they could no longer pass through them, causing disruptions to their everyday life. Unable to break the chains apart, they chose to abandon their home and search for a new place to rebuild Ersilia.

The people of Ersilia felt that starting a new life elsewhere would be the solution to the problems. However, they found themselves building a city of similar relationships again. The people kept running away from their problems and turning back to their old ways.

DESIGN

The lower half of the old quad is torn apart with only little foundation remaining to represent the old demolished cities, and the upper half of the old quad is designed in a more structured way, representing the new land they searched for. I wanted to create a stark contrast between the two planes. The gradual elevation represents the physical sense of difficulty for the people to find a new place to rebuild their city.

The built-up atmosphere in the centre represents the great amount of tension created by the people, knowing that they have nowhere to go. The gaze and glance arrows indicate the inward reflection of their emotions of loss, sadness and nothingness.

FIRST PERSPECTIVE

In the first perspective, the rain, stormy skies, withered branches, ravens represent the emotional fear that the people felt in their hearts as they embarked on their search for a new location. The cracks on the ground, walls, and ceilings gave the sense of fragility to the structure of the building. I have chosen some people that are facing their old demolished city, in the midst of reminiscing their past, while some people are in the moment of running away in fear.

SECOND PERSPECTIVE

In the second perspective, I wanted to capture a perspective of the visitors who travel through the old buildings in Ersilia a few years later. When all the fear and panic have subsided, the visitors would visit the ruins and witness the loose-hanging chains, the growth of new plants, and the vines that fall from the ceiling. The ruins represented not only the complicated relationships the people once have, but also represented the struggles the people have gone through. The visitors can only hope for the people of Ersilia to find a new place that they care and love for. Hence, I added a dove, rays of light and the tranquillity wash to represent peace and hope.

PROCESS

My analysis on the text.

First draft of design rationale to define the analysis.

Second draft of design rationale to mark the annotations required.

Perspective 1 - Before VS After (Rhino Screen Shot - Photoshop).

Perspective 2 - Before VS After (Rhino Screen Shot - Photoshop).

Characters.

FINAL CHANGES

BEFORE

AFTER

Perspectives too low.

I adjusted it to a higher position.

Sectional cuts not accurately defined.

I made changes to the sectional cuts, limiting them to the boundaries.

REFLECTION

This module has seamlessly created an environment where I have to use all four software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Rhino). Through the process, I have found and learned many keyboard shortcuts and was able to quickly grasp the fundamental of using each software. The most difficult part of the assignment was getting the shadows and lighting done right. Before that, I was deeply inspired by Robert Chen's work and decided to follow his style of editing. In my mind, I was thinking of creating a work that was better than Robert's. The most tedious part of the assignment was applying the masks to texture the pillars and ground. It took up the most time. This module had made me realised the importance of generating realism into an image, through the use of shadows and lighting. It is also important to be detailed and have a good understanding of my own story before starting on the design. With that, I think it was interesting and fun to create something out of a literature extract by Italo Calvino.