T h e H u m a n i t y P r o j e c t : begginings

about the project: The Humanity Project is an exhibition for everyone to experience. It is serving to inform, educate, and empower people all over the world of human rights and the global instances that have or are threatening them. Everyone is familiar with the Holocaust and recognizes it's significance in history and is the most widely known genocide to date. Human rights can be threatened in any country, no matter how cultured, advanced, forward thinking, or democratic. In fact, Germany was a democracy and one of the most technologically advanced countries at the time the Holocaust officially began.

In the space I want to revisit the Holocaust and what it teaches to us humans in terms of treatment and respect of others. Then, I would like to inform the general public of three current genocides that have or are taking place  today such as Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. The main idea in raising these issues is to ask ourselves, "how could this happen again?" as well as to not become indifferent to the suffering of others.

This exhibition will force you to ask yourself,  "what can I do?"  because what everyone of us does MATTERS. By making truth accessible we are educating future generations and influencing them to not allow such tragedies to occur.

Possibly the most important function of The Humanity Project is to remember and acknowledge facts about human rights.

"Memory is what shapes us. Memory is what teaches us. We must understand that's where our redemption is." - Estelle Laughlin, Holocaust Survivor

sketches/ideas:

 

New Fun

I am so upset that I didn't learn this sooner! Just the other day I was taught a wonderful ink transfer process. Transfer an image on cardboard, color paper, newspaper, another image, or anything made of paper.

Here are a few of my transfers so far:

 

 

This is my favorite. The image is of a raccoon in a suit, but now takes on a whole new meaning. The absence of some details such as his eyes and face suggest some greater, political meaning. I may be using all three of these ink transfers in my current project. I love discovering new ways to use media.

Here is how:
1. Just mirror an image that you like in photoshop
2. print it out
3. place the reverse image on the paper of your choice (face down)
4. then press a blender marker over the image (a blender marker is an illustration marker that designers, fashion designers, and illustration artists use). use pressure and be even with pen distribution
5. The text or image will transfer on your paper! you can do soooo much with this process

ENJOY!

 

The Union sketches

Brainstorming and sketching while considering all of the requirements for my retail space allow ideas and creative thinking to come to fruition. It's not about "pretty", it is about process. Now with a semi complete project, I can really see where I began to take my ideas and learn more about how I think and create. This is my favorite part of the design process; I get to convey ideas with drawings as well as have a visual diary of my project from beginning to end.

 

 

What does the star have to do with The Union?
I added the star closer to the end of the design process when I began to think more about what a Union can be and began to do more research.The star is a symbol of unity which is an essential part of The Union coffee house's design concept.

UNION:

1. the act of uniting two or more things.

2. the state of being united.

3. something formed by uniting two or more things; combination.

4. a number of persons, states, etc., joined or associated together for some common purpose: student union; credit union.

5. a group of states or nations united into one political body, as that of the American colonies at the time of the Revolution, that of England and Scotland in 1707, or that of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801.

6. the Union. the United States: The Union defeated the Confederacy in 1865.

7. a device emblematic of union, used in a flag or ensign, sometimes occupying the upper corner next to the staff or occupying the entire field.

 

The Union

For my first project in Studio III I had to design a retail space of my choice in 1,000 square feet. I decided to 
research and design a coffee house that would be authentic, marketable, but most importantly active within 
the community as well as the world. 

I love coffee shops because of the interesting people that they attract, their general aesthetic, and of course the bottomless cup of coffee. Because I love to study people's mannerisms as well as anything socially awkward a coffee shop is a good place for someone like myself to sit and simply observe. These experiences as well as extensive research of materials and layout led me to this design.

THE UNION IS A COFFEE HOUSE THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO COME AND THINK, SOCIALIZE, OR SIMPLY GRAB A COFFEE. THE UNIONS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT CREATES  A PLACE WHERE THE CUSTOMERS CAN BETTER EACH OTHER WITH CONVERSATION, REFLECTION, AND COFFEE. 

  
THE UNION IS AN ACTIVIST. WE GIVE BACK TO THE COFFEE FARMERS IN EAST AFRICA BY 
 SUPPORTING TECHNOSERVE WHICH IS HELPING THESE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS BOOST THEIR 
INCOMES BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THEIR COFFEE. TECHNOSERVE HAS PARTNERED WITH 
180,000 FARMERS IN ONLY FOUR YEARS.

Because I love food

Because I love food, especially breakfast food, I want to share the news. This morning I paid a friendly visit to The Social House. Every week, someone new proclaims to me that I must try their brunch; yes, I am the person people go to when they are excited about good food.

The Social House contained all of the things that brunch should such as casual attire, social atmosphere, group friendly, and convenient parking. It is located on Howell Mill which is within walking distance from where I live; just another plus. The service, atmosphere, and spinach and feta omelet with a side of fruit were oh so delicious. 

The picture above is of Lorenzo; the extremely nice owner of The Social House.

The Humanity Project

In this video I wanted to demonstrate both current and historical examples of human rights being abused. Some examples are literal and others metaphorical. Images, historical footage, and music really help me to begin to visualize my project space as a whole as well as narrow down specific conflicts and current global issues that should be discussed. 

Images/videos: YouTube. 

Music: Sigur Ros

Below are some preliminary diagrams, notes, and sketches that will influence the project.

 Before meeting up with  friends Friday night, I decided to stop by the Bodies exhibit for some quick sketches. If you are looking for great visual and mental stimulation this is the place.

The Bodies were authentic, beautiful, and as scientifically displayed as possible. As a design major, I couldn't help my interest in how one goes about displaying the human body to paying customers. I enjoyed the facts and information given with each display, particularly the way the male and female body were portrayed and exhibited.

The human body is such a sensitive subject to display; in fact, it is on the edge of offensive. I struggled to depersonalize myself from the bodies while walking through the exhibit and tried to simply see them as works of art.

I would suggest not eating beforehand as I did.

Design Can Change the World

For a class assignment I was asked to research designs and designers that are using what they do and how they think to change the world we live in. From my research I have found some great resources for designers, architects, or simply passionate people that care about making a difference. I have discovered that no matter who you are or what you do you can help to change the world. 


Ten design/designer organizations that are changing the world:

http://www.sustainableatlanta.org/

Sustainable Atlanta was founded in 2007 out of the City's commitment to long-term economic and environmental sustainability for Atlanta. Environmental sustainability is a critical factor in making Atlanta a more competitive and viable city.

http://www.edra.org/

The Environmental Design Research Association advances and disseminates behavior and design research toward improving understanding of the relationships between people and their environments. 

http://orgs.tigweb.org/design-for-change-contest

Design for Change Contest 2010 is an international competition to promote children taking the reigns of global change into their own hands so they can, BE THE CHANGE. The rules are simple: Children must design a solution to a problem in their community and make it happen!

http://www.handsonatlanta.org/AboutUs/index.php/index.html

Hands On Atlanta is a non-profit organization that  helps individuals, families and corporate and community groups find flexible volunteer opportunities at more than 400 service organizations and schools. Hands On Atlanta volunteers, now 37,000 strong, are at work every day of the year building community and meeting critical needs in schools, parks, senior homes, food banks, pet shelters, low-income neighborhoods and more.

http://architecture.about.com/od/socialconcerns/tp/relief.htm

When earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other horrific disasters strike, architects and designers play important roles in the recovery process. From constructing new homes to designing essential medical clinics and schools, volunteers help rebuild devastated communities. While dozens of organizations do wonderful work in relieving human suffering, the non-profit agencies listed here are remarkable for their ability to provide desperately needed construction materials and technical skills. Did we leave out your favorite architecture charity? 

http://www.usgbc.org/

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

http://www.dftw.org/

DFTW Foundation is a nonprofit, 501©(3) tax status organization that provides the training, tools and methods for constructing superior shelters and complete community systems, both urban and rural, for the world’s most needy. Monolithic EcoShells and Monolithic Domes are at the heart of those methods.

http://www.desis-network.org/

DESIS is a network of schools of design and other schools, institutions, companies and non-profit organizations interested in promoting and supporting design for social innovation and sustainability.

http://www.nrdc.org/buildinggreen/leed.asp

In the United States and in a number of other countries around the world, LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Achieving LEED certification is the best way for you to demonstrate that your building project is truly "green."

http://clodagh.com/about/vision.php

To enhance life and spirit through timeless, responsible design... total design.

Based on the 4C’s of design, total design aims to contemplate the space, cleanse it of unnecessary items while clarifying all goals, needs and desires thereby creating a space that is unique and timeless. Total design is about serenity and simplicity, open spaces and clean contemporary lines.

“a space cannot be truly beautiful unless it functions in harmony with who we are... it’s about pleasure: discovering what pleases us and creating an environment that will celebrate those qualities and sustain us”. Clodagh

Glorifying the forgotten

I have a strange obsession with old photographs from the early 1900's. If you have ever visited an antique store you have probably seen the piles of lonely pictures for sale that were once someone's prized possession and are now forgotten photographs. All of the images were significant of birthdays, loves, friendships, family, childhood, travels and anything that the picture's owner wanted to document and have forever.

Taking a picture in 1925 was a very formal event. Photography for the masses had just arrived and people began to play with this notion of documenting milestones, events, or for fun.  

When I stumbled across this portrait of a young girl I was instantly intrigued. There is something about the image that I couldn't leave to be unappreciated. My intention is to re-glorify the forgotten image with mixed media.

Here again, from a book of images taken from 1920 to 1929, I came across a young girl and her sister. The book has at least forty more images of these two girls laughing and posing. I know nothing about these girls but somehow care to protect and preserve the evident bond that they shared.

By recognizing an old photograph, we are glorifying something forgotten and perhaps giving back it's significance. I may continue this calling and process since it gives me a good excuse to keep collecting photos of strangers.

Territory

In interior design, we have walls. On a farm, we have fences.
This profound observation has led me to think more about boundaries and the need we as humans have to preserve them. This land has been passed down for hundreds of years and has been maintained and protected from development to ensure the family business of farming.

I love looking at open pastures for their simplicity and Zen nature. Meditating or observing this view never fails to enlighten, elevate, or teach me something new. When I have time to get out of the city I visit this landscape. It reminds me of how simple life should be and gives me a fresh mental slate. The colors, the smells, and the sounds all convey to me that the world is beautiful and everything will be ok. 

Maysville

I love old houses. The chipped paint, the intricate details, the large porch, and the idea that an evil witch still resides there. On a visit to my hometown in north Georgia I decided to pay a visit to one of my favorite little getaways only a few miles from my house.

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone has a place and this is mine. I come here for inspiration, peace, or just to look around and see what I can find.