Picture of David Collins

David Collins Spread

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland in 1955, David Collins had yet to know how he would impact the world of design. His father worked in Dublin as an architect, but David wanted to pursue a law degree. He started out schooling at Conleths School when we was young and after he realized his lack of qualifications in Latin would not let him pursue a path in law, he began to follow his father’s footsteps in design. He went to the Bolton Street School of Architecture where he obtained degree as an architect.

After school, he traveled to London where he founded his David Collins Architecture and Design firm in 1985. As he began his interior design career, a close friend asked him to redecorate his new house. He soon admitted later, “I knew nothing, I’d never even seen the World of Interiors. But luckily the guy knew what he wanted, and his ex-wife helped me find the materials.” From here, everything began to set sail. Early years, David and his partner, Lain Watson, set out for a new way of thinking when it comes to design. Together, they wanted to focus on sophistication when it came to the aesthetics and rationality. He began designing for some of the largest recognized and glamorous names in the restaurant industry. Modernists such as Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe were the sources of his inspiration throughout the 20^th century. He was personally fond of Mies, who famously said, “God is in the detail.”

One of Collins most well known clients was Madonna. She was a tremendous fan of his style in his work, the two became admirable friends when she commissioned him to design one of her friend’s nightclubs. It was later noted that Collins had writing credit on Madonna’s 1998 single “Drowned World/Substitute for Love”.

David Collins is a truly gifted man who set high goals for incoming, future designers. He designed some of the most remarkable interiors and was a true inspiration for all. In the past year, he unfortunately died due to a virulent skin cancer but he will always be remembered for his work and unique style in the design world.

Works Cited

Collins, David. David Collins Biography–Luxury Interior Design, Commercial Luxury Architecture. David Collins Biography–Luxury Interior Design, Commercial Luxury Architecture. Propeller, 1985. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.

Joyce, Carmel. "A COLLINS CREATION. (Cover Story)." World Of Hibernia 6.1 (2000): 64. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.

Young, Richard. "David Collins." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 17 July 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.

David Collins: Interior Designer

-he was born and raised in Dublin
-he lived from 1955 to 2013: dying from a rare skin cancer
-designer and architect behind some of the world's most glamorous restaurants, bars and boutiques
-His business partner is Lain Watson
-Inspired by the approach of 20th century modernist titans like Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe
-In 1985, he founded the David Collins Studio

Errol Morris on Photography Video Reflection

Photographs are connected to the physical world. It is a true investigation into the world in which the photograph was taken. “Vally of the shadow of death”- barren landscape covered with cannon balls. You don’t know which one came before the other, the cannon balls or the trench. Did he pose the pictures? What makes an honest and truthful photograph? They shouldn’t be posed and only observe from a distance, they are neither true no false. The pictures are vested in language. They are all somewhat posed in some way. You can never see the absence of something in the photograph. You don’t see everything around it just the picture no the before or after or even what is right or left. You have to investigate to find out. if you want to understand you have to look at little details to find the larger questions. They become iconic bc they have a power over us and a power that takes us in. They have taken on meaning to people. I completely agree on the statement that pictures take on different meaning to different people. I personally have a stronger connection to some pictures more then others. As for the statement that everything is posed I do agree with that because a person looks at the view of the shot that they are taking and finds the best angle, which is the same thing as posing a shot. 

Ways of Seeing Video Reflection

Seeing something without having to be there. The camera is like an eye. Now things can be seen in a million different places at different times. the images come to you. Thinks like original paints still have their own look but reproductions distort somewhat. When you are zooming into a picture you can change the meaning of the painting. Even showing different types of movement of showing off the picture can change the composition of the picture or painting. The meaning of the image can be changed with what surrounds it or what you see after it. I am not sure I would suggest to watch this move to anyone else. I did get what they were saying in the movie but it was ver outdated. Thinking about it now I do get what they were saying about how zooming up on pictures can change the whole composition of the poster. People relate what they see in pictures to what they see in their own lives. Basically the overview of the movie was that context means everything. 

“Photos Change Everything” Reflection

Photography can have so many different meanings. It can tell so many different stories and symbolize so many different things. It is a moment captured in time that will always be there for one to remember. Taking photographs is like a second nature to people no a days. It is so easy to capture things with our phones so that we can keep a little piece of that moment forever. Photography changes what we want by pictures of things that a person has a desire for. Weather it be beauty, an object, or even happiness. Photography shows us what our human eyes cannot see on their own. It also changes who we are in a way. We choose to group ourselves with different ideas and concepts that all go back to other examples or stereotypes that we have seen pictures of. Photography has an influence on what we do and what we plan on doing. When looking at pictures from around the world that influences our choices on where we would like to go or travel to see in the future. Photography also changes what we remember. With the visual aid of photography we are able to see and image and remember it wether it be a memory or a picture of a specific building for a test. With out photography we would be living in a different world. People wouldn’t know what other animals looked like from other countries or even what other countries looked like unless they saw them with their own eyes. Photography really is an amazing creation and we should not take it for granted.  

“On Photography” Reflection

Ever since 1939 when the creation of photography was invented the human race has been using it non stop. Photographs surround our world everywhere we go and every time we think. It helps give out information and communicated different things to people everywhere. To photograph something it helps put you into power of capturing an image or a moment in time. You have to be able to give that moment justice and capture it just right so that it can be remembered. It is different then just writing about something because one must be able to imagine and come up with it in their head. By being able to have a picture they have the ability to see what it actually looks like and keep that image in their brain. We take pictures to remember. It could be a memory, a person, or even a feeling that you had at the time. Photography is all about the connections that either the photographer has with the picture or that the viewer gets from the picture. 

“A Viewer’s Guide to Looking at Photography” Reflection

The goal that one must have for analyzing photos would be to understand them and gain insight from them. Take the time, appreciate them, keep out all prejudices.There are 4 steps to analyzing, the first is description. Describe everything as neutrally as possible and keep opinions out. Also make sure you get the details, lines in the picture, color structure, relationships, shape of the photo, texture, perspective, space, lights and shadows, quality of edges, time, quality of photo, and harmonious color. The next step is formal analysis. Still without passing any judgments have a interpretive tying together of these facts: geometric shapes, parallels or repetition, theme, contrast, over all composition and balance. The third step is to put the photograph into interpretation. Making no judgments but asking the question “why”. Look at symbols, straight forward, trying to say something specific, feelings involved, what does the photo remind you of, what is the picture really about, is it important because of the subject or the treatment of the subject, what is the photographers statement to the relationship of the photo. Lastly in the evaluation ask yourself what standards should it be evaluated, is the most important at the top and not important at the bottom, how original is the statement. If the following questions can be answered about the photo it will be enhanced: do other photos from this person have the same theme, quality, history, or position? This guide to looking at photography has some very good points. Descriptions to pictures are always required so that the viewer will be able to understand the picture and pick out the small details with the aid of the description. When they say not to pass any judgments in the formal analysis and in the interpretations I highly agree with that because a person should keep an open mind when first looking at a work of art. Take the facts and why and how it makes you feel and then when you evaluate the picture at the end you are able to form an opinion with the art work.  

Master of Illusion pt. 2

Leonardo DaVinci was a man was was skilled and examined every little aspect of his work. He did research over the eye to find out the perspectives of it. The absolute simplest form is the sphere. Adding light and shadow to a sphere creates depth and helps define a 3D form. The masters became even more skilled when they started using this technique in there paintings. Bodies began to stand out making the paintings look 3D. The next technique Leonardo invented and began to use is the anamorphic image. This could hide double meanings behind a work of art. The high renaissance was was when all the techniques were invented during the renaissance and the beginning of illusions in many amazing artworks.

Masters of Illusion pt. 1

In the Renaissance, linear perspective changed the way many artists perceived and looked at art, it opened up a whole new world for the masters of the Renaissance. This was a new discovery that changed art forever. Vanishing points were the beginning of linear perspective and it led into many mediums of art. Not just paintings but sculptures as well.The Trinity, a work of art introduced to me in my Art History class, was the first piece that ever used true linear perspective. Durer, a German pioneer, wanted to bring these same linear techniques to the human body. His drawing he constructed looked as if it was computer generated. The lines were perfectly spaced and equal.

Beginning Photos

Bike Riding









We watch as she gets on her bike and then rides off away from me.

Eating







Watching Katie take a spoonful of her food.

Mask Peeling






We watch as she slowly peels off her mask.

Beach Pictures
Watching a person walk across the beach with the ocean in the background.

Summary of the Vessel Project

This project used the skills of an industrial designer. For me, I enjoyed the project becuase I like making things with my hands. The beginning was difficult for me because I didn’t know what type of design I wanted to use. I chose a geometric shape, which I knew once I got to the wood cutting part it would be difficult but I accepted that challenge. After the final model I made with cardboard, I went to the band-saw with cardboard. I didn’t get the exact shape of my original design as I was hoping for, but I liked the new shape it created. After the cardboard I bought my wood and then eventually began to cut the wood. The hardest part for me in this project was not cutting the wood but gluing it and having to clamp it down. The clamps were confusing and I never quite understood how to use them but I did my best. Overall, I felt my vessel was successful and met the requirements of what was asked.

Description of the Vessel Project

In this project, we were presented with the task of designing and creating our own sentimental vessel. The designing process was where we had to come up with multiple different ideas for the three objects we chose that are sentimental to us. From there we narrowed the nine design ideas we had into three designs and make a model of each of those. After the critiquing, we went right to the drawing board and modified our favorite/most dynamic model we had. Once we were okay’ed to go on we started our experimenting with the band saw using cardboard. This helped us get the feel of the machine and helped us decide whether our design was plausible on the band saw machine. The final steps of this project were to buy your wood, glue it up, and then start your cutting. Once the cutting of the box was finished, all you had left was the sanding and the finish primer.

Final Vessel

The finished product was a hexagonal shaped diamond that had an opening on top. The opening only fits a certain way on the box of because of the stopper so it won’t fall off. The shape symbolizes the uniqueness of my bracelet because diamonds themselves are all unique. The bracelets monogrammed heart makes this piece different then other Tiffany bracelets and I wanted the uniqueness to be shown through my vessel.

Band-Saw Experimenting

The band-saw was strange and awkward at first considering I’ve never used one before. After a while I started to get the hang of it and felt more comfortable with using it. Cutting the wood seemed easy to me and the overall cutting experience was positive for me and I would enjoy doing it again.

The Nature and Design of Aesthetics

When it comes to design, many people look for the “cheapest” way to make a new product. We often say “better” when we mean “cheaper.” Design seems to be set on limitations. A designer can present a shape to workman and they can make it for them but only with the given materials they have. The economy has had a major influence on design whether we may recognize it or not. Many techniques are taken into use when making a design piece. Techniques of altering materials, such as constructing, shaping, wasting, forming, and casting have been used when designing pieces out of certain materials. More techniques are used because most know, you can cut almost any shape out of a material and join anything to anything. Processing materials are the only way to extend the limitation on materials. Altering their properties, like hardening steel with heat or making fiber out of glass is processing materials but it is still rudimentary. For wood, the design of an object is endless. The restriction is the amount of wood we have. This ties to our project because we really have endless oppurtunities when working with wood. We can cut and shape the wood to any figure we want, it all just depends on the materials we were given in the first place.

Summary of Tim Brown's Video

Tim Brown, the speaker in this video, realized that design isn’t about making something beautiful and easier to use. He wanted to focus more on design thinking and not what you make from it. With design thinking, you are able to solve wayfinding. But since early design, design has grown bigger again. Designs important and works better when it is taken out of the hands of designers and put in the hands of everyone else. This helps to make a bigger impact on our world, not just the design world. Design works better though when building is used in order to think. Prototypes of design helps speed up the process. But in times of change we need new ideas. Questions are new choices so we need to start to ask the right questions.

Cocofinding Website Reflection

This website gives exact description of this project and how we are suppose to deal with it. It talks about each specific part of the project and how we are suppose to do it so it will be a successful wayfinding. It gives very helpful information about orientation- maps that are legible, directional information- involves signage, destination information- which gives on point destination signs, and situation and object identification- graphics hat show local hazards. Reading this information helped our group identify what we wanted to do with our wayfinding for the bike paths and racks and provided us with some good fundamental strategies.

Ethnography Reflection

Ethnography is an approach to understanding people. Ethnographer’s know the right questions to ask and when to ask them. From this they can come up with compelling stories and incredible insights. Ethnography relates to this wayfinding project because ethnographers find a problem and in the end fixes it. For our project we are initially suppose to do the same thing so we are ethnographers ourselves. The steps in ethnography is something important to look at and know for our wayfindings because it will help solve our wayfinding problems in a successful manner. Tips such as making observations, making and having conversation, and capturing data in ethnography are important parts in the researching we must do for our wayfinding project. This will help report a better outcome and have a more correct insight.

Verplank Designing Interactions Summary

Bill Verplank was a man who could do what most can’t; he had the ability to draw while he spoke. His drawings are interacting designs with the words he was saying. In his interaction designs he comes up with three important questions to answer; how do you do, how do you feel, and how do you know? “How do you do” is really how are you affecting the world in the actions you are taking. For the person you are designing for, are you doing something for them? The next question asked, “How do you feel” is really asking how do you get feedback? Does the person you’re designing for feel a good feeling from your work or a bad feeling. The last question you must ask is “how do you know?” For this question you provide the users exactly the right amount of information to understand how to use your work. Maps or just giving something identification is a good way to help the users understand. With these three questions answered successfully, that’s how you’ve identified your product as a success.

Final Bike Map

Bike Rack Map

Wayfinding Project: Bike Paths AEIOU

AEIOU

Activity:

what is the destination?

-Jayhawk Blvd

Environment:

where is your space?

-Between the Oread and the Chi Omega Fountain

Individual:

who will be using the space?

-KU students, specifically the students who own bikes

Object:

what is in the space?

-pedestrians, cars, buses and bikers

Understanding:

will users be able to observe, read, learn and comprehend your way-finding system?

                        -make clear signs with legible reading, colors that comprehend with the surroundings

nodes: bikeracks

districts: union and wescoe

paths: streets, walkways, routes, paths to the bike racks 

edges: oread and fountain, intersection, street boundaries

landmarks: buildings, intersection

Bike Paths

Lawrence is known for their bike friendly community. The University of Kansas doesn't have any biking identification to help pedestrians or drivers (of all vehicles).  Since Jayhawk Boulevard is traffic heavy, we decided to adjust the wayfinding from the Chi Omega Fountain to The Oread. 

Problems: 

• No visual bike lanes
• No representation for location of bike racks (on maps or physical signage)
• Night safety

What we plan on doing:

• Clear signage for lanes, bike racks, and awareness
• Bright paint colors for noticeability 
• Fluorescent lights and reflective signage for night safety 
• Signage for campus buildings
• Adjust campus maps to show location of bike racks