Category: LookingOutwards-05

Computer Generated Graphic of Louis Khan’s library in Exeter

The Third and the Seventh project created by Alex Roman is stunning in its aesthetic sensibility and the techniques used in the process of the generation. As the man behind some of the greatest architecture visualizations of all time, Alex is an CG artists3 who utilizes DSMax and V-Ray for rendering, Photoshop for texture work, AfterEffects for compositing and color grading and Adobe Premiere for edit it all.

What’s really fascinating about this project is the fact that every frame was computer generated, and because of Alex’s incredible sensibility about lighting, shades and color, series of images arouse profound 3 dimensional, spatial feelings in a 2 dimensional display.

While surfing over various works by 3D graphic artists, I noticed plenty were creating graphics that were so real, that they were not distinguishable from reality, or ones that very picturesque to draw an awe from the viewer. However, Mike Campau’s work hit me with an odd way. Thought the texture was realistic, the general form was not. His work was not necessarily the most well composed or beautiful. Nevertheless, what is clear in his graphics is that all of them get a sense of what is being said across to the viewer. It is clear to even a child that Steph curry is very hydrated and that helps his performance. viewer is struck with a fresh and revitalizing feeling of the image, and when they notice that it is an advertisement for Brita (the water filter jar), the same sense of image stays. This ability explains how Campau is so successful in the advertising business.

In addition, Campau treats computer graphic as computer graphic. By this, I mean there in some integrity in his image that prevents it from deceiving the viewer to think something unreal is real. What is the purpose if computer graphic, a tool to make something unreal, makes something so real that it is indistinguishable from photography? Campau instead, integrates photography into his art and generates a synergy between what is unreal and real.

I discovered Lee Robinson, a Art Director, Motion Graphics Designer and Photographer, based in London while perusing through Pinterest, and found all his work to be incredibly charming.  He does these random exercises every so often that displays 3D renditions of things ranging from whimsical concept art to abstracted materials such as glass-like objects.  This particular piece, called Kinetic Entanglement, stood out to me because of its erie- out – of- this- world factor. The special use of glass like stick and objects displays a delicate yet captivating phenomenon.

These graphics are from an advertisement from Nike’s Breathe collection. The artist, Rizon Parein, is a 3D designer and illustrator from Belgium who has created a multitude of advertisements for Nike as well as other major companies such as Toyota, Samsonite, and Nespresso. His project captured my attention because it does an effective job of conveying the “breathability” and “bounce” of the Nike sneakers with the placement of the balls as the upper structure of the shoes. The balls look to be made of mesh fabric, which can be inferred as “breathable” in terms of shoe design.

However, what I admire most about the design of the shoe is Parein’s nod to minimalism — he uses only a few elements, but leaves just enough information so that the viewer can infer that he/she is looking at a sneaker.

You can review more of Parein’s work for Nike on his website.

rendered walkthrough using Unreal Engine 4

Rendering, in profession of architecture, is essential as realistic visualization ultimately betters the understandings of a project for clients than architectural drawings. Through the evolving technology, 3D video game engines grew to be available for architects as developers of game Gears of War allowed their rendering software Unreal Engine to be free to architects as well as other video game render engines that became more cost efficient for architects.
another rendered walkthrough using Unreal Engine 4

However, utilizing video game engines have both pros and cons. Through this technology, architects can produce realistic, animated walkthroughs as shown above that enhance understanding of experiential and spatial qualities such as light in a shorter amount of time. And the fact that this technology is available to architects for free is the most convincing reason to integrate the program into architectural process. On the other hand, it requires time to learn as well as adjust into a new workflow that might further complicates the process. Also, the engine itself was created for video games creating stylistic differences from other architectural renderings. It is possible for architectural programs to evolve into what video game engine provides. Therefore, the debate comes down to who will step forward to make that change occur.

This was created by iterating many satellite structures to create a fragmented surface texture as a Mandelbulb piece. I really liked this piece as it seemed to have a lot of depth to it even though it was generated by an algorithm. You can also clearly see the artist’s intentions through this piece, and also visualize what he was trying to create. I think it’s really unique when an artist is able to make something so identifiable with such a vague concept.

“Tilt Brush” is launched by Google, which enables users to paint sound. I think this project rather interesting because vision is still the more intuitive sense to human than other forms. Emotions can be expressed more clearly through visual effects. By converting sounds to images, users can understand the sound more.

The qualities of sound can be divided into volume, tone and tune, as images can be expressed by different colors, shapes and composition. I think the developers might have connect these qualities accordingly–use different qualities of sound to control their counterparts in images.

Information in vision can be more prominent than in hearing, so users might experience the sound more thoroughly.

Here is the link for the project.
The Tilt Brush by Google