Midterm Reflections

Overall, I found the midterm review to be a very successful one in that it was different from the monotonous critiques of our typical studio reviews. I was inspired by the broad scope of approaches employed by the various students in the class. In general, we all had the same departure point, but from there, it was readily apparent that we all experimented with vastly different analytical experimentation.

Although I find the concept of animation as process a very intriguing and avant-garde approach to design, I am still struggling with its practical application in static form. After reading my peers comments on their blogs, I have to agree with the general sentiment that it is difficult to regulate and justify the manipulation of modeled form. The fact that it is so easy to manipulate the original modeled form to get a better view or to create a sexy image is a difficult urge to subdue, despite the fact that it does not hold true to the spirit of the project.

Also, I have to agree with Dorit in that the faculty sitting in on our review from our own school were almost non-existent. I was hoping that they would at least raise some questions as to what we were trying to accomplish or what we had gained out of the assignment. All of the outside reviewers, including Ron and Mark were great, but it is a growing concern of mine that the faculty within the school are falling behind the technological curve of where the profession is heading. These are the people who should be teaching, critiquing and getting us excited about the possibilities of these new tools available to us.