Thursday, January 28, 2010

Posting

Hey guys,

I want to remind you of the importance of posting. It's starting to feel like I'm beating a dead horse. Anyhow. I received feedback from one of you about the difficulty of posting midweek, let me include that this student is taking 5 classes this semester, so I can entertain his comments. I will address it to all of you so that we are clear.

Posting midweek, is mostly for you. Because we only meet once a week, it is absolutely critical that you post midweek. (whether you are finished or not) This will serve as a tool for you to receive feedback early enough for you to modify what you have done and/or get some direction on how to continue prior to us meeting.

I still require posting prior to class. At this point, I can critique your work in class for more direct interaction.

So, that said, I require atleast 2 posts each week. 1-on wednesday and a 2nd on friday. If you have commitments that will prevent this please let me know.

If you don't meet the deadline...

If you don't meet the deadline, please just post as soon as you can. Don't wait till friday because it will defeat the purpose. I will hold you accountable. This course is not going to be an "easy A". (I usually give out only 1 or 2) So keep in mind, that you will have to produce alot in this class.

So if you still have not posted, please do so ASAP.

Tomorrow. I expect new posts with progress based on my comments. (remember to look at each other's work and comments) If there is time after the workshop, I will go over your work.

See you all tonight.

anexact diagrams

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

[MANDATORY] LECTURE & WORKSHOP THIS WEEK

THURSDAY, 5PM PCA135 01/28 Philip Anzalone, AIA_ Fabrication Lab

Hey Class,

This week we have a great lecture lined up. Philip Anzalone. GSAPP AVERY DIGITAL FAB LAB
Also during our class period on Friday, he will be giving a workshop as a supplement to the lecture. This is a great opportunity for us to engage with the many fabricating possibilities associated with this body of work.
The lecture and workshop are mandatory so make sure that I see you on both days.

Class Syllabus

Description

Exploration of the relationship between form and performance through digital animation and scripting techniques applied to the production of a small scale design project.

Pre-requisites

ARC 4058, ARC 5176

Course Objectives

This class aims at the exploration of performative aspects of morphology through investigations in concept cars, biology, complexity science, aerodynamics and computation into architecture. The course will explore the relationships between form and performance, followed by a rigorous investigation of novel techniques in form generation.

Rather than focus on the sculptural and ornamental aspects of Nature, the pedagogy aims at creating cohesive systems based on a rigorous process of iteration.

Through this learning process, techniques in animation and dynamics will allow for the exploration of systematic growth resulting in taxonomies of coherent yet heterogeneous organizations. Animation will be used both in terms of its generative and representational capacities. The class will further explore the conflicting features of skin/surface/structure through systems of panelization and finalize by applying the topological systems in the production of a small programmatic project.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn aggregation techniques, explore computational design methodologies and receive instructions in scripting (Maya MEL, Rhino script). They will explore software applications that incorporate variables of time, reproduction, variation and repetition. They will look at the possibilities found in tools of representation and simulation as active mechanisms of space.

The class will provide students with the theoretical framework and the digital skills that are necessary to progress toward a continually expanding repertoire of conceptual and methodological, intuitive and technical languages. Therefore, everything learned is meant to be further developed by the student.

Major Topics

Performance analysis

Animation as generative and representational tool

Taxonomies of spatial systems

Parametric morphologies

Panelization and detailing of surfaces

Scripting strategies

Applied Software

Maya, Rhinoceros V4, Adobe Premier.

Textbooks (Required)

Introducing May 2009 – Dariush Derakhshani

YSYT-Maya MEL Basics for Designers - Nick Pisca (www.Lulu.com)

Textbooks (Recommended)

Animate Form - Greg Lynn

Atlas of Novel Tectonics - Reiser + Umemoto

Folds, Bodies, & Blobs (Collected Essays) – Greg Lynn

On Growth and Form – D’Arcy Thompson

AD: Versatility and Vicissitude - Michael Hensel & Achim Menges

AD: Techniques and Technologies in Morphogenetic Design - Michael Hensel, Achim Menges, and Michael Weinstock.

Requirements

Course attendance is mandatory. Students are required to produce research, analysis, assignments and projects on a daily and weekly basis and as scheduled. Due to the fact that we meet only once a week, absenteeism is not recommended. The 1^st half of class will be used for lectures and strategic approaches. The 2^nd half is for hands-on training in the lab and an organized review of the assignments.

Course Evaluation

Grading will be based on the University System. The final grade will be determined on the following basis:

Class Participation (attendance + verbal participation) 20%

Assignments & Blog Input 40%

Final Project 40%

Students will be evaluated upon performance in their assignments and projects. A satisfactory grade in the course may be attained by the completion of all work required to the satisfaction of the professor.

Individual initiative and investigation of design and research issues that extend beyond the basic requirements are strongly encouraged.

Grades:

94-100= A 87-89= B+ 80-83= B- 74-76= C 67-69= D+ 60-63= D-

90-93 = A- 84-86= B 77-79= C+ 70-73= C- 64-66= D 0-59 = F

Class Standards:

Attendance and class participation are required at all class meetings (see Course Schedule). Two (2) unexcused absences automatically result in a failing grade for the course. Every absence is 40% off of the attendance and participation grade. Every day you are late, you will receive half (1/2) an absence. An acceptable excused absence is defined by the student having missed class due to extraordinary circumstances beyond his or her control and must be accompanied by written proof. In the event that you miss a class, you are responsible for all material covered. No late work will be accepted. Being absent at a final review will result in a failing grade.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, become familiar with, and abide by all Departmental, College and University requirements and regulations. These include but are not limited to:

-The Florida International University Catalog Division of Student Affairs Handbook of Rights and Responsibilities

-Departmental Curriculum and Program Sheets

-Departmental Policies and Regulations

Course Schedule

Calendar dates are subject to change. Please contact appropriate offices for verification and updates. This calendar includes Official University holidays. Faculty is encouraged to make accommodations for students who wish to observe religious holidays. Students should make their request know at the beginning of the semester in writing. The instructor reserves the right to implement changes to this schedule as required.

WEEK 1

Lecture: precedents and general introduction to animated systems

WEEK 2

Tutorial: morphology/performance analysis + input

WEEK 3

Tutorial: transformation strategies

Desk critique

WEEK 4

Tutorial: editing and parametric control

Desk critique

WEEK 5

Tutorial: detail and micro-articulation

Desk critique

WEEK 6

Tutorial: animation techniques

WEEK 7

Tutorial: generative systems (performance driven)

Desk critique

WEEK 8

Desk critique

MIDTERM: Group presentations

WEEK 9

Tutorial: dynamics

Desk critique

WEEK 10

Tutorial: MEL scripting with Maya

Desk critique

WEEK 11

Tutorial: MEL scripting with Maya

Desk critique

WEEK 12

Tutorial: parametric network – system optimization

Desk critique

WEEK 13

Final adjustment of group projects and set-up of models for 3D output

Desk critique

WEEK 14

FINAL REVIEW

Friday, January 29, 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wasp & Orchid

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WEEK 1

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WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

WEEK 9

WEEK 11

Tutorial: MEL scripting with Maya

WEEK 12

WEEK 13

Final adjustment of group projects and set-up of models for 3D output

WEEK 14

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