Decadent Design

I've been focusing on 3D modelling over the summer and fall, and strangely it always causes me to revisit architecture and interior design. I have a relatively thick folder full of things I intend(ed) to model at some point. Believe it or not, this week I actually got tired of churning out doodles. Before I started running out of ideas, I found myself redrawing some of the same concepts. Enough was enough!

I blame Halloween for the idea of modelling candy as a break in the pattern. And eventually candy brings you to the same place.



Chocolate.



NEVER. Google. Chocolate.



You'd think there'd be more pictures of cocoa beans; At least THEY can be mistaken for coffee beans. Instead you get a delightful blend of professionally photographed assortments in giftwrapped boxes (moreso if you add 'Godiva' to your search query), Stacks of unwrapped bars, melted fondue being drizzled into pools of even MORE of the stuff, and a mishmash of assorted photography that Google seems to think is related (as always).

And for my 100th post: Cue the obligatory "things made of chocolate" segment!

*Image from http://crossfitzone.ca*

While there aren't enough flavours to cover every category in the implied legend, this pie graph was crafted well enough to convey statistics. Beyond aesthetics, all 3 flavours are not inherently necessary (but they do seem to enhance the sense of asymmetry).

*Image by Michael Sholk*

Too delicious to use, but too beautiful to eat? That's the question! My only regret is that I cannot purchase one (that I know of). It looks like I Love Typography picked up on this one as well!

*Image from http://www.gourmetimports.com*

The only downside is that if your coffee is too hot, they might melt. I know from personal experience what happens to chocolate once it kisses a hot beverage (also, if you're the type that doesn't get a sugar rush easily, combining this with hot chocolate might just be your kiss of death). On the flipside, I can see this as a more practical vessel for iced cappuccino or chocolate milk.

*Image from Iconic*

This one brought The Chocolate Touch to mind. I vaguely remember a part where the protagonist is chewing on his pencil, only to have it turn to chocolate!


Chocolate as a Material

While visually striking, chocolate has three fatal flaws. Sensitivity to Temperature, limited shelf life (before the ingredients begin to separate), and that it can trigger cravings on sight.

Cryengine 3 - The Titanic

Image Taken from Wikipedia

Aside from blueprints and old photographs (and subsequent digital reconstructions) there isn't much oppourtunity left to really get a feel for what the Titanic looked like from a passenger's perspective. What's more, the ship itself slowly erodes with every passing year (offering fewer chances for exploration).

After the Castle Neuschwanstein render I talked about in August, this was one of the more impressive (and tasteful) projects I've seen lately. The level seen here (while still not complete) is part of a larger game project called "Titanic: Lost in Darkness".

I plan on following the project for a while to see if it's creator intends to include the Turkish baths.

3D Printing

Video taken from Youtube

3D printing is a relatively modern concept, where instead of assembling an object based on the blueprint created by a computer, the computer sends the 'blueprint' directly to the printer, where it's assembled in layers.

Typographic Content Review: Urban Typography/Signage

In a similar method to the LED signs that can be seen anywhere, this fountain is set up to arrange a message by turning individual nozzles on and off as opposed to small bulbs. It's very interesting to watch, until you realize you really need to go to the bathroom.

 

Video taken from youtube

There's also this 'waterfall' version in Osaka station, which releases water in timed spurts. Among the messages, it also makes pictures and patterns.

 

Video taken from youtube

Legibility:

Considering the sign/fountain is fairly large, and the letters are fairly uniform, this sign is very easy to read, even from a distance. Lighting has also been installed for clear night viewing (since it's after 8 at the time the first film was taken).

Spelling and Punctuation:

Messages would need to be programmed into the fountain in advance, with the possible exception of the clock (once it's set, it keeps on ticking). This would depend on the person who entered the message, as would grammar. Sometimes message boards like this are maintained in shifts, by one or more people.

Context:

A creative, novelty sign. It's one thing to make one and ADD a waterfall, another to use the waterfall to make the sign.

Colors:

There really isn't any colour in this design, as the water is clear.