Where Wildflowers Bloom

This blog is intended to showcase even the simplest of planning efforts in design as well as my calculations for the Environmental Data Poster. Things always evolve throughout the design and creation process, but it ensured that I had a direction I was aiming towards. Planning in scribbles that take the ideas out of my head and into a vision to follow I know I wanted some woodland planting, some animals and reference to the mounds! A1 is a big piece of paper. Crafting a poster demanded a delicate balance between presenting engaging content for a diverse audience while delving into the complexities of environmental data. To strike this balance, I carefully selected information that would resonate with a wide readership, focusing on delivering the final figures that were both compelling and comprehensible - rather than the workings. Biomass: Using an online biomass calculator, I determined the biomass of each tree based on its type, size via height and the conversion of girth to diameter...

As we approach the final presentation of our design proposals later this week, I'm excited to share some of the sketches created for our visual presentation boards. It's important to note that EVERYTHING seems to take at least double the anticipated time, reminding me to start promptly! Coloring and sketching under a tight deadline are considerably less enjoyable than when done as a relaxing pastime— trust me! Nonetheless, I'm pleased with the outcome, albeit acknowledging the painstaking frustration along the way.  External classroom in productive grow area, suitable for school visits. The timber seating has integrated plant beds, constructed from reclaimed sleepers. A green house provides space for propagation and year round production.   The 'Heart' or central meeting space, with direct routes from all access points. A timber pergola offers shade and support for ornamental climbers and the central circle is etched with cardinal signs.  A contemplative rock gar...

The above image is a digital collage capturing the essence of Alney Island, Gloucester. This composition was created prior to visiting the site, drawing from information and insights gathered through desktop research.  My primary focus in this artwork is the element of water. As the land between two branches of the Severn River, Alney Island is a place intimately bound by water. It also serves as a vital flood zone for the city and shares its borders with the docklands. Water plays a pivotal role in the island's history and sustains the flora and fauna that reside there. The collage's foundation consists of a blend of images depicting floodplains, alluvial meadows, and native grasslands. These layers are interwoven with visuals of the docklands and meadow flowers, all meticulously crafted to emphasise the interplay of reflections and ripples on the surface of the water (River Severn). While the image may hint at a surfer in the docks, it rather playfully pays tribute to the ann...

I have been neglecting sketch practise due to a lack of confidence and ability. But this week I went back to the basics, familiarising myself with hatching, line weights and the concept of light and shadow on 3D forms.  I am starting to realise that sketching is easy (she says), if broken down and strategic. Loose, playful scribbles can amount to an affective representation - and most importantly,  it doesn't have to be perfect!! In fact, the imperfection and variety of strokes is what can successfully communicate the appearance of organic forms.  So much can be expressed with hatch strokes and it is interesting to identify and understand the differences between combinations. 

A quick sketch task, two minutes for each frame. Despite the messy scribbles, I was excited to do this!  I certainly need the practise and the only way to get better is to do.. watch this space for weekly, quick sketches and hopeful improvement! 👍

The power of lines! Building on a squiggle with black ink to explore flow, movement and depth.

  I used this opportunity to practise with alcohol markers, which I haven't caught the hang of yet! To me the sketch is messy and the colours are off but it explores a busy planting composition that provides colour and a contrasting variety of form that respresent expression and life. The rattan furnature contributes organic form and biomaterials while the spontaneous ground plants symbolise acceptance of all life for their contribution to our ecosystem.