blog post 3: The Acropolis at Athens vs. Xianyang Palace

Space was utilized differently in the Acropolis and Xianyang.  

  

The Acropolis was built with an intentional route for visitors to take upon entering, designed in a way that seems to focus attention to the temples primarily.

The Xianyang was built to protect the emperor and also seem to empowering the ruler and attracting followers.

The buildings at the two cities also utilized site, which is apparent in their forms and materials. The Acropolis, built on a hill, employs grandeurs vertical columns and horizontal layers that emphasize the effect of its placement on the landscape. The Palace at Xianyang was built in accordance with its geographic location, using the hills to create the appearance of levels and height. 

In Greece, the temples were erected in monument of the Gods; in Xianyang Palace it was built to protect the emperor. At both site it was created to honor a higher power.

The setting also play a big role, the Acropolis was predominately stone, while the Xianyang Palace had a wider variety including wood. The surfaces structures in the Acropolis used minimal paint and ornate carving and sculpture, but the Palace boasted colorful murals and extravagant bronze items.

Read Response 2

Blog post II circles+groves+stacks

 in class we learned  about  the simple element such as circles, groves and stack but with repetition leads to principles of  balance,  proportion,contrast, emphasis, unity and harmony, we then venture out to observe architecture around campus in order to locate objects, spaces, buildings, and places in the shapes of circles, groves and stacks.

  

Bryan 

The Bryan building (school of business and economics) has windows that are group in rows and column, like excel program. the building appear to be stacking, which combine elegance and technological innovation with a user-friendly look. It seem "floating" that functions as an ideal place for business and economic success.  The stacks are accommodated appropriately as component of a business world. 

EUC-Front Entrance

this bundle of columns here taken by the front entrance of EUC, relating to groves and human forms. this place is commonly use by all students entering campus, it is a place to gather, or simply a place to meet up and have lunch.  

in the EUC

 The circle is considered a symbol of unity, the location of this building as it is the main part of the campus contributed to students and faculty a sense of unity/ community. the influence of environment can lead to ritual. 

Catalhoyuk a Reading Response

This is my first Reading Response post for IAR 221. i choose this particular ancient ground to do my response because it is very interesting and mysterious. 

pictures source: http://www.catalhoyuk.com/

intro into IAR my favorite object

What I am holding is my favorite Xbox 360 wireless controller; this is a really good design due to its unique twisting directional-pad; slick black color scheme; new concave analog sticks. Controller designer have to adapt to gamers to win their favor. The problem with the older generation Xbox 360 controller's D-pad is that there is too much give in the plastic piece that sits on top. Also, the circular cutout is not always lined up perfectly to fit inside the controller's casing, so the edges can hit the controller, too. Long story short, the defects in design lead to accidental directional commands and ultimately frustrated gamers.

When designing we must keep in mind the important functions of the object and it users. Overall the design of this object is excellent, it's wireless versus having a cord that get in the way. On the back there is a rechargeable battery attach. The contours of the controller fit perfectly in my hand, and it's very comforting to sit down and play a good game after an exhausting day.  I like this design style, because it's very comfortable, beautiful, symmetrical and sleek in form. It is a well design object. 

Culturally this object represents the demand for well round design and functioning lead to innovation, and advance to make technology better for society. It symbolizes the pursuit of perfection in technology to continually become better and more convenient.

Sub-culturally, this object could represent the practices of a relentless multi-billion dollar marketing machine that now sells kids violent video games. The bad influences of gaming have on children and its impact on the health and well-being of kids.