Unit+4+-Representaion

=**REPRESENTATION (2D) - Drawing**=

Representation is the //**re**-//presenting of ideas and concepts that spring from the mind of the designer or architect. Representation in architecture is the majority of the work that architects do. Architects generally do not build the buildings they design. Thus, they must be able to communicate their ideas in the form of text, images and forms, to their clients and to those who will bring the project to fulfillment. The ability to represent complex ideas, in different ways, from gestural freehand sketches (brainstorming) to finished measured drawings, and is an essential skill for an architect.

Here is a diagram of the basic forms of representation commonly used by architects and designers.

== Image from: Architectural Drawing Course: Tools and Techniques for 2d and 3d Representation. – Mo Zell

DRAWING

“ Drawing as an artifact is a two-dimensional representation used by architects. It is a form of visual communication, based on a common, agreed-upon visual language that conveys ideas, depicts existing conditions and creates as-of-yet unbuilt environments. Drawing transposes three-dimensional images both real and imagined, onto two-dimensional surfaces.”

Mo Zell - //Architectural Drawing Course//

There are many ways to approach drawing. What approach you use depends on the intended purpose of the drawing. Two basic techniques are: **Contour** drawing and **Gesture** drawing. We will start by learning these basic techniques. It takes time to learn how to draw well, and the best way to get better is to practice a lot! Everyone can learn these techniques! Do not worry if your drawings are not “great art”. In architecture, drawings are a means to an end - what is important is that they clearly convey our ideas to others.

//**Architects need to learn how to draw from observation (what you actually see) and they need to draw what is in their imagination. These techniques will help you to do both**//

=**Contour and Gesture Drawing**=

Contour drawing is a technique used to get you to draw what you see, not what you think you see.


 * Objectives**
 * Introduce the techniques of contour drawing.**
 * Use contour drawing as a means of communicating important information.**
 * Emphasize the importance of observational drawing as a means of gathering research.**


 * Content to be explored**

Blind contour drawing Modified contour drawing Gesture drawing

Click on this link to read about contour drawing. Watch the prezi and the videos: Take notes in your e-portfolio []
 * ACTIVITY 1- EXPLORING CONTOUR DRAWING**


 * ACTIVITY 2 -** **INTRODUCTION TO CONTOUR DRAWING**
 * Make blind contour drawing "blinders" out of box board**


 * Step -1**
 * 1) make a 6"x6' square out of boxboard (teacher demo)
 * 2) locate the center of the square and create a small hole for your pencil
 * 3) use your blinder for the following activity

Click on this link, watch the tutorial, IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK practice the technique and take the quiz. SCAN AND POST ONE PAGE OF DRAWINGS TO YOUR E-PORTFOLIO
 * Step - 2**

[]


 * ACTIVITY 3 -** **MORE** **BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING**

DRAW: 5 small objects that you can easily find in the classroom – 5 minutes for each each drawing SCAN AND POST ONE PAGE OF DRAWINGS TO YOUR E-PORTFOLIO
 * STEP -1**
 * In your sketchbook: **

Contour drawing is approached the same way as Blind contour drawing except you can occasionally look at your paper. The trick is to switch back and forth. Like Blind Contour drawing your pencil should not leave the paper. The drawing should be done as one long, slow and continuous line.
 * ACTIVITY 4 - ** ** MODIFIED ** ** CONTOUR DRAWING **

DRAW: 10 contour drawings of buildings or parts of buildings on the BBA campus (each drawing should take between 5 and 10 minutes). ** Vary your point of view and the scale of your drawings (i.e. try zooming in for some detailed drawings and out to capture a larger section of a building. ** Make a few drawings in a single page. Its ok if they overlap each other. SCAN AND POST YOUR BEST PAGE OF DRAWINGS TO YOUR E-PORTFOLIO
 * STEP -1**
 * In sketchbook: **


 * ACTIVITY 5 -GESTURE DRAWING **





As with contour drawing, the goal of gesture drawing is to draw what you actually see, as opposed to what you think you see, but in terms of the approach gesture drawing is the exact opposite of contour drawing. With gesture drawing the goal is to capture the objects essential form, through a quick drawing that expresses movement and energy.Gesture drawing is particularly useful in the beginning phases of the design process when you are brainstorming ideas ( ideating).

Gesture drawing is often associated with figure drawing, but inanimate objects can also be drawn using this technique.

Watch this video and power point as an introduction to gesture drawing Gesture Drawing -1 Gesture drawing slideshow
 * STEP -1**

Gesture drawing demonstration and practice ( Teacher lead)
 * STEP -2**

Gesture drawing practice -slideshow Gesture Drawing assignment in your sketchbook (TBA)
 * STEP -3**


 * ACTIVITY 6 -GESTURE DRAWING for ARCHITECTS**

Watch the video Imagining architecture.
 * STEP-1 **

**STEP -2** Take a single piece of plain printer paper and crumple it up in your hands. Let it unfold, (you can gently open it up slightly with your hands). **STEP -3** Each drawing should be from a different point of view. Turn your model around to get a different angle. Following the example in the video, take some of the yellow tracing paper and lay it over your favorite gesture drawing. Explore how your crumpled paper drawing could become architecture. Use as many overlays as needed to refine your idea. Keep your crumpled paper "model" in front of you for reference. Post an image of your crumpled paper model, original drawing and any overlays in your e-portfolio.
 * In your sketchbook:** Use a soft graphite pencil to make at least three different quick gesture drawings of your crumpled paper.
 * STEP-4**
 * STEP-5**


 * PROJECT - THE PEPPER PROJECT (FOR AN ALIEN) **



You will need: One green pepper or apple (bring your own from home in a small plastic bag). Your drawing pencils Your **contour** drawing skills

Your challenge is to completely describe all of the physical qualities of the pepper (or apple) – its structure **- i**** nside and outside **, shape and ** actual ** size ** , ** (we will leave out color for now) to a alien being. This alien being, who has never seen a pepper, has no conception of what a pepper is or what it is for. You must use only drawings, no text is allowed (an alien wouldn’t understand it anyhow). Consider how by showing different views you might fully describe this object. You can only achieve this by drawing what you actually see. Use the contour drawing techniques that you have practiced in the previous activities. Do not draw from memory, or what you think a pepper looks like. Scan and upload your drawing(s) to your e-portfolio for transmission to the alien’s planet. Use your sketchbook and your drawing pencils for this project.

Criteria: Use the modified contour drawing technique make multiple drawings of the object from different points of view drawings should be large and show lots of detail.


 * ASSESSMENT:** ** Make sure you have ALL of the activities and the project uploaded and properly labeled to your e-portfolio. Activities are scored on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) and in total will count for 40% of your total grade for the unit. **
 * The project is scored on a 1-10 scale as well and will count for 60% of your total grade for the unit. **

** If you are sure that you have completed all of the items listed below click " turn it in" on the navigation menu on the left hand side of the page to submit your work **

 * Activity 1 - Exploring contour drawing **
 * Activity 2- Intro to contour drawing - 1 blind contour drawing **
 * Activity 3 - More Blind contour drawing - 5 blind contour drawings of small objects **
 * Activity 4- More Contour drawing - 10 modified contour drawings around campus **
 * Activity 5- Gesture drawing**
 * Activity 6- Gesture drawing for Architects**


 * Project The Pepper Challenge **

=When you have completed this unit and turned it in, continue to the next unit.=