BARRY'S DIARY
As part of our 5 week Work Base Learning course we have to research and build a virtual exhibition space,
fill it with our own work created to fit a theme.
This is my daily diary blog, filling you in on the process, the highs, lows and general musings.
Friday 3rd May
Had our first team meeting with Chris and the rest of the team that will be working on the Virtual Curation project. After we have had the brief it is much clearer now on what we need to do. Discussed hours and discussed some themes, which we will look at further next week.
Sunday 5th May
Started to look at the process of 3D scanning using various procedures. Tried to keep it simple at first and downloaded a variety of the best 3D scanning apps for the iPhone.
This included Hegas (free but in app charge for some items and Ā£2.99 extra for detailed scanning), Qlone (free and looks the most interesting from the description), Capture (free, but .99p to upload the image to the dedicated website for further processing) and Patchy Scan 3d (free, but in app purchases are extra). Will. Be looking into these further over the next few weeks and see which one works best.
Tuesday 7th May
Our first day of working on the project (and my first day in work after 4 Ā½ years of being a stay at home dad) Was given a brief overview of second life and the basic commands and controls. Started to look at some of the other areas of the game that are available that fit into our brief art galleries and museums. I attempted to create a picture frame in the designated gallery space we were all allocated and also uploaded an image. We talked about the theme and it's looking likely that we will be going along the line of Fantasy. Lots of scope in this so we will be looking at this more over the next few days along with allocated individual roles that each of us will undertake during the 5 week project.
Wednesday 8th May
Today I have been looking at the types of buildings that are available for our Gallery.
Second life has a vast and well stocked market place, selling everything you could ever want and somethings you really donāt!
We are still very much in the planning stages so I collected together a few designs that we will be able to look
at as a team over the next few days.
Three designs looked the most promising but these are general designs and as a group we may choose to go for something more fitting of the overall theme so will do some additional searches.
I also continued to populate the gallery space we have each have been given to continue improving
my ITC skills.
I started by making a sculptured boat on a plinth, I added and changed some of the textures. I also included some particle affects as I wanted to create some spray under the front and back of the boat. It is difficult to see from a distance but as you get closer you can see it in more detail.
I also tried to create some wall art in the game itself. I thought it would be interesting to see if I can create some of the artwork within the game so needed to explore its limitations more. As a first attempt Iām happy with the castle affect but at this time Iām not sure that the program is going to be able to create the same effect as one created in the real world.
I also added a few more picture frames with a slightly different design to the original ones that I did as a contrast. Again this is also very much a learning process as I get use to Second Life.
Tomorrow I will look at finding contact for us at the Tate and the Lowry to see if this is something that they would be interested in either by helping us promote or at least visit our exhibition when launched. Ā It may be worth having something in place to show them how it will work and show them the benefits of having something virtual alongside something physical.
Thursday 9th May
Major research day today. I have been looking at areas of Second Life that have gallery spaces or have been set up as a gallery. I looked at two spaces today SoHo in Manhattan and Zās Art Gallery. Both had some really interesting features and design ideas that I have written about in a research document. I still need to do moreĀ on this and add a few more galleries to the mix as Iām sure there is more that I can uncover that will be help us with our final design. I have also started to have a quick look at the theme of Fantasy and how I will approach this for my gallery exhibits. We also allocated the jobs out to everyone so that we all know what we will be doing over the next few weeks alongside creating our artwork.
I will be doing research as well as helping with the creation of the marketing materials to promote the event.
The team have also set up our Facebook and Instagram accounts so we can start to get the message
out and about.Ā
We also decided on the hours for next week so will be in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and work from home on Thursday and Friday. We will catch up on a Monday going over what we have done the week before and set out expectations for the week ahead.
Friday 10th May
More Research..
Continued my research into art galleries with in second life. Found one called the Vordun.
This is an incredible Art Gallery and Museum with plenty of features that would work in our Art Gallery. The only drawback to this is the time we have to create all the art work and build in all the technology.
I also looked into the concept of fantasy and looked at the what it means to me. I think Iām going to look at the concept of local myths and legends and create some Lino Prints and sculptures based on this theme. I will do some more research into this over the weekend and try and
put some concepts together that I can start working on.
Will also incorporate a few poster and logo ideas into this to start looking at
how we can advertise and promote the event.
So how had the first week gone.. Really well I think, have enjoyed getting to know the team and learning how to use Second Life.
I really need to get stuck into it next week as I will be taking over the reins!
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So, jobs for me to do next week are:
Continue and complete the research into the art galleries
Make sure we buy the building
Look in researching entertainment for the event
Start work on my art work and research it
Complete my Personal Statement
Make sure we are happy with the direction we are going in
Sunday 12th May
Spent a few hours today looking into Myths and Legends of the UK and Ireland trying to find some inspiration for how Iām going to complete the brief for my portion of the art exhibition.
The UK has thousands of tales and stories that span generation from Ghost and Fairy Stories to tail of hidden treasure and King Arthur. From the research I have done today Iām going to concentrate on more local stories centred on North Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.
Still need to do some more work on choosing what I do but lino print and a possible a sculpture of some kind if time allows is the way I am going to go.
Monday 13th May
Today started with an overview of where everyone is at with their personal projects and whatās
needed next for the brief.
There are still a number of tasks to undertake including advertising and promotions so started to look at poster/flyer design. As we are all in the early stages of creating our work will look at designing a teaser poster that could be sent out with the press release towards the end of the week. Will create a proper poster,
if needed, nearer the date.
Team has been looking at alternative venues deigns as the one chosen may not be suitable for the theme as we thought. During research we have found some alternatives that are bright and airy.
It always feeling a little strange when you are put in a position to oversee a project (even for a short period) as you want to make sure you do your best and support the team as much as possible but also make sure that you have time to work on your own parts of the projects.
This is one of the areas Iām looking into improving so Iām hoping to be able to learn from this weekās exercise.
This is a very research heavy project and with us all being creatives we just want to get on with all the creative stuff, but I know that the research has to be done now so it makes it easier for us later. I will do my best to support the team as much as I can.
Iām still looking into local fairy tales and myths and am hoping to finish this in the next couple of days
so I can start creating.
So Jobs for the week:
Support the team as much as I can
Finish researching local myths
Come up with a plan and art work for this
Look at producing a poster/teaser to go with the press release
Lots of stuff I canāt think of at the momentā¦
Tuesday 14th May
Bit of a strange day to day. Had to work from home for childcare reasons so wasnāt able to be in Uni with everyone else. Also, Second Life was having issues so decision was made early that the team would work on their own projects either at home or in Uni and we would catch up tomorrow and see where we are at.
Was a bit of a fractured day with me juggling childcare and work to make sure I do my hours for the day. As I am researching Welsh folk tales, I read some of these out load like and impromptu story time. This helped me read the stores for inspiration and entertain my daughter. So, I overcome one problem, although not idea, it was the best solution I could come up with.
I started to look into 3d scanning and weather an item can be physically made in the real world, scanned into a virtual environment and then allow the end user to purchase the item and using the file provided print out the sculpture using a 3d printer.
I didnāt get as much done as I would have liked today, I wanted to use the facilities in university and complete my 3d study, but I still managed to get some of the jobs crossed of.
on a personal note I hope tomorrow is a better day.
Also, today we have looked at naming the show and created a poster/Flyer to promote the show.
I hope tomorrow is a better day
Wednesday 15th May
More research today still looking for the building as the one we originally like just isnāt going to work. We have all been inspired by the Vordon Museum and Art Galley so have been looking for something that has a similar look and feel. Also continued with research into 3d which I need gather all together and write up.
Also looked for some benches for the gallery and outside space.
Still struggling with my plan for the art work Iām going to do, so need to concentrate on that for that over the weekend.
Thursday 16th May
Finished my personal statement today for the website. Once they are all done, we can then get the
invitations out for our event.
Also did more research into 3d and found some interesting information on how to get 3d models into second life just need to see if this is possible for scanned items.
Also read more and research the locations for some of the Myth and Legends I am looking to turning into lino prints. Just got to try and get this sorted or will struggle later on.
Friday 17th May
Creative day of sketching and drawing. Practicing some designs and trying to see what I can come up with. The last few days have been a bit tough so have been trying to do something creative to get my mind back to the Visual Creation side and make stuff for the show.
Monday 20th May
Have been looking into getting a 3d model into second life today.
First, I thought I would try to see what was possible with files that had already created by someone else. This is purely to see if it works before spending time scanning and creating something myself. If I know it works, then I can try it with something I have created.
ā
I took a simple STL. file from Thingiverse and converted it to a DAE. file.
I did this using an online conversion tool and by using a copy of the free Blender software.
Both worked and converted the file, but there was an error when uploading it and one of the measurements was not registering so would not allow me to complete the upload.
ā
I then decided, using Blender to build a simple 3d sculpture using the build function within the program. Once this was completed, I uploaded it to Second Life the upload was ok apart from discovering that I do not have permissions to upload models to the site.
Once this is rectified, I should be able to upload a sculpture.
ā
Itās good to know that files can be converted from one format to another so this should open the way for us to upload 3d files. Adding a link enabling people to buy the item as an STL file would then allow them to print it out as a physical sculpture to display in there own home.
I also continued my research into 3d scanning apps and machines and will try to scan something using the apps over the next few days.
Tuesday 21st May
I have been looking more closely into how we can create a physical show guide using the Blurb website.
It looks like we will be able to create a nice exhibition magazine containing out artwork from the show and also a description of each piece.
Although the magazine will turn up after the event it will be a nice piece of work for our portfolios for the future.
We also discussed a few more ideas for the show and continued our research.
Wednesday 22nd May
Continued with my work for the exhibition and finished the designs for two of the lino prints.
Iām still a little unsure if I am taking the ideas in the right direction and I really thing that I may have to come up with something that I can complete on time. I really like lino printing but I think that time will be against me to complete six for the show and of a high standard.
I will have another look into this over the next few days and see. Today we also had our picture taken for the university website which will hopefully go up soon and increase the attendance to the show.
Thursday 23rd May
I had a rethink on what I can come up with for the show. Did some more research and reading and think that having a story or narrative to bring the pictures together would be better that just doing random designs.
I will continue to look at this over the next few days and hopefully have something in place by Tuesday.
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I also practice with the Blurb interface to see how it would look. We need to reduce the text down but I think it will look good once it is done.
Friday 24th May
I have had a Eureka moment! As one of the skills I wanted to improve on during this process was ICT skills, especially Adobe Creative Cloud, I will take some photos of one of the characters that I have created out of polymer clay and age the photos making them look Victorian. Iām going for a Cottingley Fairies look and feel and will create a story around it that fits into the myths and legends narrative that I wanted at the beginning.
I have started to play around with some photo manipulation to see how I can age the photos and add some age and depth to the story.
Sunday 26th May
Today I have been working on my artwork for the show.
After coming up with a suitable narrative that I am happy with I am using the images that took in Anglesey as a starting point.
I have been following tutorials and YouTube videos to find a look and style that I like for the photos and also working on the story. I want to add a bit of mystery to it, so have decided that the pictures have been found in an old writing chest of a distant relative. He is believed to have gone mad, but others think he went missing after finding a doorway to another realm.
I need to complete another couple of pictures which I will look at doing tomorrow.
Monday 27th May
More image manipulations to try and finish my artwork off with the show. I am starting to get more out of photoshop, as this was an area that I was not so sure off before I started.
Also had a looked at the blurb website and template to see how the magazine would look.
Tuesday 28th May
Finished my artwork and uploaded it to the one-drive. Also continued to work on the basic layout for the magazine.
Wednesday 29th May
Continued the work on the layout for the magazine I also took a more in depth look at the way we could incorporate 3d models into the game of Second life. I think on this occasion we do not have the technology to be able to do it so we will do our best to create the items within Second Life where we can.
Thursday 30th May
Continue with the magazine layout and updating my personal journal. I will use this after the WBL finished and will be a great reminder to me ow what I have learnt over the 5 weeks
Friday 31th May
Have finished the initial layout for the magazine just need to wait for the final images to be confirmed and I will be able to get this finished and signed off.
Sunday 1st June
Continue with my personal journal and continued to build a few structures in Second Life that will help me this week when we have to start curation of the 3rdyears show into second life.
Monday 2nd May
Started to work on curating the 3rdyear show. We started in the foyer and tried to complete as much as we could. I built one of the structures within the foyer and upload a couple of images to Second Life and altered them accordingly. Although they are not a perfect representation it was a good start. I think in the future if we had digital version of all the printed artwork, we would be able to upload them easier and there would be less need to alter them to fit. For the statues and sculptures the use of a hand held scanner would help greatly in speeding up the process and getting a better-quality representation.
Tuesday 3rd May
Been a long day today but very rewarding. I have started and finish the virtual curation of room 017 at the Kingsway. Although there is a lot left to do, I am happy that one of the rooms is complete. It was a bare shell this morning, so I had to build the temporary walls that have been constructed in the real room and photograph all the artwork.
This was all uploaded and then placed onto the new walls within the game to mirror the ones in the real world.
I was really happy with the results and had to use a few tricks to make areas look similar.
I also finished the final layout of the magazine so just need signed off on this tomorrow and the we can get it printed.