Module 2 Formstorming

Xinyu Lu

Project 2

Assignment 1

Put a description about your weekly exploration here.

This week, I worked with Mapbox to create custom maps using various features like Cartogram, 3D terrain, and color customization. I focused on building layers, hiding components, and adjusting perspectives.

I selected images like Sheridan College maps, the Oakville building map, and the world map with custom Earth colors. These images illustrate different aspects of map customization, such as showing terrain, urban areas, or emphasizing geographic elements.

Color choices greatly affected the maps. Dark tones created a night-time atmosphere for the Toronto map, while earthy colors in the outdoor seating map gave it a calm, natural feel. Adjusting Earth’s colors made the world map more modern and engaging.

I explored the lecture content by following Tutorial 1, using Cartogram, adjusting terrain, and hiding components. This helped me apply theory in practical ways, experimenting with layers and colors to enhance clarity and visual appeal.

<b>Outdoor Seating Area with Fall Foliage</b><br>I took this photo on Sheridan campus with my phone, showing an outdoor seating area surrounded by fall-colored trees. Originally, this area was meant for students to relax or study. It’s still used today as a peaceful spot to gather, enjoy nature, or have some quiet time.

<b>Quiet Corner with Concrete Bench</b><br>This photo, taken on Sheridan campus, features a quiet corner with a concrete bench and a red bush. The area was likely designed for rest and reflection, and today it remains a serene space for people to relax or enjoy a moment of calm.

<b>OAccessibility Ramp with Caution Sign</b><br>I captured this image of an accessibility ramp on Sheridan campus with my phone. The ramp was built to ensure easy access to the buildings, especially for those with mobility challenges. It continues to serve this purpose, particularly during wet conditions, as indicated by the ‘Slippery When Wet’ sign.

<b>Colorful Hallway with Foam Pillars</b><br>This photo shows a hallway at Sheridan campus, which I took with my phone. Initially designed as a simple passageway, it now features colorful foam pillars that add a playful touch to the space, making it more visually engaging for students.

<b>Outdoor Picnic Area with Benches</b><br>I took this photo on Sheridan campus, capturing an outdoor picnic area with benches. Originally created for students and staff to dine or study outdoors, it continues to serve the same purpose, providing a space for gathering, studying, or relaxing, especially on pleasant days.

<b>Collaborative Study Area with Circular Seating</b><br>I took this photo on Sheridan campus with my phone, capturing the collaborative study area. Originally designed for group work and discussion, this space with its circular seating continues to be used by students for both individual study and teamwork. The open layout and modern design encourage collaboration and focus.

<b>Indoor Ramp with Bright Beams</b><br>This photo, which I took on Sheridan campus, shows an indoor accessibility ramp. It was originally built to provide easy access between different floors of the building. Today, it remains an essential feature for ensuring all students, especially those with mobility needs, can move freely and safely.

<b>Colorful Lounge with Natural Light</b><br>I captured this lounge area on campus using my phone. Originally designed as a relaxing and study space, the colorful windows and abundant natural light make it a welcoming spot where students can work or take breaks. It’s still used today for informal study and relaxation.

<b>Rainbow Bridge Leading to Building</b><br>This photo of a rainbow-colored bridge on Sheridan campus was taken with my phone. The bridge, originally built to span a small water feature, now also represents inclusivity and diversity. It leads towards student facilities and is a vibrant reminder of the welcoming environment at Sheridan.

<b>Lighthouse at Oakville Lakeshore</b><br>I downloaded this image from Pexels, and it shows the lighthouse at the Oakville lakeshore. Originally, lighthouses like this one were used to guide ships safely to the shore, especially during storms or low visibility. Today, while it may still serve as a navigational aid, it has also become a scenic spot for visitors and photographers to enjoy the natural beauty of the lake.

<b>Toronto Downtown Neon Landmark</b><br>This second photo, which I downloaded from Pexels, captures the iconic neon 'TORONTO' sign in downtown Toronto. Initially installed for the Pan Am Games, the sign has since become a permanent attraction and a symbol of the city. It’s now a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists, serving as a backdrop for photos and events, particularly in the bustling Nathan Phillips Square.

<b>MCA Chicago Art Museum</b><br>I took this photo of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago with my phone. Originally built as a space to showcase modern and contemporary art, the museum still serves its purpose today, offering visitors a place to experience innovative exhibitions and engage with the creative works of both established and emerging artists

<b>Chicago Street View</b><br>This is a photo I captured with my phone of a street in Chicago, showing a view of the city’s tall buildings and a park area. Streets like these were originally designed for urban movement and transportation, and today they continue to serve as the lifelines of the city, providing spaces for commuting, walking, and connecting different parts of the urban landscape.

<b>Night Street View in Seoul, South Korea</b><br>This photo, which I took with my phone, shows a night scene on a street in Seoul, South Korea. Streets like this one were initially designed for local shops and businesses, and they still function as vibrant hubs of activity. At night, the street comes alive with lights, people, and traffic, maintaining its role as a key part of the city’s nightlife and culture.

<b>Miffy Café in Busan, South Korea</b><br>I took this photo with my phone at the Miffy Café in Busan, South Korea. Originally a themed café inspired by the Miffy character, it remains a popular spot for fans and tourists to visit, offering themed drinks, snacks, and merchandise in a fun and colorful setting that overlooks the city's scenic views.

<b>3D Terrain Map of Asia Using Mapbox</b><br>I created this map using Mapbox and applied the 3D terrain feature to highlight the elevation of mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and Mount Everest. The terrain exaggeration enhances the height, offering a clearer view of the region’s topography.

<b>Map of Sheridan College with Plant Icons Using Mapbox</b><br>I created this map using Mapbox, focusing on the layout of Sheridan College. I added plant icons to represent the greenery around the campus, giving the map a more detailed and visually informative design. The icons highlight the natural elements in and around the buildings.

<b>Map with Adjusted Perspective and Atmosphere Using Mapbox</b><br>I created this map using Mapbox, where I adjusted the perspective to show a more angled view of South America. Additionally, I applied the atmosphere feature, giving the map a more realistic sky effect. This view enhances the map's visual depth and overall realism.

<b>Map of Oakville with Building Layer Using Mapbox</b><br>I created this map using Mapbox, where I added a distinct building layer to highlight the structures in Oakville, Ontario. This feature enhances the 3D visualization of the cityscape, making it easier to identify and analyze the layout of buildings in the area.

<b>Map of Sheridan College with Hidden Road Network Using Mapbox</b><br>I created this map after watching Tutorial 1, where I used Mapbox to design the layout and applied the feature to hide the road network. By removing the visibility of roads, the map focuses more on the buildings and landscape of Sheridan College, offering a cleaner and simplified view of the campus.

<b>Custom Map with Lighthouse Image Using Cartogram </b><br>I created this map after watching Tutorial 1, using Cartogram to generate a custom color scheme based on the lighthouse image I uploaded. The map takes on the tones from the photo, giving the entire landscape a unique and cohesive appearance, inspired by the colors of the lighthouse and the surrounding sea.

<b>Custom Map with Toronto Neon Sign Image Using Cartogram</b><br>This map was made using Cartogram to apply a color scheme from an image of the Toronto neon sign. By importing the image, I generated a map with darker hues, reflecting the nighttime urban atmosphere captured in the photo. The map now carries the visual essence of Toronto’s downtown at night.

<b>Custom Map with Outdoor Seating Image Using Cartogram</b><br>For this map, I used Cartogram to create a color scheme based on an image of outdoor seating at Sheridan campus. The resulting map reflects earthy tones from the scene, such as greens and browns, giving the map a natural and park-like appearance that matches the relaxed outdoor setting in the photo.

<b>Map with Hidden Components Using Mapbox</b><br>After watching Tutorial 1, I created this map using Mapbox and applied the 'hide component' feature. By hiding most of the map icons, I was able to simplify the view, making it easier to focus on specific details of the map. This feature allows for a cleaner and more organized layout, enhancing clarity for better analysis.

<b>Map of the World with Custom Earth Colors Using Mapbox</b><br>In this map, I used Mapbox to adjust the color scheme of the Earth, specifically changing the colors of the oceans and landmasses. The subtle tones I applied create a unique and visually appealing representation of the world, enhancing the aesthetic while maintaining geographic clarity.

Assignment 2

Put a description about your weekly exploration here.

Process for Each Medium: In Mapbox, I made custom maps with colors and data layers. In Adobe Aero, I placed models like a duck and orange slices in real settings, like a bathtub and a plate. For laser cutting, I created a Halloween phone stand and cut it out at Sheridan. Each tool had its own steps, but all brought my designs into real spaces.

Medium to Continue With: I’m most interested in continuing with AR. Seeing my models come to life in real settings was exciting, and AR has many creative possibilities.

Location for Future Exploration: Next, I want to try placing AR models in outdoor areas, like parks or gardens. I’d also like to explore printing my Mapbox maps onto different materials.

Exploration of Lecture Content: I used ideas from the lecture by thinking about how people would interact with my designs. In AR, I imagined how users would see my models in real-life scenes. With the phone stand, I thought about how it would be used. This helped me understand the lecture’s focus on engaging design.

<b>Data Visualization with Cycling Routes</b><br>
This map screenshot focuses on visualizing cycling routes within Oakville using a dark background to emphasize path visibility. I uploaded a dataset and chose a visual style that distinguishes between visible and filtered-out features, making it easier to focus on critical route segments.

<b>Data-Driven Lines Map</b><br>
In this Mapbox Studio map, I used data-driven lines to show different routes. The map focuses on Oakville, Ontario, with layers that show existing and proposed paths. I adjusted the line thickness and color based on the data to make it easier to see each type of route. I followed Module 2 tutorial1 to set up the data-driven style.

<b>Single-Color Highlight for Encounter Density</b></br>
In this map view, I switched to a single-color palette, using bright pink circles to signify high encounter density. This approach creates a focused visual impact, highlighting the concentration of encounters within the specified area, which is effective for analyzing hotspot regions.

<b>Encounter Data with Color-Coded Palette</b><br>
This version of the map intensifies data visualization by adding more distinct colors for various encounter types. I used a six-value color palette to categorize sightings, approaches, and physical interactions, which helps in identifying areas with frequent occurrences across Oakville.

<b>Data-Driven Circles: Oakville Sighting Events</b><br>
This map applies data-driven circles to display sighting events in Oakville, using color variations to indicate different encounter types. By adjusting circle size and color, I enhanced visibility and differentiation of data points, making patterns in sightings more apparent.

<b>Guangzhou Road Network Outline</b><br>
This Mapbox Studio view is a black-and-white outline map of Guangzhou, highlighting road networks without additional color or detail. The simplified visual design showcases the complexity of the road layout while maintaining a minimalist style, suitable for further layering or thematic adjustments.

<b>Guangzhou Road Network Outline Print</b><br>
This is a black-and-white printed map of Guangzhou created in Mapbox, focusing on the city's road network. The map shows only the road lines, with no color or extra detail, giving it a clean, minimal look. I used this print style to highlight the structure and layout of the roads without distractions.

<b>Oakville Citizen Survey Data</b><br>
In this screenshot, I’m looking at Oakville’s 2019 citizen survey data on ArcGIS Open Data. It offers download options like CSV and Shapefile for flexible data use. The table shows responses on local priorities and planning across different areas. I used Module 2 tutorial1 to set up the data layout.

<b>Laser-Cut Phone Stand Design</b><br>
This is the AI design for a laser-cut phone stand. It features a Halloween theme with a cute ghost and the word HALLOWEEN below. This design will be printed onto the phone stand template using a laser cutter.

<b>Testing Final Design in Phone Stand Template</b><br>
Here, I’m testing one of my final designs by placing it in the phone stand template. The Halloween ghost design and an additional animal graphic are positioned to fit well within the stand layout.

<b>Placing Final Design in a New Template</b><br>
In this image, I've placed one of my final designs from tutorial 3 into a new template. This one includes floral shapes in a mirrored arrangement, aiming for a balanced look on the stand.

<b>Laser Cutting Process at Sheridan - Start</b><br>
This shows the beginning of the laser cutting process at Sheridan’s laser cut room. The Halloween ghost design is being engraved onto the wood for the phone stand.

<b>Laser Cutting Process at Sheridan - Detail</b><br>
Here, the laser cutter continues to carve out the design and outline of the phone stand. It’s carefully cutting the ghost and name, as well as the stand’s shape, into the wood.

<b>Front View of the Phone Stand</b><br>
This is the front view of the phone stand I made in the Sheridan laser cutting room. It has a Halloween theme with a cute ghost engraving and the word 'HALLOWEEN' underneath. The design is simple and fits well on the wood surface.

<b>Side View of the Phone Stand</b><br>
Here, you can see the phone stand from the side. The angled design allows the phone to rest comfortably, with the ghost image still visible from this perspective. The laser cut edges are smooth and precise.

<b>Back View of the Phone Stand</b><br>
This is the back view of my phone stand, showing the structure and support. The stand has a slot that securely holds the back piece, giving it stability to hold a phone.

<b>Unassembled Pieces of the Phone Stand</b><br>
In this image, the phone stand pieces are laid out before assembly. The engraved front piece and the supportive back piece are ready to be slotted together. This design makes it easy to assemble and disassemble when needed.

<b>Adding a Spin Trigger to the Model</b><br>
In this screenshot, I’m setting up a basic spin trigger for the bell pepper model in Adobe Aero. I adjusted the settings so that the model will start spinning when the scene begins. This simple action makes the model more dynamic and interactive.

<b>Learning to Add C4D Model in Aero</b><br>
In this image, I used an Adobe tutorial to learn how to place a C4D model into Adobe Aero. Following the steps from the official Adobe website, I managed to import this red bell pepper model smoothly.

<b>Adding Triggers to C4D Model in Aero</b><br>
In this project, I placed my Project 1 C4D model (a rubber duck) into Aero and added different triggers. For example, tapping the model hides it, and another trigger scales it up, adding fun interactions.

<b>Generating QR Code Link for Model</b><br>
This screenshot shows my completed Aero project with a QR code link generated for easy sharing. Scanning the code allows others to view the model and its interactions directly on their devices.

<b>Viewing the Model on My Dining Table with AR</b><br>
In this image, I used the AR QR code to place the bell pepper model in real life. I tried setting it on my dining table to see how it would look in an actual setting. The AR display makes the model appear as if it’s really sitting on the table.

<b>Duck in the Bathtub</b><br>
In this AR setup, I placed my Project 1 rubber duck model in the bathtub. The AR environment made it look like the duck was really floating in the water, fitting the bathroom setting perfectly.

<b>Orange Slices on the Plate</b><br>
Here, I imported my orange slice model into AR and placed it on a plate in the kitchen. It looks natural on the plate, just like real fruit ready to be served.

Spatial Workshop 1

I worked with Tzu Yu Hwa for this workshop.

Environmental Psychology best fits my exploration because each space influences how people feel and behave within it.

The spaces share a common goal of supporting student activities, with designs focused on comfort and functionality.

Each space has unique features: the dining area has colorful glass, the Learning Commons has open study tables, and the seating area near the stairs has cozy benches, each creating a different atmosphere.

Exploring these spaces shows how design choices affect mood and interaction. This inspires me to create a welcoming and functional experience in my final project using laser-cut and AR elements.

<ul>
<b>Dining area</b><br>
This space is a dining area at Sheridan College, located in A wing. It’s an indoor, permanent space made interesting by the colorful glass panels that bring in vibrant light. Students mainly use this area to relax, eat, and study in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

</ul>

<ul>
<b>Learning Common</b><br>
This space is the Learning Common at Sheridan College, located in S wing. It’s an indoor, permanent space designed with many tables and chairs to support group and individual study. The open layout and accessible resources make it ideal for students who want a quiet place to focus, collaborate, or access learning support.
</ul>

<ul>
<b>Seating Area</b><br>
This space is a seating area next to the staircase at Sheridan College, located in S wing. It’s an indoor, permanent spot with unique bench-style seating arranged in a cozy, social layout. Students often use this space to relax, wait between classes, or have informal discussions. The open design and bright colors make it a welcoming area for short breaks.
</ul>

Spatial Workshop 2

I worked with Tzu Yu Hwa for this workshop.

The other group had two members: Ya Wen and Qiyao.

The opposing group selected our design because they believed it created a welcoming and cozy atmosphere, with thoughtful touches like plants and comfortable seating. They felt these features would make the space more inviting, allowing students to relax, focus, and connect with others.

To further refine the design, it would be helpful to understand how students use the area at different times of the day—where they prefer to sit, how they move through the space, and what items they would find most valuable. Insights into students’ preferences for specific plants, types of lighting, or decor would allow us to tailor the environment more effectively to their needs.

If I were to redesign this space, I’d lean into the idea of coziness by adding more personal elements, like bookshelves, small lamps, and a community board for announcements and student artwork. These additions would give the space a homier feel, turning it into a “second home” on campus where students could feel more connected and comfortable.

<b>Learning Common manuscript</b><br>
I included this image to show my ideas for improving the study space. The image represents my vision of adding small plants, lamps, and hanging decor to make the area feel more inviting and comfortable for students. My main takeaway is that adding simple items can help create a better atmosphere for learning and focus.

<b>AR sofa in Learning Common </b><br>
I included this image to show how adding virtual furniture can change the study area. It represents a virtual sofa placed in the learning space using AR, imagining a more relaxed and comfortable area for students. My main takeaway is that AR can create new possibilities for how we think about and use shared spaces, adding flexibility and new functions without permanent changes.

<b>AR Christmas Tree in Learning Common </b><br>
I included this image to show a fun, seasonal decoration in the study area through AR. It represents a virtual Christmas tree placed in the space to bring a festive and cheerful vibe for the holiday season. My main takeaway is that AR can quickly transform the environment's mood and add a sense of celebration, making shared spaces more dynamic and engaging.

Project 2

Final Project 2 Design

Design statement: In this design, I wanted to create the feeling of looking at a map of Guangdong through a traditional window pattern. The top layer represents Guangdong’s classic window lattice, reflecting the city’s cultural heritage. The middle layer is a map of Guangdong, offering a broad view of the area. The bottom layer, which I painted, highlights a specific part of the city, adding color to mimic the effect of stained glass. By layering these elements, I aimed to blend tradition with a modern view of Guangdong, allowing viewers to see the city’s vibrant character through a cultural lens.

I selected laser cutting for my project because it allowed me to create intricate patterns and layers inspired by traditional Chinese "Manchurian windows." This option gave me the control to blend traditional cultural elements with modern design, making a piece that reflects both my heritage and creativity.

During the project, I drew from lecture content on spatial design and mapping. The lessons on cultural representation and using maps as visual storytelling inspired me to incorporate elements that represent Guangdong. This helped me think about how design can connect people to a place through visual symbols and materials.

This final piece goes beyond Assignments 1 and 2 by combining techniques and ideas learned previously into a cohesive, multi-layered artwork. Unlike the simpler forms explored in earlier assignments, this work includes layered colors and detailed patterns, capturing both cultural meaning and visual complexity. It’s a step forward in showing how design can convey deeper stories about place and identity.

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