Art Rotterdam 2011

"Where the cutting edge between art and design becomes evident."

I know, another article notwithstanding of Photoshop and Autodesk. I also know that this event, apparently, has already happened. However, interior design does inspire my 3D work. This event is essentially the official side fair of Art Rotterdam, and the international fair for autonomous design. Occuring in the Las Palmas opposite the Art Rotterdam, this event was the first fair in the world, apparently, that focused exclusively on the most current developments of the autonomous world. The participants included Victor Hunt (Belgium), FAT Galerie (France), HELMINDERKNECHT (Germany), Mitterrand + Cramer (Switzerland), Atelier Barbara Broekman, Carla Koch, Eewal, Galerie Marzee, Judy Straten, Louise Smit, Particles Gallery, Priveelollektie, Ra, Rob Koudijs, SI Module | Sandberg Institute Applied Arts, Terra Delft, Thomas Eyck, Vivid Gallery, ZAND Galerie, and Zuiderzeemuseum (Netherlands). These designers are all very solid and creative with there fixtures and sets.

The events within this fair included a live performance from DE PLAYER, "Sound as a Weapon". DE PLAYER is essentially a performance art group that strays the line between experimental music, and visual art. 


Another event was Het Wilde Weten. It is a well known artists' space in Rotterdam. It houses 17 artists and a guest artist. The project space is a public platform for contemporary (my favorite) art, cultural discussions and debate. After last year's success, they will do the second edition of the WildBookMarket, and that is where artists and publishing companies from Rotterdam and around the world can meet and represent their most unique books. Artists from Het Wilde Weten include: Aaike Stuart, Anouk Griffoen, Boris Van Hoof, Dieuwertje Komen, Dirk van Lieshout, Elian Somers, Esther Kokmeijer, Jeroen Bosch, Jan Adriaans, Jetske de Boer, Kim Bouvy, Kim Zieschang, Marcha van den Hurk, Mariëlle Buitendijk, Marijke Appelman, Melle Smets and Sannetje van Haarst.

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Recent Graphic Design Activity (sorry guys)

Mind Bending Time with TimeFX for the IPhone and IPad
Autodesk™ has released a free app for the Iphone and Ipad on the Apple Store, TimeFX. According to the article I have read, what makes this time app different from the many others in the market, is the fact that Autodesk™ is using some fluid dynamics used in programs like Maya that create some pretty cool aesthetics.

LightWave™ Artists Win Visual Effects Society 2011 Award for "Caprica"
(San Antonio – February 14, 2011) NewTek, a worldwide leader of 3D animation and video products, applauds the 2011 Visual Effects Society (VES) award-winners and nominees that count on NewTek LightWave™ to deliver groundbreaking visual effects tools for broadcast and film.

The LightWave 3D® VES 2011 award-winners and nominees are:

Winner: Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series
"Caprica"
Airing on the Syfy Channel, "Caprica" is a science fiction family saga that takes place 58 years before "Battlestar Galactica," and follows two rival families as they grow, compete, and thrive in a society similar to our own. Entangled in the technology of artificial intelligence and robotics that will eventually lead to the creation of the Cylons, the two houses go toe-to-toe, blending action with corporate conspiracy.



Michael Gibson, VFX Producer
Gary Hutzel, VFX Supervisor
Davey Morton, VFX Artist
Jesse Toves, CGI Artist

Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program
"Undercovers"
From acclaimed writer/producer/director, J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek," "Fringe," "Lost," "Alias") and executive producer/writer, Josh Reims ("Brothers and Sisters," "What About Brian") this sexy, fun, action-packed spy drama proves once and for all that marriage is still the world's most dangerous partnership.
    
Jay Worth, VFX Producer / Supervisor
Andrew Waisler, VFX Supervisor
Ron Thornton, VFX Supervisor
Andrew Kramer, Digital Artist

About The Visual Effects Society (VES)The Visual Effects Society (VES) is the entertainment industry's only organization representing the full breadth of visual effects practitioners including artists, technologists, model makers, educators, studio leaders, supervisors, PR/marketing specialists and producers in all areas of entertainment from film, television and commercials, to music videos and games. Comprised of a diverse group of more than 2,200 members in 20 countries, the VES strives to enrich and educate its own members and members of the entertainment community at large, through a multitude of domestic and international events, screenings and programs.

About LightWave 
NewTek LightWave 3D® combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools. LightWave 10 is designed to support the creative process, providing the artist with the ability to interact in real time with 3D content, to work seamlessly with the full range of software applications in production pipelines and to render on unlimited render nodes. LightWave is enjoyed worldwide, as a complete 3D production solution for visual effects in film, television, broadcast graphics, print, games, visualization, and the Web, and is responsible for more artists winning Emmy® Awards than any other 3D application.

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What Inspired You To Design?

A cute question to ask yourself today. Why do I love working with shapes, colors, and renders? Most Graphic Designers that I've had the privilege of working with have told me that design is something that they would do for free. The most recent designer I have personally heard this from was Colin Hesterly, a fellow graduate, and overall fantastic Graphic Designer. Now, normally his aesthetics are reminiscent of the 50's and 60's, as a matter of fact, his buddies also had a liking for that style. Looking at that, I instantly believed it. He genuinely took something that he loved (50's movies) and mixed it with his skills of motion graphics. That's what drives him. (I'd think)


I started off as a fine artist. As a kid, One of my favorite places to hang out was the Orlando Museum of Art.  I also visited the art festivals around Orlando, Florida, like ones held at Downtown Disney. They held panels from around the globe, and I was always wondering about what made someone look at something. I ended up painting some of my own pieces, acquiring a taste for ink and wash painting. Quite funny, in College, I have learned that the fundamental difference between fine art and graphic design was that in graphic design, it was mandatory to have a point. It was no longer about displaying what you felt 100% of the time, you actually had to think. It initially scared me, I'll be honest, but whenever I had a client, I would take some of the art elements I have learned (rule of thirds, color) and mixed it with my new found love for illustrations and photography.


Speaking of vector illustrations, that was the gateway form of graphic design that won me over to going to school. I remember looking at designers in the web, like Poked Studio. The simple shapes that somehow exuberated character. The textures within assets, somehow blending well with these flat colors. I wanted to learn that. So, I bought CS2 before college, and made banners for people in Photoshop. Silly me. When I learned the benefits of Illustrator in college, I wanted to hit myself. "The imagery is infinitely scalable??" I thought. I also didn't like the pen tool, a tool that many Graphic Designers need to complete their compositions. Now, I can't work past the bezier handles, haha. Scary enough, now I work on vector illustrations, motion graphics, photography, and 3D more than I do digital painting, a natural transition for a fine artist.


I will show the first Graphic Designers that influenced me to look into their portfolio, and in turn, go to school, and look for a career of my own.

Poked Studio

Gary Fernandez

Nick La

Erickson Enrique

So what inspires you to lose sleep and hygiene for this great occupation? Leave me a comment!

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