Kaleidoscope Vision

 

An online publication about the design history and theory behind kaleidoscopes. This is a summary of an in depth investigation on the original development of the optical instrument. I interpreted the collected information into a narrative that explores how a science driven tool revolutionized the fine art principle of patterned reflection. The book begins with an origin story of inventor David Brewster, progresses to the present Adobe Suite tools, and ends with a speculation of future meditative uses of infinite patterns.

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Process.

 

Brief

  • Choose an artifact to investigate: the function, meaning, and significance in order to understand the relationship of design and culture through research of origin.

  • Examine the social, economic, political, and cultural contexts

  • Familiarity with post structuralist theory including how our perception of meaning and value of an object is affected by culture

  • Understand the function and implication (aesthetic and beyond) of a designed object in culture

Research Challenges

  • Adjust printed book deliverable to online ebook due to COVID-19 pandemic limiting resources

  • Find an artifact that I feel a connection with in order to be passionate about the subject and confident in its story.

  • Find reliable resources to source quality information on the invention, expansion, and impact of kaleidoscopes

  • Build a cohesive narrative that allows the reader to have a smooth progression through each stage of the investigation.

  • Create an indicative design system that showed influence of kaleidoscopes and expanded on its ability to play with text.

Execution

  • A 60 page ebook with 5 chapters: Introduction, History, Evolution, Impact, and Speculation

  • Manipulated photography produced by pour acrylic painting and After Effects mirroring

  • Type that communicates the circular form and reflective nature of kaleidoscopes

  • Bright color palette that marks chapter sections and abstractly illustrates the ROYGBIV principle of the law of reflection; simultaneously displaying radiant colors of kaleidoscope images

 

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