This project was super fun! 

Although it was a lot of work, the end result was very rewarding. My challenges here were two-fold: paper selection and limited knowlege on programs used: Photoshop, Processing, and Illustrator. 

Nevertheless, I learned a lot during the making of this book. For example, the paper I used was not very giving in the many folds required for the story. If I had had more time, I would have cut it in panels and hinged it, somehow, so it would open more easily in a predictive sequence. I learned that scoring this type of paper would not have been advisable as it was too porous to withstand any sharp cut. 

A lot of the comments I received was not knowing how to open the book properly. If I had to do it again, I would add small tabs at the edges to indicate flipping sequence.

The story depicted in this book was that of an unknown entity which appeared to be emitting some sort of message to an unsuspecting crowd. Few succumbed to its lethal content, but in the end, it was contained and further studied by the scientists. 

Front cover of book. 

Both the background pattern and band were designed using Illustrator; however, only the band was printed on a plotter. A touch of silver was also included to hint surprise ending.

Book fully opened. 

Here I employed some of the photoshop techniques to blend the quinoa seeds and pool water. I also used scale and overlap to show depth. Silver leaf was applied on orb for dramatic contrast.

This final scene depicts the resolution of the contagion. Due to its lethal message, it has been quarantined under the watchful eyes of the scientists (all wearing HazMat suits). 

Final Prints

The Surface of Things, inkjet prints composited from scanned textures in Photoshop, 12" x 6" each.

The inspiration for these two prints came from episode 5 of podcast wherein people are heard suffering of lung-related issues. 

In the first image, the infection is depicted from left-to-right: the contagion begins in a uniform pattern; progresses to a more chaotic/dense middle (peak of the infection); and finally, reaches healthy lung tissue.

In the second image, the spread of infection is depicted from top-to-bottom: the infected cilia (feathers) are seen oozing string-like pathoges (bands) into the healthy tissue underneath (marbles).

Same images scanned in JPEG format

Texture transition of top image: from left-to-right, sweater fabric, dish sponge, and bubble wrap plastic.

Texture transition of bottom image: from top-to-bottom, feather duster, rubber bands, and glass marbles.

Contagion; tiled pattern created in Illustrator

This tiled composition represents the contagion happening in episode 5 and 6 of Message podcast. The white hexagon represent the healthy persons who have not heard the message; the gray hexagons represent the ones who have heard the message (pending reaction); the speckled ones represent the infected/delirious people; and finally the solid black hexagons represent the ones who have succumbed to the pathogen. The small blurry circles represent invading spores.

Progression, loop pattern coded in Processing and printed on a plotter. 

The scene I tried to depict in this pattern, is when Robin (blue) confronted Nikki (golden) about her fake credentials. The black circles represent Mod coughing in the background, just before he went down.

Same image in JPEG format

Snapshot of created image. This image depicts the rhythmic sound of the heart monitor at the hospital.

This snippet of my sketch is the source of inspiration for my first project. The reason I chose this is because of its steady, rhythmic pattern (this represents the sound of the EKG machine at the hospital).

Sketch based on sounds heard during episode 4. It depicts voices, background noises (ie. hospital equipment sounds), and emotions/mood of persons engaged in conversation.

Notes taken from episode 3 of podcast. All sound activity seem to take place inside of small rooms; either break room and/or different personal offices.

(Before we began our first assignment, we were instructed to listen to the first four episodes of 'The Message' podcast. For episode 3, we were to make notes of sounds; and for episode 4, we were to sketch the sounds. Based on the outcomes of these exercises, we will begin to work on our first project, "Coded Rhythm".)