Studio V: Final Assessment

Wow—Did this semester fly by or what? One thing I learned this semester was that its crucial to have good time management skills. This can be a tough one especially for us creative "types".

In addition, these projects have proven to me that you have to plan, plan, plan it out! Sketching is like planting a seed. As you progress through your ideas on paper, at the end you'll have something that makes sense. Hopefully, it turns out to be a beautiful "flower". 

I also realized how important it is to work in a team environment. Rarely, if ever, do you work solo in a corporate environment. So the idea of "playing well with others" is another important skill to have. It's all about democracy!

UrbanGlass Packaging, Shopping Bag & Icon Sketches

Packaging box ideas shown are for single item purchases as well as multiple sets of glassware. Shopping bag, artist cards, and glassblowing tool and process icons are represented.

And here are the final icon and logos stickers finished in Adobe Illustrator CS5. Take a peak and let me know what ya think!

All designs/sketches are ™ & © 2010 Tom Genese

A Perpetual Calender for your fridge!

This project was real fun once I figured out what to do… I'm glad a craft store like Michaels exists because otherwise this would not have come out that great! Button magnets and Scrabble-like wood pieces . You'll be able to see the finished calendar in person at my portfolio review at the end of the year.

These are my beginning ideas on paper…

And here you can see how my idea develops… (note where I crossed out ideas that were not working.)

And my finished Refrigerator Perpetual Calendar!

Urban Glass Vs. glassworks…

The only real competition of Urban Glass seems to be a retail shop called glassworks of  Pittsburg, PA. Since they do not make the products they sell, they seem to be lacking the arty Co-op feel of Urban glass.

This high end shop offers glassware by famous designers from all over the World. Some include Annie Glass, Royal Doulton, Swarovski. There is no mention that any of the glassware they sell is made on-site.

Glassworks' website site features the numerous product lines they sell by each individual designer/design house that they carry. In addition they offer a Bridal Registry, Corporate Gifts including Awards and Trophies, as well as Baby Gifts. To give you an idea of the kind of glassware they sell here's a sampling of just how expensive the products they sell are:

A 4 and a half inch Sea Turtle goes for $405.00…

One Round Ruffle Tray will set you back $88.00…

A teeny tiny Salad Plate is priced at $63.00…

A pair of Candlesticks will drain your finances of $380.00…

The Annie Glass Ruffle Cake Stand is priced at a whopping $270.00…

and one lone Ruffle Wine Coaster will give you some definite sticker shock at $71.00!!!

While your at the shop or the website make sure to check out the the naughty little lingerie shop called "Cheeks"…

In addition, the MoMa Store, the Museum of Art & Design, and The Shop at Cooper-Hewett all offer some kind of upscale glassware on their sites.

Influencing Illustrators…

Right now, Paul Pope is redesigning his website but DKNY Jean's current promotional campaign features this immensely talented comic artist.

Moving right along… Historic Walking Tour Map of Bridgeport's South End

I'm getting ready to finish up our Map Project this week… All of my issues with typesetting the "directions" and fitting all of the location pictures are completed… I've also decided to do away with the magazine spread on the reverse side of the my Illustrator Map and replace it with one big illustration featuring some characters. Here's my initial sketch—

"Gathering of the Vibes" Sketch #1

Last Monday was the final deadline for our "Historic Walking Tour of the South End". Here's my second sketch for illustration of the concert crowd at the Vibes show which take place at Seaside Park every Summer…

"Gathering of the Vibes" Sketch #2

Project: Walking Tour of Bridgeport's South End

Questions for Eric Lehman:

1. Was the Warner Brothers Factory built by the same Warner Brothers as in Warner Brother's Records?
2. What the heck is a Locomobile?
3. What year did the Remington Factory close it's doors? And why doesn't the city of Bridgeport knock this, and other decaying buildings, down?
4. Is the public still allowed access to Pleasure Beach? What is there?
5. Are the statues of P.T. Barnum and Elias Howe ever going to get a makeover?
6. Has the Blackrock Lighthouse been renovated? Or is it slowly rotting away?
7. Why was Barnum's daughter's house saved and transformed into Waldermere Hall?
8. What happened to Barnum's  Marina Mansion?

Statue of Elias Howe

Statue of P.T. Barnum

 Warner Brothers Factory circa 1876

Former Locomobile Factory site

Former Remington Factory Building

Pleasure Beach?

Fones School of Dental Hygiene

Harvey Hubbel Gymnasium

Perry Arch circa 1918

Seaside Park

Black Rock Lighthouse circa 1823

Waldermere Hall

Original Gate of Marina Mansion

Cortright Hall

The Seaside Institue circa 1886

Lafayette and Atlantic