Everyday Sounds: Exercise 3

For the next exercise leading up to Project 1, we will be focusing on sound as a compositional element in time-based media.

Between now and next class, we will mindfully listen to the sounds in our everyday environment. In doing so, we will document the individual sounds and composite soundscapes that occur naturally in our daily lives.

As a preliminary for this exercise, you will find two places; one inside and the other outside. In each of these places you will sit quietly for ten minutes with your eyes closed and listen deeply to all the sounds in this place. Bring a notebook/paper and a pencil/pen to jot down a list of all sounds you notice. Record any insights/thoughts you have in regard to these sounds and their effect on you. Think about the following:

• Describe your setting, time and any important particulars
• What sounds did you notice?
• Any interesting or notable patterns?
• Did you become aware of previously missed sounds?
• Were some sounds more prominent than others? Why do think so?
• What did you notice about the quality of the sounds?
• Reflect on your overall experience and understanding of everyday sounds

You will then post this documentation in your blog for next class (Sept 18). In this class we will use sound to construct a timeline in relation with our images for Project 1. Please bring headphones, earbuds for next class

Next Class: Cameras Please

For next week’s class, please bring your cameras again for another exercise we will conduct in class. Don’t forget your cables for transfer to the computer, as we will be uploading our images to Final Cut. This week we will explore editing beyond cuts with transitions and overlays.

Other things:

• set up your blog and provide your name and a link in the comments of Design Journal post…I will then add you to the blogroll
• post your first entry based on the in Light/Frame Exercise
• Go to Vimeo and join the YSDN 3009 group   -  we will go over in class to make sure everyone can post and share their work online

Journal Entry #1

For the first entry in your design journals, write about your experience with the first in class exercise concerning light. Some questions/topics you might think about:

• How did you choose the framed composition? What did you look for?
• In the taking the photos, what were your thoughts/observations? Were you more observant of the surroundings? In what way?
• Did you notice any changes in landscape/composition that were interesting?
• Back in the studio, what were your reactions/observations in seeing the photos? Did your idea of how they might look change?
• When assembled in  sequence, how did that look? Did you discover anything new?
• How do you understand light and frame rate as compositional elements in design?
• Reflect on the entire process ….is there anything else?

Post this before next class and you can include visuals.

Design Journals (15%)

As part of your ongoing education as designers of time-based media, each student will keep and regularly contribute to a design journal to document their individual process. This journal will be hosted online in a blog format that affords the opportunity to share with others your on-going design sources, inspirations and resources.