SKBK#8

SKBK#8.1
Data collected

This assignment was the preparation for our Data-Drawing. I collected my data using Notes app on my iPhone.  My Calendar, Text, Phone and group text Apps reminded me at the end of the day of events I forgot to jot down in the moment. 

SKBK#8.1
Data Collected

During the drawing process I found that reconfiguring the data helped me keep track of what I was drawing. 

Next we were to make thumbnails of the way we would represent the data that we collected. This took me off on too many tangents. I had learned of the importance of this step from the last portfolio project, so I persevered even when I felt I wasn't accomplishing anything. I also experimented with different pencils and markers to see which would create the effects I wanted.

SKBK#8.3
Thumbnail with color

SKBK#8.2
Thumbnail

SKBK#8.4
Thumbnail more detail and colors

More thumbnails and experiments

And more

Going a different direction

And trying different mediums

Thumbnail of the Information box

SKBK#8.5
Thumbnail of Information Box

Glue and tape

When I realized how much I needed to write in the Information Box and especially how long my title was, I decided to ask for permission to create a printed document for the Title, About The Data and Analysis sections. With permission granted I created the document and got it printed it on legal size paper with landscape page orientation. I left room to hand write the KEY to the data. I went to Hobby Lobby to look for washi tape and glue to attach the page. I found an acid and Xylene free acrylic emulsion glue made by ZIG Memory Systems. I decided on the 1/4 inch black washi tape. 

Decided to put information box
across the bottom of the drawing

One problem I encountered was the difference in the color and texture of the white printer paper and the Strathmore Drawing paper. After advise from Professor Young and experimentation, I decided to include squares of the printer paper in the drawing and also add some figures in black ink. This tied the picture section to the white printer page. I also included the gel ink and color pencils in the key section of the printed page to tie it to the picture. I experimented with the washi tape to determine if it would be too distracting. I felt that the narrow width tape would be ok.

With all these elements decided it was time to draw the picture. I chose to use multi colored gel ink pens to draw my data points. I wanted to use faces because the data was about finally being able to interact in person with the Covid epidemic waning. I wanted to use places because I felt "trapped" in my home during some months of the epidemic. I decided on woodless color pencils to shade different locations in representative colors. I included flags to represent my interactions with internationals because I missed the international travel and relationships that were shut down with travel restrictions. I thought the relationship of the people to me was a key factor as well as how long we interacted. Finally, I wanted to differentiate between face-to-face and virtual communication. 

Maybe all these elements were too much information to capture. I feel I made this assignment much harder than it should have been. I see a lot I will do differently next time I try this. The virtual interaction of the two Japanese classes with Zoom and Group chats took the spotlight off my home being prepared for guests. But as I reflect on this it may actually be the story of these 4 days. I took Japanese and Drawing at UCA as a way to "re-enter the world after Covid" and my house was not ready for true entertaining yet. The people I was interacting with in my home were mostly helping me prepare it. Because of virtual meetings becoming more prevalent during the pandemic, we were able to actually have our Japanese class through quarantines and illnesses. Although face-to-face encounters and in-person classes are the preference I am grateful for the convenience of technology.

As with the need to persevere with drawing thumbnails to decide what doesn't work so I can eventually get to the things that do work, I am glad to have had this challenge. I would like to try doing another data-drawing sometime. I really like the ideas discussed in the Dear Data project video about using data cards as love letters or encouragement gifts.

And finally, I want to say thank you to Professor Jeffry Young! This has been the most enlightening class I have had at UCA since I took a FORTRAN programming language class in 1977 and learned how to communicate with computers! I thought I was simply going to improve my ability to put images on paper but I feel I have learned a new way to communicate and process my thoughts and feelings. I am very grateful for the privilege of having learned from you this semester.

Sincerely,

Mary Bowlin