Kimmy Tsai Graphic Design
ktsai@mica.edu / kimmy.g.tsai@gmail.com +1-443-255-8150
The Wizard of Oz Experimental Typographic Layout
Stories are told through words, what if when typography is not just letters that convey meaning. This experimental typographic project is aiming to create a new way of visual communication. I am exploring with using typography itself as the media for story telling, and exploring the typographic relationship with form and pages.
The Wizard of Oz
Mix Up Workshop Branding
Mix Up is a workshop which gathers people from different practices to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. The branding system is created based on the concept which strokes are designed to represent different fields of practice. Each stroke style can stand by itself but also creates a variety of patterns with other strokes, just like the diverse and unlimited possibilities of collaboration.
Mix Up
“Design is more than just a few tricks to the eye, it’s a few tricks to the brain.
_
Neville Brody
graphic
“The limitation of the
natural world is the new beginning for design.
_
Neri Oxman
biology
“One person’s craziness is another person’s reality.
_
Tim Burton
film “Light is a form of language, respectively a carrier of signs and codes.
_
Brigitte Kowanz
light “Work out of your work. Don’t work out of anybody else’s work.
_
Richard Serra
sculpture “In some ways, I am a
poet in a visual medium.
_
Ahn Sang Soo
typography “I want people to be
inspired by my art for their own lives.
THE COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP _
www.mixup.com
Jen Stark
Workshop Poster
pattern
March 13 -19
2017
BOSTON, MA
Workshop Publication
Ersilia Book Design
Ersilia is created in Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. It is a place where everyone’s connection are shown through physical lines. Taking Ersilia as the inspiration, I integrate material into the tangible book design. Pages and words are connected with threads like the people in the city. Experimental type form are designed to tell the history of the city.
Ersilia
Architecture Grid Studies Daily Observing Project
Architecture Grid Studies is derived from an assigned daily project. The condition of this project is to create a series of work every day. Since it’s an everyday practice, I want to combine it with my daily walking routine, and to explore my neighborhood. When 3D architecture are flatten into 2D image, it creates interested structure to discover. The goal is to explore my surrounding more and discover the beauty within it.
Architecture Grid Studies
Final Poster - Grid Layout
Real Life Grid Study
Real Life Grid Study
Baltimore 21217
Baltimore 21217
Final Poster - Architecture + Grid
Graphic Rumination GDMFA Thesis
Graphic Rumination is a personal design methodology inspired by animal rumination. Cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminant animals digest food in multiple compartments rather than in a single stomach. The term “rumination” also refers to a slow, deep thought. My methodology “digests” photographs to extract different graphic “nutrients” in order to derive new forms. As a designer, observer, and science nerd, I enjoy creating design elements through a nonlinear yet methodical process.
Graphic Rumination
Graphic Rumination for Organizing Information - Scientific Method Posters
Graphic Rumination
Graphic Rumination for Organizing Information - City Book Cover Design
pre-grazing
BIOMIMICRY WORKSHOP
grazing
grazing
biomimicry workshop
Biomimicry is innovation inspired by nature. It introduces an era based not on what we can extract from nature, but on what we can learn from her. JANINE BENYUS When thinking of combining science with design, Biomimicry captures the essence of the approach. The core idea of Biomimicry is learning from nature for inspiration. When there is a problem, nature probably already has an answer for it. Instead of imitating the appearance or the end product itself, it is more about emulating the process and system for a more sustainable solution.
CIRCULAR STRUCTURE OF LICHEN
By immersing myself in nature, I got to be more keen on observing what is around me. Nature also taught me to be humble.
The Biomimicry Institue https://biomimicry.org
Ask Nature
https://asknature.org
Janine Benyus TED Talk: Biomimicry in Action
14 •
https://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_ biomimicry_in_action?language=en
15
SPIRAL STRUCTURE FROM DANDELION
•
During the workshop, I was introduced to different ecosystems•. In nature, patterns and systems are not for aesthetic but derived from functionality. In the wild, the patterns are more like an after product of functionality, and with researching on models, we get to find solutions for a specific question. Even in different environments, you can still discover similar appearance from organisms. Instead of having a direct instruction for action, there could be more flexible and back and forth within the design.
BIOMIMIC RY TAXONO MY The Biomi micry Taxo nomy categ that organis orize ms and na tural system s the different ways challenge s. Use the s meet fun taxonomy ctional challenge when begin , as a tool ning a de to help yo identify qu sign u “think fun estions yo ctionally” u can “ask” and nature.
Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to our challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies. The goal is to create products, processes, and policies—new ways of living— that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul.
SPIRAL STRUCTURE OF BANANA TREE TRUNK
16 •
17
5
SPIRAL STRUCTURE• OF ALOE
•
grazing
biomimicry workshop
GROUP DISCUSSION FOR THE BIOMIMICRY CHALLENGE
grazing
NATURAL PATTERN ON A BANANA LEAVE
pre-grazing
In nature, functionality leads to aesthetic. This concept makes me think of the role of graphic designers. Deisgn is based on the goal of visula communication.
NATURAL PATTERN FROM MOUNTAIN WALL
STRUCTURE OF A BABY FERN
INSPIRATION AND RESULTS OF THE BIOMIMICRY CHALLENGE The biomimicry challenge that my group received is to design a backpack with good air circulation while carrying, and easy to reach for objects in the bag. One of the ideas of biomimicry is to design locally. To follow the concept, we set out to search for structures from the environment around us and come up with a speculative backpack.
After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival. JANINE BENYUS
18
20
19
21
•
Thesis Book Design
•
Design interprets science and transforms the interpretation into a concrete artifact.
graphic rumination
CITY COLOR With the feedback during group meetings, it was pointed out the location of where the images were taken is also valuable to incorporate into design. How can I translate this new level of data into decision making? This introduced another direction for design and created new assets using the graphic nutrients.
The process of extracting different graphic nutrients from photography creates multiple ways to represent the same image. •
BORIS MÜLLER
•
Multiple ways of representation are capturing various essences of the subject in different visual form, just like field guides.
120 •
BUILDING A GRID ON THE WALL My exhibition is showing how images are being digested. I create a grid to show the rigor of the process, and it requires a lot of measuring. In order to build the grid faster, I laser cut a spacer for measurement. Special thanks to my thesis buddy Cora McKenzie for all of her help and support!
182 •
183
Thesis Book Design
anatomy
digestion wall
121
Rumination has distinct meanings in different disciplines. By understanding what rumination represents in each field, how can I translate the ideas into graphic design?
Sympathetic Biology Motion Evite
This is a motion evite for a Bio-art exhibition. The goal is to create an intriguing motion to highlight the idea that art can be working with nature around us. I designed a simple motion using the movement of elements to introducing several pieces of information. Video Link: https://youtu.be/DJqX-woDtWY
5
ACCIDENTAL UNPLEASANT
SUPPRESING SOUND
SUPPRESING SOUND
UNCONCIOUS
UNCONCIOUS
THERE ARE
4
MAJOR WAYS SOUND IS AFFECTING YOU ALL THE TIME
1
CORTISOL FIGHT-FLIGHT HORMONE
BREATHING
HORMONE
12 CYCLES
PHYSIOLOGICAL
12 CYCLES
MIN
SOUNDS HEART RATE BRAINWAVES
THERE ARE
4
MAJOR WAYS SOUND IS AFFECTING YOU ALL THE TIME
1
PHYSIOLOGICAL
2
PSYCHOLOGICAL
EMOTIONAL STATE SOUNDS
Motion Essay REASSURING
Video Link: https://youtu.be/E-XjcPe8Qic
MUSIC NATURAL
PRODUCTIVITY
Motion Graphic
The project is using motion graphic to transform a TED Talk into an visual essay. I use collages, typography and movement to make the information more digestible.
HEALTH
MUSIC
WORRIED
COUNSCIOUSNESS
5
MIN
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
Museum Of Onomatopoeia Imaginary Museum Branding
Ahem! Onomatopoeia are words that imitate sounds. While sounds are the same around the world, each language has its own method of saying and spelling. Bow Wow and Wang Wang are how the same dog’s bark is written in English and in Mandarin. The Museum of Onomatopoeia invites visitors to explore how sounds turn into language and to learn about the variety of onomatopoeia found around the world. Come and hear with your eyes, and explore how sound can be another source of communication. Warm up your voice, sharpen your ears, and enjoy the playfulness of words and sounds at MoO. Clap Clap Clap! Museum trailer: https://youtu.be/etq_1MI56E0
Onomatopoeia Across Languages
Onomatopoeia Across Languages
Mar. 01. 2018 Jul. 31. 2018
Mar. 01. 2018 Jul. 31. 2018
Museum Way finding System
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia Across Languages
Onomatopoeia Across Languages
March. 15. 2018
Museum Tickets
Child Adm.
Feb. 01. 2019 Aug. 15. 2019
$ 5.00
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
March. 15. 2018
Adult Adm.
$ 10.00
Shape Of Onomatopoeia
Museum 2nd Exhibition Poster
1
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
Museum Of Onomatopoeia
Career Cartographer 3D Modeling / Printing
This is a studio AKA project, the goal is to create a persona to inspire us designing in new field, media and technique. In order to explore my interest in discovering new visual languages and try the 3D printing open sources, I create the persona called Career Cartographer. Specializing in mining and mapping the essential nature of occupations, the career cartographer deconstructs and distills 3D body parts into 2D extruded maps, using pattern to provide details related to each discipline.
Career Cartographer
Cartographic Poster - Athlete / Foot
3D Printed - Foot / Athlete
ATHLETE FOOT
Cartographic Poster - Scientist / Hand
3D Printed - Eye / Graphic Designer
Arch
Heel
Ankel
Big Toe
Little Toe
Cartographic Poster - Graphic Designer / Eye
Discover The Invisible Capstone Exhibition
Even we can’t see, microbes have a strong relationship with human beings and it’s around us all the time. Without them, it is going to take so much longer to accomplish our daily task. Microbes might be the most silent contributors in our lives. I used to stay in lab and work with microbes, during that time I had observed interesting fact about these invisible creatures and had discovered the beauty of it. Instead of being overly germophobic, we could learn more about these interesting creatures, and I believe microbes deserve more positive attention. Discover the invisible is aim to share interesting facts about microbes and expect these facts could bring up people’s interest so they can search for further information. The project also includes a microbes growing kit that contains all the essential ingredients to prepare petri dishes and grow your own microbes back home. I would like to bring up people’s awareness of the invisible microbes and amplify its beauty. I believe there is still more beauty waiting for us to discover from the invisible.
Discover The Invisible
Bacteria Growing Petri Dishes
Grow the Invisible Kit Manual
Grow the Invisible Kit
Design Dictionary Publication Design
Design Dictionary is a publication design for my research on the Discover the Invisible capstone project. This dictionary is functioned as a visual reference for my text based research process.
Design Dictionary
Realigned Capstone Exhibition Identity
Realigned is a collaborative project with my classmates for our capstone exhibition identity. The name is inspired by our program cohorts’ diverse background and now all meeting together and realigning ourselves as graphic designers. For promoting the exhibition, I design a simple logo gif to send out with newsletter email. Gif Link: https://youtu.be/MqimxdiWGzk
Calvin Marcus at Peep Hole, Milan, Italy
at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole
at peep hole at peep hole and I am letting you know
at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole
This is a project from a studio class to create an artist exhibition poster only using typography. Marcus Civin is a contemporary artist, his works always welcome audiences to view in multiple direction and are opened to different interpretation. In order to capture the core concept, the poster is designed to read in both horizontal and vertical direction. Audiences can receive different information from different way of reading.
at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole
Artist Exhibition Poster
at peep hole you are making art and it is narcisstic
C. Marcus At Peep Hole
at peep hole I know what I am doing at peep hole
at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole at peep hole
November 20. 2015 - January 23. 2016
Seng Chinese Medicine Branding
Chinese Medicine is a traditional practice from my cultural background. Even it is invented from the old time, Chinese medicine is gaining its popularity in modern time. Seng is a rebranding project for Chinese medicine, the goal is to introduce it to Western and modern audiences. My design direction is transforming the monotonous practice into a more dynamic and approachable visual system.
Seng
Touch & Tilt Interactive Design
Technology allows designers to create a different experience for their audiences. For Touch & Tilt, I combine Processing, Arduino with viewers’ performance to create an interactive piece. The project is aiming to discover the relationship of body movement with tools that we use. I end up selecting the wrist movement with watering can, fishing pole and sand shovel, and the object is created as a hybrid of three of them. When the audience selects an environment, the sensor inside will detect the tilting movement and display different GIF according to the environment. Here is the project demonstration video: https://youtu.be/UmvOFh9r23E
Touch & Tilt
Tactile Interface
Exhibition Poster
Three-in-one Tool
All About The Shape Museum Collection
The project starts with collecting a set of artwork from the Walters Art Museum. I am attracted by the variety of vases’ shape and end up design an information card set to combine vases from different era and region. My purpose is to celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of our ancestors and create a resource that is approachable to viewers. This project also provides the opportunity to learn new technique about laser cutting.
All About The Shape
Rhyton with Griffins 3rd-2nd century BC Egypt
Black-figure Kylix with Sirens 6th century BC Attica, Greece
Figurative Bottle 200 BC-AD 100 Peru Incense Burner Stand AD 900-1200 Colima, Mexico
Barrel Jug 8th century BC Cyprus
Head Pot with Painted Design AD 650-800 Peru
Arrow Vase Imitating Guan Ware 1735-1795 China
Moon Flask with Shou Character 1736-1750 China
Hadra Vase ca. 230 BC Egypt
Red-Figure Kantharos with Female Head 320-310 BC Apulia, Italy
Rosewater Flask ca. 1700-1750 Kütahya, Turkey
Aryballos with a Lion ca. 625 BC Corinth, Greece
Double-Chambered Vessel with Monkey ca. 600-900 Veracruz, Mexico
Red-Figure Rhyton ca. 450 BC Athens, Greece
Black-Figure Mastos with Combat Scenes ca. 530 BC Attica, Greece Vase in the Shape of a Gu 1720-1740 China
Teapot with Candlestick 1723-1735 China
Poster
Chirimoya Effigy Bottle 600-200 BC North Coast, Peru
Information Card Set
Messy Or Beauty Hat Design
Who am I? How can I express myself and my culture through an accessory, a hat? What is beauty? This is a subjective question. From where I’m from, in Taiwan, there is always a debate about the aesthetics of street signages. Some think there are no rules or systems in the display, while others believe the diverse form conveys the essence of the country and culture. This discussion reminds me the situation as I am studying for Graphic Design. There is no formula for creating beauty, it depends on each individual’s perception. The form of signage becomes an agent to bridge the culture background and my status now pursuing as a graphic designer. At the same time, the original function for signages is to communicate information. This naturally fit the goal of the project, using signage as a courier for my identity.
Kimmy Tsai Graphic Design
ktsai@mica.edu / kimmy.g.tsai@gmail.com +1-443-255-8150