CHRIS_WHITE_WORKSHOP_REPORT

GOLD GLAZE BACKFLOW:VISIONS OF THE FUTURE THROUGHCONSUMERIST NARRATIVESPROJECT RATIONALE AND PROJECT OVERVIEWCHRISTOPHER WHITEYSDN 4004 DESIGN WORKSHOPSECTION BWENDY S. WONG

Project RationaleGold Glaze Backflow takes a personalized approach to depicting thepossible outcomes of technologies in the future. It is a projection ofthe migration of old technology to new, where as old technologies areinvestigated to produce images of what technology could look like inthe distant future. Gold Glaze Backflow takes these projections andinvestigates the possibilities of these technologies for affecting thehuman condition.This investigation into the future is characterized through an aestheticevolution from old scientific periodicals to highly commercialized decora-tive objects. The resulting objects are an abstraction of the visual formsobserved within the images of technology from the past. These projec-tions are then a result of the old technologies informing new possibilities,tracing a migration from old to new.Gold Glaze Backflow assumes that the future will be a complicated.It assumes that as the human race explores more and more of theuniverse, specific needs will be introduced that will be met by productsdelivered through a market economy. With such a structure, companiesdelivering these products will need to generate excitement for theirnew product lines.The products are presented through “look books” that are a mix ofold images, hand drawn graphics, and vector illustrations. The contentis focused around a generalized theme for each volume. The firstbeing apparel for the purposes of redefining one’s physical capacity.The second volume is centered around devices that can be used to alteremotional and cognitive states, where the third volume is focused onnew ways in which humanity will travel around the universe. Thesethree volumes assume both an investigative stance upon the areas ofinterest, but also aim to generate excitement for the coming seasonand the available products.The result is a preview catalog released with the intentions of showcasingnew objects for mass consumption. Through the pages of the catalogsa heavy optimism is generated for the usefulness of the presented objectsalong with the promise of their improvement for the human race.

Project OverviewThe Project is broken up into three volumes and one general catalog.Each come with their own branded introductory belly band that labelswhich season the objects were developed for.In this case, Gold Glaze Backflow is releasing products for earth seasonfour, or in today’s terms, winter.

Cognative Adjustment Armarment

Introductory spreads for the look book. Imagery was developed to inducethe feeling of technology liberating people from their negative emotionalstate, or reinforcing a positive ones.

Spreads showcasing technology and a loose description of theirimagined function. Pattern was a dominant theme used to generate asense of regulation and management of specific variables.

Physical Augmentation Hardware

Introductory spreads for the look book. Graphic imagery was developedto reinforce the idea of multiple variations being developed for manyspecific needs. The book is focussed around protection and enhancement.It uses the motif of helmets to carry the concept through the catalog.

Mixing the overly stylized vector illustrations with drawn elements andarchive imagery is used on the same page to develop a relationshipamongst the various elements.

Excursionary Incentive Fleet

The archival imagery in this catalog is more interpretive than documen-tary which allows for the opportunity to build upon the collective imagina-tion of society of the time the archival images were made. In this wayall original purposes are obscured and the archival images are used totell new stories about the purpose for the objects in the photographs.

This catalog uses line work to communicate the idea of multiple and reoc-curring trajectories that the future of space travel would employ.