Book Illustration Websites

The internet is an excellent tool for finding inspiration through other’s work. Old book illustrations are often very detailed, beautiful and fascinating. Three of the main websites which feature older book illustrations include: Oldbookillustrations.com, Oldbookart.com and Fromoldbooks.org.

The first website, Oldbookillustrations.com, is actually well organized into galleries titled by subject matter. However, it is a rather small collection of illustrations, and the majority of the images feature the same stiff style and all are in black and white. Although this site is interesting to browse for a few minutes, for richer inspiration look elsewhere.

The next site, Oldbookart.com, features a wider selection of book titles and therefore a wide variety of detailed, full-color illustrations. However, the website itself is quite distracting, with lots of ads, and a very busy layout. Looking through the gallery, it is only possible to sort by book title, however, there are also other categories on the home page that take you to specific topics of books.

Fromoldbooks.org also holds a nice selection of images, however, the original categories are tedious to navigate. On the home page the images are organized into four categories, however these categories are a little vague and each only opens up a long list of titles—which is not very attractive. Although there are a few smaller buttons up top that allow for easier navigation—search and browse—at first these buttons aren’t noticeable. In these selections it is easier to search by topic, size, and source.

Organization really helps a website featuring artwork become successful. It is important for the images to be arranged in a meaningful manner, and categorized so it is easy to find a specific image. While each of these book illustration sites is interesting to some extent, they are either poorly organized or poorly selected. The text and navigation options on each homepage would work better if there were more hierarchy between information. Also, a more attractive and clean web design would benefit usability and also give more attention to the detailed artwork being featured.

The Event: season 1, episode 7: “I Know Who You Are”

Looking for a new TV show to cure your 24 or Lost addiction? Try The Event.

The seventh episode of NBC’s new series The Event aired on November 8^th. Created by Nick Wauters, the show’s plot revolves around the presence of a group of extra-terrestrials on earth.  This episode, “I Know Who You Are,” continues the puzzling search for the origin of these creatures while only revealing enough information to keep the audience captivated. Adding new mysteries and science fiction thrills just as fast as it reveals answers; The Event follows a plethora of plot lines and flashbacks.

The Event is a successful mixture of the action-thrill plot line of 24 and the mysterious and time-shifting Lost. In the 7^th episode more is revealed about an unknown person who is trying to keep the extraterrestrials a secret, much like the usual plot line of 24 (there is always someone else behind each terrorist attack—and Jack states “It’s not over yet!”). Also, like the characters in Lost, the extraterrestrials don’t have the resources to get back home, and the show feeds off of many flash backs in time from each character.

The different plot lines and flashbacks are a bit confusing and frankly annoying in the first few episodes, considering the backstory of the show hasn’t even yet been established. However, the thrills and cliffhangers allow the series another chance. By the seventh episode of The Event, the viewer becomes used to the format of the series (provided they’ve kept up with the show), and it is easier to understand why this format adds to the dynamic of the characters.

The flashback format of the show adds a lot to the show’s bewildering plot. It keeps the viewer engaged since he or she has to pay attention and gather the details in order to understand the story. The viewer is really piecing together the details to solve the mystery. Although the back-stories are not always completely relevant to the plot, they allow insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions in the more certain current situations.

At times The Event is rather cheesy and unbelievable. However, this type of show is meant to shock and keep the viewer craving more ridiculous action and mystery. This isn’t a show where one can miss an episode and expect to understand what is happening.

The Event has a blog and twitter account that feature additional information about the plot. NBC is trying to create a whole culture that will try to decipher the mystery of the extraterrestrials. Will The Event be as successful as Lost or 24? It will only if it continues to offer both new information and mysteries to keep the show as shocking as the first seven episodes.

Aqua

Made from a mixture of metal, cement and glass, the new Aqua residential tower at 225 N. Columbus Drive looks refreshingly streamlined and light. While the center of the building is an average rectangular glass tower, Gang’s use of curvy balconies gives it a more sculpted, organic feel. The contrast between the opaque concrete and reflective glass also gives it highlights, depth and interest. Construction of Aqua began in 2006 and was completed in 2010. It rises 82 stories in Lakeshore East, Chicago, built by a team of architects headed by Jeanne Gang. It has been marketed as the tallest building (at a height of over 850 feet) to be completed by a team led by a woman architect.

Lakeshore east, near Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, is home to many buildings that have aquatic names including The Tides, The Shoreham and The Regatta. Aqua uses the sculptural quality of its construction to extend this theme into its appearance. The large concrete balconies on each floor form waves up and down the building’s sides. Each wave is different, and therefore each concrete section on each floor was unique. Although this made Aqua’s construction somewhat challenging because each layer had to be created independently, the finished look gives the building a nice flowing texture.

Aqua’s balconies have drawn some criticism because all units do not have equal balcony space. Because each section of concrete is unique, some decks are 12 feet outward from the rooms, while others have barely enough space to walk out on. However, while architecture’s main function is to provide an appropriate space for the people using it, uneven balconies are not enough to dismiss this building as a gimmick. Just as there are different versions of apartment space in Aqua, there are different sizes of balconies. Therefore, each resident may choose which space is best for his or her needs. While the decreased outdoor space may not please some people, others may be content paying less for that space. This also adds variety to the tower—it would be boring if all the residences were identical.

While studying the wavy decks, it is easy to forget that the residence is primarily a rectangular column of glass. The floor-to ceiling windows allow each unit to have spectacular views of the surrounding area (downtown, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier) while also contrasting with the white decks on the outside. Aqua would be a plain glass building without its decks, but the windows also help add to the nautical texture. The contrast between white and blue pulls from visions from the sea.

Although Aqua is somewhat hidden behind neighboring towers, the different wavy textures along its exterior give quite a unique view from each direction one might glimpse it from. It is quite a nice look against a cloudy sky, since the two textures almost seem to merge. Although it is not the best in residential architecture, it is certainly more interesting than the typical residential tower with identical floors.