Kooji does Boston - Day Six

‘Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.’

We returned bright and early just as I said we would to claim ourselves a rare and highly sought after ‘Walking Teapot.’ This year’s teapot was a limited edition flaming teapot. As we rapidly approached the Pixar booth we caught sight of a life drawing class being held by Sony Pictures Imageworks and so we made a quick pit-stop to attend a class.


Mr Karl Gnass pointed out that I’d gone ‘outside the lines’ on mine.

The demonstration by Karl Gnass lasted almost an hour and during this time we were shown several techniques of figure drawing including expression, musculature, and movement. Afterwards I asked Mr Gnass for his autograph:

Karl Gnass’ Autograph

We then went over to the Pixar booth to sit and listen to a discussion on RenderMan for a program called Maya. We were shown a demonstration using a tool called Z-Brush after which we were rewarded with a limited edition DVD which contained a free evaluation of the product. If we wanted a walking teapot we were then asked to join a queue (which encompassed the edge of the whole show floor), but after a surprisingly short wait we received our well packaged and dinky toy. Here’s what the description said on the tin:

“The Walking Teapot’s aerodynamic design is well suited for the stresses expected of any wind-up device, yet it’s sleek form has even greater significance, as the walking teapot is a homage to one of the first 3D models ever created – the Teapot – and this model has appeared everywhere in graphics publications since.”

In the afternoon we decided to do some sight seeing in Boston. We took the T into the city and as we struggled to find our way around accidentally came across the Hard Rock Café. Here we were introduced to the concept of ‘Re-Fills.’ Unlike the restaurants we were used to the waitress kept returning with more pink lemonade each time our glasses became empty. At first we said we didn’t want them exclaiming ‘we didn’t order more drinks!’ but once we realised you only paid the once we gulped down several glasses.

We accidentally stumbled across the Hard Rock Café in Boston.

Someone had obviously miscalculated their trajectory on the way through the entrance.

Inside the Hard Rock Café with my Leeds Met Teddy Bear ‘Yorkie.’

Afterwards we took a trip down to Copley Square and saw the Boston public library, Old South Church and Copley Place Mall. Inside one of the shops we were given directions for the Museum of Fine Arts so this was the next place we visited. Since it was Wednesday entry into the museum was free (which was a relief because our dollars were dwindling).

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Then it was time to make our way back to the Seaport World Trade Center where the Contributor Reception was being held that evening. First we stopped off at the Seaport Bar and Grille for drinks overlooking the harbour. We watched the ‘Spirit of Boston’ ferry people away, took photos of the jellyfish and then walked up to the reception.

The Spirit of Boston.

The Contributor Reception was more like a banquet and there were all kinds of food catering to every possible taste. The reception was also another networking opportunity and Johnny and I mingled with lots of people including Valerie Lemieux, a Graphic Designer specialising in illustration, publishing and web design (her online portfolio is here: http://www.phoenix214.com) and Kelly Birg, a digital photographer, graphic designer and fine artist (her online portfolio is here: http://www.birgdigphoto.net/ ) We shared many common interests and a passion for Art, Design and all forms of New Media.

A group photo with our friends at the Contributor Reception, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston.

The reception was also a chance to celebrate our success with my tutors and team mates. This photo of the team was taken with the group mascot ‘Yorkie,’ my Leeds Met Teddy Bear. I got him at my graduation in July and decided to pin an American Flag to his scarf bearing the Leeds Met logo, (a Yorkshire rose designed for the university by Richard Berry our Branding and Design Manager) and bring him along with us:

The Leeds Met Team in Boston.

A group photo of us posing in front of the Boston skyline.

Johnny and I winding down after the Contributor Reception.

A beautiful view of the city from the bridge near Boston Harbour.

The open air reception was a spectacular sight. We were treated to great food and drink and really enjoyed the company of everyone we spoke to. It made a brilliant end to yet another superb day. We rounded it off by admiring the beautiful Boston skyline, saying our goodbyes before making our way back to the hotel.

>>> Kooji does Boston - Day Seven