Movement Day8

After the crit_

First of all, I was shocked with how diverse and creative ideas could come up, just from the topic 'movement'. I really liked this idea from one of the students in smaller crit group, which was the hovering stairs; the stairs were connected from a ceiling with a pulley, and turns to a floor and a stairs. I thought using a simple pulley to alter a whole space was a brilliant idea.

During my crit, my groupmates told me that they really liked how multi-functional my model is. Also, they said it was nice how I thought of a specific situation and users of my model. They said it would be very playful for kids and generally useful for users of any age to work with. They also said that it would help with children's creativity, since there is no limit to change the shape and function of my model. However, they said the material could have been different, such as an acrylic plastic instead of a wood. If it was made in real life, I would use plywood to give sturdy but flexible frame for the cylindrical shape. The edge of the plywood would be ground, making it safe for young users to use.

One thing I have realized throughout this project was that I really like multi-functional products and furnitures, that have a definite purpose of use. I found that my secondary research consists a lot of multi-functional products, especially furnitures.

Movement Day6

Making the model_

I spent the whole day painting the foam boards to make them look like wood boards. I used acrylic paint to give them a look of a  wood texture. After painting all the foam boards, I cut the sheets of  felt into a size in which a bit of wood would peek through at the ends of the cylinders. I had to show a bit of wood at each end because that's where the rings were connected. Also, the combination of the two materials wood and felt looked very attractive. I got colorful felts because I think my model is playful, fun, and suitable for kids.

I also had to think of a way to lay out(unroll) the cylinders at two ends. I decided to attach a velcro on the felt, which is firmly attached on the foam board. In that way, the users just need to attach and detach the velcro on a felt, as the board is easily shaped to a cylindrical shape. The users will have to detach the velcro at the each ends of the cylinder, lay out into a flat board, and shape it into either a table or a slide for kids.

Movement Day4

Trying several different ways to connect the cylinders_

The first method I tried was using a velcro to attach it around each end of every cylinder. However, I realized that velcro isn't the best way to attach and detach the cylinders together, since it's not strong enough to hold the cylinders when the model turns to a table or a tent for kids. Also if it was made in real life, dust will naturally stick on all over the velcro. 

Another way was using a stick to connect through the holes on the cylinders. However, I had to separate every cylinder to change the shape, which I thought was very inefficient. Also, I thought it would be difficult for the users to take the cylinders out of the stick due to their size.

The last method, which was using rings to connect the cylinders, worked out pretty well. I just used metal rings that I got from the school art shop. Considering different sizes of the cylinders, I used two different sizes of the rings. I honestly didn't expect that the rings would work out, but I was able to roll the cylinders on and under each other when they were connected with the rings. I also thought that the ring method would be easy for the users to work with, since they just need to roll them on or under in certain ways to make certain shapes they want.

To actually test them out, I got a foam board to make the frames. Foam boards are perfect to cut, bend and hold the weight as a model. I just made a brief model today, but I thought I could also make the actual model(for display on the last day of the project) with a foam board and paint them like wood(the "actual" model would be made of real wood instead). With the brief model I made with a foam board today, I connected them with rings and rolled them on and under in many ways. I found out that the model could  certainly turn into a carpet and a bed for sure. 

Movement Day3

Testing and making model at the workshop_

 Among the six simple machines we have to use, I chose the wheels; simply because firstly, my idea came from the wheels of a tank, and secondly, I thought it would fit in the cylinders well. I planned on inserting two connected wheels through few of the the cylinders. I haven't decided the exact sizes for the cylinders yet, but I have decided the smallest size so I set that size as a basis to make the wheels. I want to put the wheels only in the smallest cylinders because I don't want the wheels to take up unnecessary spaces and make the model look heavier.

For the most important part, the cylindrical sofas, I wanted to use wood to make the frames of it. Then I planned to cover the wood cylindrical frames with felt to give a look of a comfortable sofa. I thought I would be able to bend the wood and make the cylindrical shape if I halfway cut through the thin wood plate. I used practically thin rectangular wood plate and halfway cut narrow vertical lines to bend in a cylindrical shape. However, the wood just broke when I carefully tried to bend them after cutting. I thought of using an acrylic plastic, but the workshop tutor told me that would break either. I should think of a different material that will hold the weight as a chair, table and a bed, but still look aesthetic.

Movement Day2

I kept on developing the idea, trying to modify the bulky shape of the paper model. As I was developing, I realized I could rather embrace the big and bulky shape by adding more functions, instead of simply trying to change the shape. Therefore, I the initial design developed to a multi-functional furniture, which could be reshaped in response to each function. 

I did more research on various functions the model could perform. Since the paper model was made to be a sofa, it was sure that it has a function of a chair. I thought of different shapes and functions that could be made on the stage where the cylinders are not connected. I was able to develop the chair to a bed, table, and a tent for kids. 

The challenging part was how would people reshape the cylinders in response to each function. I thought of attatching a line of velcro on each end of the surface of every cylinder, so that the users of any age could easily reshape the model. Also, I thought of connecting each models with a flexible wire that connects through every cylinder. The last idea is to connect the cylinders with rings.

Movement Day1

After a week of researching, I made a rough paper model today. The model I made today was unexpected because it was totally different from the idea I had on my mind throughout last week. My initial idea was an architectural model inspired by a clock tower. Instead, I made a furniture piece today, which was inspired by the wheels. The idea of wheels came from my initial idea: the clock tower, because I thought a clock and a wheel were similar in a way they wind up on each other to work. I was specifically inspired by the wheels of a tank, because the shape of it( junction of circles) seem very interesting. I decided to make a furniture that has a form of connection of circles. I made about ten cylinder shapes with paper, and joined them to make a sofa. I thought the paper model was quite simple and bulky. I developed it to be more small and slim, but I wish there was more to it.

Structure&Surface Final

I made the last top board of the bookshelf. Since I had to cut the board in half because it didn't fit in the oven, the final outcome didn't have a perfect edge. However, I liked how it turned out because the acrylic boards really looked like a flowing waves. The material made the outcome look more fragile and delicate. I thought that it could just serve as a sculpture piece at home or a lobby of an office or hotel. Also, the transparency of the acrylic made a really pretty shadows and reflection under light. However, I wish I could have enlarge the width and make more cleaner conjunction. As I worried, my friends told me that the piece would look nicer if it was made more cleanly made. However, they said they liked how the idea has developed and the design was pretty.

If this piece was made in real life, I would use another material with transparent acrylic for a fun twist. For example, I would use wood or bright colored metal in one fourth of a board. The size would be pretty big, taller than me. I think this piece would suit any place with modernized interior, especially at a living room or a fancy office. 

I really enjoyed this project, especially how I got to develop my idea from 2d to 3d. 

Structure&Surface Day3

I made another 3d model of the same design, but with different material-a translucent plastic sheet. I thought that the translucency of the material might make the model look more three dimensional and real like. The design definitely looked more modern and cleaner but it still looked as simple as the paper model; I realized that the problem was not the material but the flat surface, because I only gave two or three curves up and down like a simple wavy line.

I decided to give more complex twist to the flat boards of the bookshelf. With the research I did about the lines of the ocean waves, I incorporated different arcs and curves to them. Not only curving and twisting the board by itself but twisting the boards together.

I planned on making the actual model with a transparent acrylic plastic to express the transparency of ocean waves. Also, I wanted to add the fragile property to my product. I didn't have a perfect final sketch but decided to adventure with acrylic plastic at the workshop because I was afraid if the material would not work out as i expect. I had to melt the acrylic in the oven and twist it, but the procedure was hard and the outcome was not clean. 

Illuminate Final

Since I failed on making metal hoops(which holds cups) with an aluminium wire, I thought of different ways. I found out that using a long aluminium wire and twisting them in between the cups works the best. I twisted the aluminium strings in a knot and made spaces for the cups, and connected six cups in between two pillars.

This method did hold the cups, but the wire bent because of the weight of the cups. I wanted the cups to horizontally hang straight in between the pillars, but the cups were heavier than I expected. I wanted to modify the string part, but didn't have enough time. Therefore, the final outcome was quite far from my expectation, due to the bending of wires. 

If I had more time and resources, I would use metal sticks with metal rings attached. I would make it more sturdy and use better material. However, I really do like the idea and the use of lights.

Illuminate Day4

My initial idea was to hang the glass cups(which serve as a vase) on the ceiling. However, I realized that this design was inefficient because it would be hard to take off the cups from high above and pour water in. Therefore I modified the design to a tall standing vase, in which the cups are connected in between the tall supporting sticks. The idea of standing vase was also inspired by the vase d'avril. I wanted the supporting sticks' height to be as tall as people's viewpoint, so that the reflection of the glass cups gets bigger. 

I went to the workshop to make the supporting sticks with wood. I cut the woods to about 65 inches and stuck them to cube shaped wood pieces, which I have made a hole in them. I thought the pillar would stand on the cube piece since the cube piece was sturdy and the hole was quite deep, but it didn't. I cut out bigger square shaped woods, and drilled them under the stick-supporting the whole stick. I made three supporting sticks in total. Making the sticks was a lot of fun, though it was quite challenging at the same time because it was my first time using an electric saw and other unfamiliar machines. 

I planned on making different sizes of metal hoops, which will fit each glass cup perfectly. I thought of connecting the metal hoops with tiny metal hoops, so that I could connect them in a straight horizontal line. I tried to make the hoop with an aluminium strings, because I thought they would be flexible but strong enough to hold the cups. However, it was really hard to even make a nice circular hoops with it. I have to think of different ways of connecting the cups. 

Illuminate Day3

I did more research and idea thinking, and came up with few more ideas. One of the ideas was inspired by light rays and the lines they create. The lines of rays are long and curvy, which reminded me of the lines of aurora, the northern lights. I thought of designing a lighting that looks like an aurora, using thin and colorful strings. However, my tutor told me she liked the glass cup idea which I made in 3d yesterday, so I decided to carry on my initial idea.

I thought of using vintage glass bottles to make the design eco-friendly. For example, lighting made of green or brown beer glass bottle will be suitable at a bar or pub. For restaurants, I could use wine glasses or just regular glass cups. I really liked the concept of re-using the glass cups, but wanted to focus more on the property of light and the lines they create.

As I was developing the idea, the d'avril vase came up to my mind. The d'avril vase was on my wish list for a long time, so I was very familiar with it's design. The vase d'avril is a conjunction of long cylinder glass vase, which is aimed to put one flower in each vase. I thought of creating metal hoops for each cups and connecting them with smaller rings. After school, I went to a charity shops and bought 20 vintage class cups.

Illuminate Day2

From the start of the project, I was interested in how light appears through reflection, refraction, and shadows, so decided to carry on this subject. As I did more research, I was attracted to artworks that make reflection of variety of colors. One of my favorite artworks was by Olafur Eliasson. His work consist of colorful reflection of lights. Also, I have always been a fan of Patricia Urquiola's Shimmer collection, which is a collection of shimmering furnitures that create beautiful rainbow reflection.

At first, I wanted to design something that signifies a sunlight. I wanted to use a material that would strongly reflect light without the use of a lightbulb. I sketched a conjunction of colored glasses in a geometric shape, that you put on the top corner of a room to create a reflection of sunlight. Another idea was a series of lamp with pattern engraved, so when they are lined up they create a piece of art made of shadows. 

I also wanted to create something that has a meaningful story behind it. I thought of this huge protest happened in South Korea last winter, about the president's resignation. It was called the 'candlelight vigil' because over 2.5 million people brought a little candle with them and filled the roads with bright candlelight at night. This reminded me of a power of light, and wanted to express how a little candlelight can brighten up the whole city when they are gathered together. I thought that a puzzle had a similar meaning, in which a piece of puzzle could be nothing but when they are gathered together it becomes one picture. I sketched pieces of puzzle made of mirror, which will reflect the view and light.

Use It

I was so excited when I saw the brief of this one day project because it was all about designing a chair, which is something I love to do. As we were shown with the examples of chair designs, it was really interesting how a chair design could alter in response to which setting it's in or who is the using the chair. Among the examples, my favorite had to be the DSW chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames. I have always loved Charles and Ray Eames designs because their designs deeply thought of every users, therefore very efficient, but simple and fun. 

During the primary research at school, I found this tall chair which we can easily sit on without bending our knees, which I thought was very ergonomic. I went outside and spotted several different sitting postures, from people sitting on a bench to sitting on a sofa. One thing I have noticed was that many people were crossing their legs when they were sitting. I thought of designing a chair that can prevent leg crossing and fix people's posture.

 After sketching, we were given the model plan of the infamous chair designed by Robin Day, and had to design a chair inspired by it. I was interested in people's sitting posture, so decided to make a design that can fix and correct people's sitting posture. I simply designed a bar attached to a chair, which will prevent people from crossing their legs. Developing ideas from this bar, I thought that if people's knee parts are already high up, they wouldn't be able to cross their legs. So I designed a chair in which the edge of the sitting board elevates.

I also observed the relation between people's posture and shape of the chairs. I realized that both a human body and a chair are a connection of two rectangles. To be specific, Robin Day's chair is a conjunction two rectangles, one to sit on and the other to lean our back. In that sense, a human body could be divided in to an upper body part and a lower body part, and those parts are roughly shaped like a rectangle. Supporting the idea of connecting two rectangular shapes together, I thought of inserting on rectangle into the middle of the other rectangle. As I was developing the idea, I thought of rotating the chair into different angles. When the chair was 90 degrees rotated, the design was transferred into a table. Therefore, I sketched a chair with a shorter sitting board inserted in the middle of the longer backboard; In consequence, when it is 90 degrees rotated, the longer back board becomes a main board for a table, and the shorter sitting board becomes a small board shaped in the middle of the table. 

I made two 3D models of the chair- one when it is a served as a chair, and one when it is 90 degrees rotated and served as a table. I used wooden sticks and thick paper to create the 3D models. My final design came out to be quite different from Robin Day's chair, but I certainly got the inspiration from it. Through this project, I was able to realize, once again, that furniture is my most passionate area because it interests me the most.

Ideas Factory Day2

After brainstorming each words, utopianism, fur, and twist, my group came up with the concept of people desiring for high standard things, such as fur and utopia. 

However, we thought this initial idea was pretty simple so developed it more. We brainstormed the word utopianism to  imagination, dream, and illusion. I really liked the concept of illusion for utopianism, since utopia is like a non-existing dream world full of perfection. From then, I searched for illusional artworks. I was able to find several interesting informations. One of the informations I learned was the impossible objects, which is one of the optical illusions. Also, I found an artist named M.C Escher. Most of Escher's paintings consisted a never ending staircase, which became a very important key to our idea. I thought that the never ending staircase was perfect for the word twist in my project.

At the library, I did more research about optical illusion, and discovered that the staircases drawn in Escher's paintings were called the Penrose Stairs. Penrose stairs, as known as Penrose triangle, is one of the impossible objects. I also got to learn about impossible objectsI wanted to express how people continually walk up on those impossible penrose staircase, dreaming of going to utopia, the non-existing world. 

The challenging part was to incorporate the texture fur into the staircase. We thought of attaching fur on a staircase, but it didn't make much sense. We will need to think more about the texture.