Research
To begin research for this assignment, my table group and I were tasked with coming up with a mask design for a stakeholder prompt. This activity helped me begin to think about how to convey feelings and emotions through a mask design.
Designs my table group and I came up with.
I then began to research different past pandemics and begin rough sketches of possible mask designs.
To view research notes closely
Researching different pandemics before I began sketching helped me think of different mask designs. I was able to get inspiration for my mask design sketches based on the symptoms, preventative measures, and facts about the pandemics.
Iterations
Most of my design changes came in the initial stages of designing my mask and then most minor changes came after material testing.
For my initial design, I thought of having the needles on the inside of the mask, which is something that carried over to my final design; however, I initially designed the outside of the mask to have a plastic-like material on it. But after discussion with my partner, we decided that we wanted to focus on touch as our secondary sensory, so we brainstormed and thought bubble wrap would be perfect to create the smallpox sores. I wanted to take it a step further and fill the bubbles so they could actually be popped and have stuff come out of them. My goal was to make the views very uncomfortable to demonstrate the grim reality of the smallpox pandemic. In my final design, I also added fabric on the neck, which is something I didn’t have in my initial design.
Another major iteration came in testing the bubble wrap and what I would use to fill them. I first tested if it was even possible to fill the bubbles with water and if I would be able to cover the hole I made; it was. I was able to use a syringe with a very small needle hole because the hole was small enough were the water didn’t leak out before I covered the hole with super glue. I knew I didn’t want to use water to fill my bubbles, so I found some very old hair gel that was just thick enough but also watery enough to come out of the syringe. It also had a yellow color to it, which was perfect because I was trying to recreate a pussy look. I then tested the size of the bubble wrap.
I ended up liking the smaller bubbles better because the bigger bubbles were just a little too big and did not lay well on the mask when filled. I then glued the bubbles onto a tester mask to see what would be the best way to paint them black. I decided that I wanted the mask and bubbles to be black because I really wanted the “puss” to stand out when popped.
Tester Mask
Through testing, I found that I was best able to fill the bubbles and then paint them black, so the paint would not crack when the bubble expanded. I also found that I didn’t like the way the plastic that was connecting the bubbles looked, so I cut each bubble out by hand to reduce the plastic and create a cleaner look.
Concept Statement
My intention for my composition is to create a mask (using fabric, bubble wrap, paint, and hair gel) that is inspired by the smallpox pandemic. I focused on touch in my composition with the bubbles filled with hair gel. The bubbles are intended to be popped by the viewers to represent the smallpox sores being popped by the vaccine needle. Touch was an element that both my partner and I focused on. Touch is also seen in the needles on the inside of the mask, representing the sensation of receiving the smallpox vaccine. My partner and I harmonized between our compositions’ use of texture and touch, and we contrasted in our color pallets. Texture is seen in the sore bubbles, vaccine needles, and mask ties. The black color scheme represents the dark and grim reality of the smallpox pandemic in the death it caused, as well as the prevention measures people took to stay healthy. The compositions show both the prevention measures and what happens if those measures fail.
Production
To see all production pictures view PDF
Intentions Behind a Few of my Design Choices:
- Mask Style
- For my mask, I wanted to design it to still be functional for the pandemic I was protecting against: smallpox. By doing some research, I found that people wore masks to protect themselves, so I knew I wanted a hint of traditional masks in my design. The masks worn during the smallpox pandemic were very large, so I wanted my mask to go beyond the mouth area; however, I did not want just a baggy mask. I decided that because touch was such a big part of our design (mine and Ashleigh’s), I wanted to extend the mask down into the neck area. I wanted the fabric to be tight to the neck, so the wearer of the mask would feel the fabric tightly tied around their neck and feel restricted and suffocated. The tie of the mask relates to how masks were secured to the face during the time of the smallpox pandemic: ties. I left the ties of the mask freed and unfinished to represent the mask’s heavy usage and wear over time.
- Color
- Ashleigh and I decided we wanted our masks to contrast visually but harmonize in what they represented: something painful and uncomfortable. I wanted my mask to be black for two major reasons: to represent the dark and grim reality of the smallpox pandemic in the death it caused and to help contrast the “puss” when the bubbles were popped. When testing my bubbles, I found the yellow gel blended in with lighter surfaces and materials, so I wanted to make sure my mask and the bubbles were painted black, so the “puss” would really stand out when they were popped. I also decided to paint them black because I found that (through my research) some people actually had sores that turned black, and I thought that would be an interesting aspect to include in my design.
- Aspects of Touch and Texture
- Ashleigh and I made touch and texture a major aspect of our designs; this would be something that we used to harmonize our compositions. Texture and touch are seen in three “places” on my mask. The first place was explained above and how the neck area is supposed to restrict the wearer of the mask. The second and most obvious place is the front or outside of the mask. On the outside of my mask are the bubbles filled with hair gel to represent the sores of smallpox. The bubbles are squishy to touch making them feel like they are filled with something. Another layer of touch and texture is exposed when the bubbles are popped and the hair gel is exposed. The bubbles are intended to be popped by the viewers. The third-place where texture and touch are seen is on the inside of the mask. The smallpox vaccine was given with a bifurcated needle; the needles on the inside of the mask represent the sensation of receiving the smallpox vaccine. When the pressure of the mask being tied to one’s face is applied the mask is quite uncomfortable, which adds to the uncomfortable quality of the mask in general.
Overall, I am very happy with the way my mask turned out and the way mine and Ashleigh’s look together. I think we were able to create a cohesive concept: my mask was meant to show the prevention measures people took and what happens if those measures failed, and Ashleigh’s mask (quick notes version) was meant to show the aftermath of getting sick/scarring and having to build the pieces back together. I think we were able to contrast our masks really well but still harmonize in our use of texture and touch, as well as show very uncomfortable things. There are some areas in my mask where I could improve in my craft; however, due to the very fragile nature of my mask and the bubbles, I think I was able to produce a clean mask overall. I am proud of the thinking that went into my design choices. I can see myself understanding how to use design principles and elements better. Overall, I am very happy with my mask.
Portfolio Project