Research
To begin research for this assignment my partner and I looked at different genres of instrumental music we both liked. After we had a list of songs, we narrowed our selection down to the top two songs. I then took notes on the feelings I felt while listening to the songs.
Left Page: Notes on the different songs we liked.
Right Page: Notes on our top two song choices.
After my partner and I picked our instrumental song (The Pink Panther), my next step involved picking the section of the song I wanted and researching different paper mechanisms that correlated with the feelings of my song section.
Through my research, I found that I wanted to use a paper mechanism that reveals something (my design). So, I began searching for tutorials on “reveal” paper mechanisms. I found three tutorials that helped me throughout my project.
“How to Make a Pull Tab | Pop-Up Cards” by Howcast on YouTube
“How to Attach a Pull Tab | Pop-Up Cards” by Howcast on YouTube
Exercise
This assignment didn’t have an official exercise; however, after we learned how to make a pull tab mechanism in class, we were tasked with making two different mechanisms to begin our exploration with paper mechanisms. I made an iris mechanism and a “gear-type” mechanism.
Creating these mechanisms helped me begin to understand how to build different types of paper mechanisms. It also helped me understand how different types of mechanics would correlate with different movements.
Iterations
I made a few changes to my design. The first change came in the type of paper mechanisms I was using. I initially wanted to use a big pull tab as my first mechanism and pull it to reveal a “spring” mechanism with the second part of my design on it.
I initially wanted the spring mechanism because I thought that it would help add to the loud, surprise of the instrumental music; however, after more consideration, I decided that I did not like the idea of pulling most of my first design up to reveal the second mechanism. I wanted the second design to lie on top of the first design. I worked backward in picking out my new mechanisms because I felt like having a mechanism that created a feeling of surprise was an important aspect of my design. I went back to researching mechanisms and found a tutorial on how to create apull tab mechanism that had a surprise flip.
I now needed to test this new mechanism
I tested a few different things between my first and second tests. My first test was mainly just seeing how the mechanism worked and if I thought it fit my needs for my design and instrumental part; it did. But I didn’t like how small the mechanism was in the tutorial I watched, so in my second test I scaled up the size to see if it was possible to create a larger mechanism. In this test, I found that this mechanism worked better at a smaller scale because the larger the size of the mechanism, the harder it became to pull the surprising flip out without it getting twisted. The mechanism at a larger scale became really flimsy. I also tested if I would be able to just have my design be the flip surprise, with no backing to it. I found that it was not possible with my design because the legs of the “star” design kept getting stuck during the flip surprise.
To view full mechanism test view PDF
I also tested different designs for the first mechanism and the first part of my design. These tests came when I was figuring out what I wanted my first mechanism to be.
I felt like I want using too complex lines/shapes in my first design; I wanted to use a shape that reflected the simplicity of the music: “light instrument” (flute) and a single sound. So I decided to use circles because they were simple shapes, with round edges. I also want a contrast between the shapes I used in the second part of my design.
Concept Statement
My composition will utilize paper mechanisms and elements and principles of design that convey the feelings and instrumental sound from a section of The Pink Panther song. The composition has paper mechanisms that reveal shapes that correlate with the feelings and instrumentals of my chosen section in an abstract way. My composition focuses on the elements and principles of shape, contrast, and color. Color and contrast help create more of a dramatic reveal in my paper mechanisms. Shape and color help convey the feelings and emotions of the instrumental section in an abstract way. Shape in my first mechanism is used to create a moving sensation with the circles jumping from window to window and then a prolonged movement in the last window to match the more elongated instrumental sound. Shape and color in my second mechanism are used to create a loud chaotic sensation to match the feelings created by the instrumental sounds of the music. Simple shapes with black and white colors are used in the first mechanism and more complex shapes with warm, bright colors are used in the second mechanism to match the complexity of the instrumental sound. My partner and I contrasted in the type of mechanisms used but harmonized in the use of the mechanisms (reveal), use of color, and shapes within our compositions.
Production
To view more production pictures view PDF
Intentions Behind a Few of my Design Choices:
- Paper Mechanisms
- My partner and I both agreed on using mechanisms that revealed something; however, we wanted to contrast with the type of mechanisms we were using. Brianna chose a circular mechanism and I choose to use pull tab mechanisms. Although a circular mechanism could have worked for the section I chose, because it is a repetitive rhythm in the song, I chose to use pull tab mechanisms. Pull tabs are relatively simple mechanisms. The first part of my song is a simple rhythm: only a repeating beat in the background and the instrument. I wanted my mechanism to also reflect the simplicity of the instruments. I was also able to show the repetitive rhythm of the song by using six pull tab mechanism. Even though pull tabs show a start and stop movement, having six of the movements still conveys the repetitive nature of the section I chose and the rhythm of the song. These six pull tabs also have “windows” to reveal my design. I wanted my first mechanism and design to create a moving sensation. The circles jump from window to window and then show a prolonged movement in a line in the last window to match the more elongated instrumental sound. My second mechanism is still a pull tab mechanism, but it is slightly more complex to correlate with the more complex sound at the end of the section I chose. The end of my section also has a loud burst of instrumentals that only happens once in the song. This mechanism is something that cannot easily be repeated, adding to the aspect that the instrumental it matches which only happens once in the song. And it is something that can be pulled quickly to translate the surprise of the instrumentals.
- Shape
- Shape was an element that my partner and I each chose to focus on to harmonize our designs. I chose to use simple shapes (circles) in my first mechanism to match the simplicity of the section of the song it matched with. The section has a flute-sounding instrument, so I felt like I needed a rounded shape to match the softness of the sound a flute makes. But I didn’t want to use “blobby” shapes because that didn’t match the way the instrument was played: one note. I felt like circles were the best option for me to match the simple sounds of the first part of my section. The second mechanism and part of my song are much more complex, so I needed to use a more complex shape. I chose to use a “burst” type shape for this part of my design. The shapes have points and edges to them, which match the harsh trumpet sounds. I also need a strong, loud shape to match the energy of the instruments and the feelings they emit. These shapes also contrast with the first part of my design, which matches the contrast between the sounds and instruments heard in the section I chose.
- Color
- Color was another element that my partner and I chose to each focus on the harmonize our designs. We decided to use black and white and then a “pop” of color in the reveal aspect of our mechanisms. I knew I did not want to use any color in my first reveal mechanism, I wanted to save the color for my second mechanism to add to the surprise aspect of the instruments and the mechanism. I wanted to use bright, warm colors in the second part of my design. I feel as if warm colors have more energy to them, and I wanted to match the energy of the instruments.
Overall, I am very happy with the piece I created. I feel as if it matches the feelings and instruments of the section I chose. I worked hard and thought through many different possibilities to find mechanisms that would match the song perfectly. The beginning of this assignment was a bit of a struggle because it was hard to get going and create a cohesive concept; however, as my partner and I thought through ideas we eventually landed on the concept we have now. I created the mechanism over and over again in order to have a clean final product. I am very happy with the craft of my final product. I am very happy with the progress I am making, and I can see myself understanding how to better use the principle and elements of design.