Research:
The background research I needed to conduct was a refresher with trigonometric functions. The three basic trigonometry functions used during this project were:
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- Sin(x)=opposite/hypotenuse
- Cos(x)=adjacent/hypotenuse
- Tan(x)=opposite/adjacent
Exercise 1a: The Perfect Cube
For exercise 1a, we were instructed to create a perfect cube, with each side measuring 3 inches.
Exercise 1b:
For exercise 1b, we were instructed to construct a 3D object using a given template.
Exercise 2:
For exercise 2, we were instructed to construct a scale orthographic drawing of the 3D form from exercise 1b.
Iterations:
The first step we were instructed to take in the iteration process was to translate the 2D shape from Shape Grammar into a simple 3D shape. I took my shape and raised the plan view one inch, like the image shows below.
Next, we were instructed to make at least 3 variations of that 3D shape by playing with the sides and angles. Below are five iterations I made.
Once I had multiple iterations, I narrowed the 3D shape to one option, which is the image that follows.
Production:
Once I had the basic look of my shape figured out, I had to open it up to reveal a rough template. This initial template is shown below.
This initial template posed a great problem to me. When I put it together, the back angles and segments do not line up. I realized that this plan did not work, and that I had to rework it. The next plan I came up with raised the plan view up 2 inches, and angled a similar, smaller shape to the plan view in 6o degrees, rather than just angle it in. The initial plan and rough attempt at the top of the shape are shown below.
This new design for the top allowed me to plan for all the angles to be equivalent to each other. Each angle measured to be 60 degrees. The new template made is shown below.
Upon rebuilding the template, I realized that the back still did not line up correctly. I realized that I had made an error with one of the rear pieces which stopped it from sealing shut. I remeasured the angle and arrived at my final template, which I created in Adobe Illustrator. The final template is as follows:
There are a number of instructions that aid the user with putting the shape together. The instructions are below.
In order to accomplish the final deliverables, I draw this template twice, on two different sheets of Bristol paper. One would become the final clean shape, and the other would become my design for the illusion option. I chose to create the illusion of texture, specifically the metal talking end of a microphone, framed by implied lines. I felt that, for the illusion, it would be most visually appealing if only half of the shape was covered, leaving the remaining sides a blank white. This way, when looking at the shape, the contrast between the textured and un-textured parts is much more apparent. The inspiration of this illusion and my initial process are shown below.
Source: Amazon.com
Once I completed drawing the illusion on the predetermined sides, I folded both templates to reveal the 3D geometric shape. Below are the final 2 shapes, with three different angles of each shape.
Link to 2D to 3D Translation:
View the 2D to 3D Translation project at 2D to 3D Translation.