Research

To begin, my partner and I collaboratively worked to come up with a concept for our project.

We started by coming up with a pandemic in order to plan our masking form.

>Exercises/Activities

In this exercise, I worked with my table to design a form that communicates fluidity, dynamism, and power which has safety as its priority.

We took the ideas from the left and the right sketches and combined them to create the middle design.

Iterations

In order to start the construction process, we developed a more detailed outline.

My partner and I worked together to make a narrative framework to help with our design intention.

Based on that narrative, I began sketching out my own composition on procreate.

Sweatshirt Iterations

My initial plan was to make a sweatshirt using this template.

Using this fabric as a prototype, I pinned the pieces to a sweatshirt.

After the whole process of pinning it, I realized it would be easier to just sew my fabric onto a sweatshirt rather than going off a template.

Glasses Iterations

I cut through the glasses to make it into two pieces.

To cover the edge of the glasses, I used these holographic bags.

Rather than gluing them down, I tried to blow dry the material to warp onto the glasses.

The blow dryer cause the material to fade and did not stick.

Mask Iterations

I cut this fabric to just use the holographic strips.

My initial plan was to use a disposable mask but I didn’t like how it fit.

Concept Statement

My overall goal for this project is to design and construct a volumetric form that communicates a thematic narrative based on a pandemic of my choice. I collaboratively worked with my partner to create a framework and a design intention to begin our process. Our concept is based on a pandemic from the year 4191, which is the reverse order of when tear gas was first used in 1914 during World War 1. It is called Lacrima Larva, which stands for “tear mask” in latin. We both created our own composition that protects the world from tear gas that is being released through sewers and vents by the government. However, my partner’s design is a mask that is mandated by the government which secretly tracks you, while mine is made to protect and hide from government surveillance. Although we have the same concept, our compositions are very contrasting when they are side by side. My composition is made of three parts; a mask that protects you from inhaling tear gas, safety goggles that magnetize together to protect your eyes, and a hoodie that hides the rest of your face, all covered with holographic material. I chose to use holographic materials because it interferes with light and reflects back at you. However, I used a variety of different holographic materials to emphasize the sense of touch for each piece. With the use of color and shape, I created a harmonious, three-dimensional form that protects you from tear gas and the government.

Production

Sweatshirt Construction

I took an old sweatshirt and cropped it to use as a base.

I then took this holographic bag to sew onto the sweatshirt.

Beginning with the front, I sewed the material on with white thread.

Once I finished with the front and the back, I sewed the hood using two different pieces.

I cut off the top part of the bag and sewed it onto the end of the sweatshirt.

Then I laced the string back through so it can tie around your arms.

Glasses Construction

I used sandpaper to smooth the edges that were cut.

Once they were smooth, I was able to super glue the magnets to both ends so they would attach evenly.

In order to clean up the edges, I took the same material as the mask and aligned it to wrap around.

Mask Construction

I used the holographic strips and I sewed them all along the mask.

To clean up the edges, I used the extra fabric from the hoodie and aligned it along the edge.

To have the glasses dangle, I use the string from a disposable mask.

I used those strings and tied them around the mask and the glasses.

Final Composition

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Overall, I really enjoyed how open-ended and creative this project was from the start. Now that we have been in a pandemic for a couple of years, it’s been interesting to see how our protections evolved. I used my own experiences and applied some of those ideas to begin my design process. However, once I got to the brainstorming stage, I got caught up in my ideas and had to sacrifice some of my craft. But in the end, it was fun to come up with my own concept and create a three-dimensional form for a pandemic that no one will ever experience.

Portfolio Project

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Ohio State nav bar

Body Augmentation: Process