Research:
- The majority of this project was purely my own research that was conducted throughout the designing process, as I explored and discovered new, improved templates and forms that would lead me to my final compositions.
- To the right is an example that was presented in our class lecture that really stuck out to me and became a common reference throughout the project.
Exercise 1a: The Perfect Cube
Build a perfect 3″ cube out of white Bristol paper
Step 1: By using the template provided in class, I found each side’s measurements and translated them onto Bristol paper using my pencil and ruler.
Step 2: After I translated the template, using my cutting knife I cut each solid black line and scored each tag that was connected to the main shape. Then I used tacky glue to piece together the tabs with their corresponding sides (can be seen in the template image).
Final Product & Reflection:
- After completing the 3D cube, I was not happy with my product. The sides did not align well, there were holes or gaps in between the corresponding paper and ultimately looked nothing like a ‘perfect 3″ cube’
- I learned that some of the sides I did not score enough while on others I scored too much…this lead to unevenness throughout the entire form as each side was not able to smoothly connect to one another. This caused more length on one side of the cube which set off the rest of the sides.
Exercise 1b: 3D Prism
Construct a 3D Prism of the letter F
Step 1: Using the same process that was conducted in exercise 1a, I translated the provided template onto Bristol paper, although this time the template being a bit more complex. Originally, I did not know what shape the template was going to form so I had to use the solid lines, dotted lines and tabs to understand where each part was suppose to connect.
Final Product & Reflection:
- Similar to my 3D cube form, I was not happy with the outcome of this exercise. I felt like my work was sloppy and could’ve definitely been done in a cleaner fashion. But I was aware that constructing this form without knowing what the final image of it would be, made the process of gluing it all together extremely frustrating.
- Not knowing which order you should be gluing each side down became a process in itself as I had to brainstorm a variety of different ways to put sides together without getting my own fingers in the way of each other.
Exercise 2: Orthographic Drawings
Construct 1:1 scale orthographic drawings of the 3D form
- Using the isometric grid, I was able to create/visualize how the 3D form would look on paper. By drawing this form I was able to get a better perspective of the shape and also understand how the template of the form was created. I had to evaluate the elevations and angles the form had as the template was used to communicate those aspects of the shape. For example using the dotted lines on the ‘side view’ in order to show depth while the filled lines show that it is flat.
Iterations
Creating the 3D Form
1. Choosing a Shape
Looking back at my shape grammar composition, I discovered a couple shapes within that I could possibly use for my 3D form. The shape highlighted in green is the one I chose to work with in this project.
2. Finding what I need
I decided to create a small prototype of the shape I chose to work with. By doing this I was able to see potential ways I could arrange the form to make it more interesting and complex. Although it does not look like much, this example was a great tool for exploring different paths I potentially could take with just a basic form. I used the isometric grid in my initial brainstorming as to how I would construct the form. Using this quick sketch, I was able to visualize what I needed to have in my template and decide measurements.
3. Brainstorming Ideas
Once the shape was chosen, I started thinking of ways that I could manipulate the form. I knew I needed to keep one side of the form its original shape but I could do anything I wanted with the 3 other sides. The image to the right consists of my brainstorming for how I could manipulate the shape and finding what the best approach would be.
4. Creation of 3 Rough Models
- Model #1: I visualized each side of the shape going in toward one central point. I measured out a 3 inch tab on each side of the basic form, thinking that because each side had the same measurement then they would all meet at the same point…I was wrong. This model is what I created by having the same measurement on each tab.
- Model #2: After my first attempt did not work as I had thought/planned. I used that model and added onto the back of it. I thought maybe it would be cool if the whole back of the shape slanted downward, acting as if it was a clean slate that could easily be slid down by a human (almost like a big, borderless slide). I added a triangle and rectangle onto the previous model to try and make my visualization come somewhat to life, just getting the general idea of what it could look like.
- Model #3: I decided to revisit my initial idea of having the tabs of the original shape meet at one central point. This time I measured the distance from each point of the shape to the middle (or halfway mark) of the shape. By doing this, I guaranteed that it was going to meet in one general area, even if the measurements were slightly off. This example shows my first attempt.
Creating the Template for Chosen Model:
- I decided to go with my model #3 as my final composition idea. I used the same method in creating the form but this time using specific measurements and angles that were symmetric to one another, assuring myself that the connecting sides would match in length and width.
- In this phase, I realized that putting a 2″ tab on the two angles that meet together in the middle of the original shape (sides K and H on the template), was not going to work as they would be overlapping each other on the template. So I moved the tabs to the long, top left and right tabs that are skinnier and act as the northwest side of the 3D form.
Product from this Practice Template:
- I learned from this product that my idea and solutions had worked and now it came down to perfecting the craft and making sure I had the correct measurements and angles so that I could create more copies of the exact form.
** TO SEE ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES OF EACH MODEL, CLICK THE LINK** Additional Perspective Images of Models
Creating the Modularity Option #1
Step 1:
I chose to do option #1 Modularity as my second form. My original idea for this was to create 4 copies of my final 3D form and put them together so that the pointed sides all met together, almost looking like a pie. Once I had put the forms together, they did not connect to gather as well as I would have wanted. So I continued moving around the forms with my hands just to see how different sides would connect with each other.
Step 2:
Since I used 4 rough 3D forms when brainstorming how I would connect all of them, it was a little difficult to fully visualize how the final modularity product would look but by taping them together, it became a little easier to understand.
Step 3:
My only obstacle with this form was how I would be able to keep it stable as the only connection these 4 forms had were with their edges. After some further thinking and experimenting, I concluded that adding a piece of scored Bristol paper in between the edges would add stability to the form while also letting the 4 separate forms lay somewhat loosely with their natural angle.
Production:
FINAL TEMPLATE
FINAL 3D FORM COMPOSITION
FINAL OPTION FORM: MODULARITY
Comparison of the two forms:
I now look at the first 3D form as only a piece, of the whole. The second composition (Modularity) makes me feel that the design has come full circle as it not only works together to become a complete shape but it also brings out negative space that adds to the piece’s entirety. The first form is very one directional but the second form disperses in multiple directions, almost reminding me of the planes that are shown in the movie, Star Wars, which I think is a cool way to think of it!
Reflection:
- I actually really enjoyed the process of this project. I was able to start and end this project all based on my own ideas and I surprised myself with abilities that I had no idea I have. Although, this was probably one of the most stressful projects I’ve done so far, I’m happy with the design that I came up with and produced.
- I’m still aware that my craft could and will get better with the more practice I get. But I am happy with my efforts and used what I learned from the previous project to help guide myself through this project. I pushed and stretched myself more than I ever have before and it ultimately made me feel more confident in the work I was doing.
Link to Portfolio Project: 2D to 3D Translation