project two : laser cutting

After reiterating the lamp form designed in my initial prototype, I created the laser cutting files needed for the lamp shade.

I then went down to the workshop to get these cut. I decided to do the laser cutting first as it was what I felt most comfortable doing. Although I had a bit of assistance, the laser cutting process was rather breezy.

Here are my actual cuts:

I then began to assemble the lamp to get a physical idea of the form and dimensions. This was a pretty easy process, slotting the planes into the circular bases.

While I was doing this, I got a bit inspired and started playing around with different heights and ways that I could change the shape of the lamp shade. In the end, I just stuck to my original design.

My initial idea was to thread a fibre through the branches of the shade in order to get some cool lighting effects.

However, it turned out that I hadn't quite thought this through properly when making the design because it was really difficult to thread the pieces when they were all in place. So I ended up ditching that idea - it'll be something I'll explore in the next project.

This was the lamp shade when it was all put together. I actually quite like the look of the holes in each piece, adding a bit of detail to the object.

weekly challenge : five

This is a laser cut leaf shape that I produced for this challenge. First I sketched a simple shape of a life, scanned that image and transferred it into Adobe Illustrator. I used live trace to get an outline of the sketch which I could then laser cut.

Here is the final cut:

I could have probably added a bit more detail to the leaf using etching - something I may look into for my lamp design.

project two : initial prototype

This is my initial prototype - just made by sing foam board and card.

The first issue I came across was that the base I am planning to use doesn't really accommodate the light bulb I have. I may need to look into altering the 3D print file I have so that it does work for the bulb I have, or to get a new bulb.

I'm not extremely happy with the design of the lamp, but I can still play around with the form and see how it goes from here.

project two : inspiration

I've been looking at different ways that lamp shades can influence how light is dispersed. These are some simple models that utilise laser cutting.

weekly challenge : four

For this challenge, we were asked to 3D print a model we had created in the last weekly challenge. Since I didn't do last weeks challenge, I just downloaded a file from the internet and attempted to print that.

I decided I might as well try print a piece that I will use in my object, which is a lamp. I am planning on 3D printing the base for it. I found the file download here where the base is used for a lighted vase holder.

Here is my first attempt:

So it didn't really go to plan... Half way through the print the filament stopped extruding from the printer and I'm not really sure why... It will be something I have to ask about in our next studio session.

However, I think finally getting something (although it's shit) printed is a step in the right direction for this project. I'm now a little bit more confident in using the printers and it's probably better that I find out that these weird things happen now as opposed to later!

live theory : manifesto : draft manifesto

So here is my draft manifesto. I'm still not sure if I want to extend on my manifesto concepts. While I feel that they need to be explained a bit better, I do want the reader to be able to interpret them however they like - to "design" them themselves. I think this has made my assignment a wee bit harder as I am constantly trying to allow for as much adaptability and personal interpretation as I can. It's a bit tricky designing something that the user actually designs!

I still haven't got much of an idea about what my manifestation should be.. (eeeeeek) which is a problem since it's due next week. In order for the physical object to embody my manifesto ideas, it needs to be something that allows for user adaptability and customization, allowing for individual identity to be communicated through new users. My initial idea was some sort of building blocks where people could do what they liked with them, but I still don't think this idea embodies my manifesto too well. So I am still a bit stuck.

I have also played with the idea of producing more of a "guidebook" for the everyday designer in stead of an actual object. This guidebook would too need to express the concepts outlined in my manifesto too. I thought of maybe making it so it can be read in whatever way the reader wants to. But i'm really not that sure.. 

So, I have a lot of work to do! I need to just start doing and stop thinking!

Currently, I know that my design needs to be:

- adaptability, it needs to be pliable in order for the user to manipulate it and use it as to how they see fit

- customisable, in order to reflect the users individual identity, and to grow with it

I also currently know that I need to answer these questions in order to produce a successful design and manifesto:

- why is adaptability and customisation important? What will it achieve?

- does this or how does this make design better?

- how can this be achieved/commuincated through design? Eg. materials, technologies used

live theory : RAP 9

I found Margret's lecture about manifesto's really interesting and really useful. I was actually quite inspired by her lecture - it got me excited about doing my own manifesto! The main points of the lecture for me were the ones about how to write a manifesto, what it should accomplish, how it should make people feel and that it should call people to take action. Our manifestos are about what WE care about as designers, and really let us do whatever we want, something  that we are not always allowed to do at university as we are always trying to meet a certain brief. We can finally do something that we are truly passionate about, and communicate this to others and this makes me excited.. but a bit scared too.