3DD- Project Three

Over the Christmas holidays, we got given five different categories: minimalism, conceptual, modernism, abstract and digital, to research into. After that, we had to choose one of them and design a product based on the disciplines of the category. Abstract was the one which caught my interest the most and this because I like the idea of seeking to create something that achieves its effect through shapes, colors and textures. On the first day of the project, we had to visit the V&A and take photographs of things that we thought would fit in our chosen category. Later on, I researched into different designers who have an abstract style for instance, Shiro Kuramata, Thomas Heatherwick and Ron Arad. By researching, I was able to find out about materials that designers manipulate, in order to create an abstract final product, which still serves its purpose. For my final product, I chose to design a shelving unit. I noticed that loads of designers, such as Peter Marigold,use shapes and combine them to design an abstract design. Therefore, I thought I could design a shelving unit, made out of geometric shapes. The shape I chose was inspired books and the way you can open them. 

Later on, I took some books and opened them in the shape I wanted them to have, and tried out different compositions by rotating them and arranging their positions. The only way I could place them was in an 'L' and a 'V' shape. After seeing which composition worked the best, I made a prototype using foam board.  At first, I thought that if this shelving unit were to be produced in real life, it would have been made out of high gloss colored wood and  people could buy it in various bright colors. However, after presenting my idea in class, some people gave suggested that it would have made it more unique if the bookshelf was actually made out of books. I thought this was great feedback since it helped me find a way in which I can improve my design. 

Even though I like my idea, I am not very pleased with my final design since I think I could have experimented more with shape, as well as material.However,

through this two week project, I managed to expand my knowledge of both artists and materials that are out there and this has helped me gain more knowledge about the product design industry.