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.

Fashion Meets Product Design- Week Two

During the second week, my aims were to complete my final design which would then be laser cut. By doing collages using magazine cutouts, I was able to figure out the basic structure of my neck piece and how it would look on the human body. After I had designed my final product, I had to re-create the shapes I wanted to be laser-cut, on Illustrator. It was the first time I was using this program therefore, it was challenging for me. However, after asking my tutor for help and by practicing, I was able to create an illustrator document which was then put in the laser-cutting machine to cut. Since the shape of the neck piece is more reminiscent of Zaha Hadid's style, I chose to make it using gold, mirrored perspex, because it reminds me of a material that Iris Van Herpen would use. Using the laser-cutter was much easier than I expected it to be however, I had to go over my design twice because it was not properly cut. This project got me out of my comfort zone by having to use software I had never used before, experimenting with new materials and using the laser-cutting machine for the first time. I think that the outcome of my final product was successful since it combined both Zaha Hadid and Iris Van Herpen's styles. The only thing that I would do differently if I were to do this project again, would be to manage my time better. Since I used the laser-cutter on the final day of the project, I did not have enough time to put everything together in the way that I wanted to. I had to connect all the shapes using wire since I did not have time to go and buy a gold chain and rings to connect everything. Overall, this was one of the most interesting projects I have done.  

Fashion Meets Product Design Project- Week One

For this project, the aim to produce a final product, using the laser-cutting machine, which would be a collaboration between two existing designers. On the first day, we visited the Design Museum where we got the opportunity to see Paul Smith's exhibition. We got an inside on how he started out, his inspirations and his work in general. Something that really caught my interest was one of his quotes saying "Ideas can come from anywhere- you can take inspiration from anything". Even though Paul Smith started off as a fashion designer, throughout his career he collaborated with loads of other designers and companies, such as The Rug Company, Triumph Motorbikes, Evian and many more. This made me realize that designers can collaborate to create a final product, while still keeping both their styles. 
Later on that day, we had to go around shops like Selfridges and Liberty, to look out for products that have been made using laser-cut techniques. By doing this, I was able to see a range of materials that other people laser cut for instance, paper, plastic, wood and plexiglass. It also gave me ideas on how to design my final product. 

For my final product, I decided to design a neck piece, which would be a collaboration between Zaha Hadid and Iris Van Herpen. I found it challenging at first since the styles these two designers are completely different. However, after researching their works, I noticed that both designers use abstract shapes that do not follow a certain pattern. Therefore, for the rest of the week, I was trying to extract shapes from both their designs. By experimenting with collages and sketching, I was able to come come up with various shapes that I could later on use in my design.  

3DD- Project Two- Week Two

During the final week of our project, we had to put our ideas together and create a prototype of our final product. For my one, I chose to use wood, since it would mimic the shape of felt tip pens. I really liked the structure of the final outcome  however, the shelves were not horizontal and therefore, if any objects were to be placed on them, they would fall. In addition, we had to choose the right material for our product, if it were to be made in real life. My inspiration was Dan Flavin's Fluorescent Tubes. I thought that by  using fluorescent tubes for the main structure, it would mimic the different colors of the felt tip pens. However, the shelves would be made out of a different material, such as plastic, in order for them to be strong enough to hold items.

I was pleased with the final outcome of my prototype however, after presenting my final product to my classmates and tutor, I got some feedback which will help me improve my product. Since the shelves are made out of triangular panels, this product would not be suitable for a house because it would be dangerous. Therefore, I thought that if the shelving unit were to be larger and have more shelves, it could be a display in a store.

In general, this project was interesting, since I got the opportunity to learn from the mistakes I did while creating my prototype and learn more about materials and other designers. I really liked my design, however, If I had researched more into it, the outcome would have been better. 

3DD- Project Two- Week One

On the first day of our second project, everyone was given a different object and the aim was to get inspiration from it and finally create a final piece. The object I got given, was felt tip pens. At first, I observed the pens and thought that I could use both their shape, as well as their different colors.I tried experimenting, by gluing the pens together in order to create different forms and shapes. By taking photos of the form I created, in different angles, I was able to get different shapes out of it, which later on helped me create my designs After trying out various designs, such as a table, a floor lamp and a coat hanger. My initial idea was to create a coat hanger, but after trying to make a prototype, I realized that this plan wouldn't work, since the structure was not suitable for it. Therefore, I decided to create a shelving unit. This helped me realize that by making prototypes of the product I wanted to make, helped me understand more about the structure of the object and gave me the opportunity to improve it.      

3DD- Project One- Week Two

During the second week, we had to create a final product, inspired out of one of the objects we created in week one, and then present it in front of our classmates. After doing various sketches and ideas for my final product, I decided that I was going to design a flower pot. What I did, was to take the original drawing I did and tried to develop the design even more. I tried different variations of it and when I was finally happy with the design, I had to do a prototype of how the final outcome would look like. My flower pot was made out of different triangular panels therefore, I decided to create my maquette using cardboard since it is a material which is easy to manipulate. The model I created was life-size and this helped me show all dimensions of it. I was pleased with the outcome, since it portrayed, in a way, how my product would look like if I were to produce it. 

After producing my prototype, I researched into different artists and designers, including Michael Anastassiades and Cedric Ragot, in order to learn more about materials and techniques used to create products. After doing my research, I decided that my product would be made out of oxidized copper, if it were made in real life. The reason why I picked this material was because I really like the effect that oxidization has on the copper and I thought that the contrast between my modern design and the aging effect of the material would look good. 

On the last day of the second week, everyone had to present the process and final outcome of their project. The feed back I got for my product were good however, the only observation my tutor had was that if I used oxidized copper, my product would be harmful, since it will be very sharp. This made me think of different ways I could fix it. For instance, I could have made the edges of it more circular, or even use a safer material, such as plastic. 

I really enjoyed this project since it gave me the opportunity to go through all stages of design. We had to find inspiration from somewhere, make sketches, designs and prototypes and in the end, we had to sell our product to our classmates and tutor. Taking advice and critiques from others, helped me find ways in which I can improve my product and I think this was very important for me personally.  

3DD- Project One- Week One

During the first week of 3D Design, we started creating three- dimensional forms using different materials such as cardboard, straws, wood, wire and plastic. The aim was not to create something specific, but to try and experiment with shape and form, as much as possible. At first, I started using only one type of material for each object however, when I started combining more than one material together, I noticed that the final outcome was more unique and interesting. In some of them, I used a glue gun in order to connect all the parts together and this gave a more clean-cut to the form. But when I used other things, such as tape,  to connect everything, I found out that it was becoming part of the aesthetic of the object. I am pleased with most of the three-dimensional forms I created however, I think that I could have experimented more with materials. 

Later on during the week, we had to do some drawing observations of our creations and this allowed me to view my objects in different angles and to become more familiar with their three-dimensional form. This helped me later on, when we had to transform our objects into products. 

Since I want to study Product Design next year, I tried to transform each one of my three-dimensional forms into a product. I did not want to be specific as to what I was going to design therefore, at first, I tried transforming them into various products, such as bookcases, tables, accessories and many more. This gave me the opportunity to explore the forms more and to get an understanding of the world of design. I really enjoyed this week since it made me think out of the box in order to create my designs. In addition, I realize that you can get inspiration from everywhere and I believe that this is try important because it will help we in my future projects.