Realising where I am

I had a talk with Camilla today and came to a realisation that I was a bit behind in terms of designing. This is due the fact that I have been focusing to much on the technical manufacturing aspect of the work. I found out that it had limited me and where I can take the form forward. I noticed this when I started compromising my design decision to make it possible within the time limit and my technical ability. I decided to give up on trying to make a full-scale model and will be making a scale prototype of my design.

Carpenters workshop gallery

 Vincent Dubourg
I found his work very inspiring. I like the way he observe something that is consider to be ugly ( destruction) and from that he simplifies and put it in his product. I found out that this work is on display at the carpenters workshop gallery......and is still on!!!! So I decided to pay a visit.

Using a vacuum forming method, I created a raised trapezium shape onto the surface of a sheet plastic. Then, I tried flatten down the raised area by reheating and vacuumed in to a flat board. I found that there is a limit on the no. of time it can be reheated. After 3 times, the surface broke. 

What i like about this result is the pattern that was made by the template board and was distort when i flatten the sheet.

Detail of the distorted pattern

I went into the school shop today just to see what new materials i can experiment on. I found this material, alginate. The funny thing is that it was labelled "dentist use only". 

I just discovered that it can cast to such good details.

Bubble from not mixing the alginate and water well

Casting of an expanded polystyrene. I like the pattern of it so I decided to try!

Alginate casting of my hand. I like the way my finger prints are on the cast because it seems to be like my own stamp on the work. I think this could be a good solution to put individuality in my product!

Finger prints are also symbols for identity! It would be a really good idea to have consumers' fingerprints on their product!

After a few days, alginate dries and shrinks. The interesting thing is the piece curves from its initial shape.

Alginate casting of straws

Experiments

I did some experiments that involves mistakes and faults.

Poured wax into a can mould with holes in the base. I like the unpredictable pattern the spillage. If this happens in a production, non of the mass produces good will look the same.

I like the wavy pattern of spilled wax. This was cause by the rippling water that I used for cooling down the wax. 

I also did this experiment in the can. I deliberately pour oil up to only half the depth of the plastic content. This means there is not enough heat to melt the other half. I like how the shaped doesn't take up the exact shape of the mould.

Evaporation of salt water

I left salt water in the mould for 4 days. The mould was set to dry in a slanted position, so the evaporation rate was not consistent. I love the crystal pattern formed on the surface. I can really use this on my final work. And because each crystals are unique and one off, my product would have it individual stamp!