Virtual Environments Module Four Week 10

Virtual Environments (ENVS 10008) Module Four: Reflection - Week 10 Catherine Mei Min Woo 562729 Semester 2/2012 Group 13

Natural Process: Creepers “Epaulette/Scarf/Shawl” Inspired by the complex physical structure of creepers, which supports itsef when provided a surface to utilize The idea of stringing lights together to form fairylights can be adapted to reflect the aesthetic nature of creepers in full bloom

Diagram 3.1 Diagram 3.1: An example of how fairy lights are used in photography to accentuate shadowing as well as an unusual distribution of light for aesthetic purposes. Also, such concepts of natural scarves are used in tribal communities for aesthetic and cultural purposes

The idea of making a structure that can be draped across various structures and still hold it’s own form has been integrated into existing designs seen in bags, baskets and clothing By adapting such complexity to the traditional accessories eg. epaulettes/ scarves/shawls can be reinterpreted into more elaborate deisgns and patterns for this task

Diagram 5.1

Diagram 4.1 Diagram 4.1: indicates how the creepers can be reinterpreted as a complex but self-supportive structure, which allows the posibilitiy of creating an unusual but wearable complex structure

Diagram 5.2

Diagram 5.3

Diagram 5.1-5.3: Examples of how the complexity can be adapted into the epaulette/scarf/shawl as inspired from similar sccesories as pictured on the left

Natural Process: Stalactites Statement necklace Inspired by the structure of the stalactites, acessories based on this structure may prove intriguing Vertical cone shaped structures of the stalactites may also serve as a good light neutralizer for thinner/sheer material

Image 3.1 Image 3.1: Pictures of existing designs for accesories currently in the market known as statment pieces due to their aesthetic presence and bulk

By analyzing the texture of stalactites provides an interesting pattern base to develop (uneven but smooth and solid)

Image 4.1 Image 4.1: indicates how the area that can serve as support can be utilized by the cone shaped structures and can be reinterpreted as either, an entire piece or making use of the area around it

Image 5.1

Image 5.2

Image 5.3

Image 5.1-5.3: Examples of how the cones can be adapted into the statement necklaces as inspired from the accessories as pictured on the left

Natural Process: Death “Death” Occurs when a living organism/cell permanently terminates the biological functions that sustain the living organism The process whereby biological changes occur after reaching maturity is known as senescence/biological aging Structrual rigidity of plants reduce and cause them to appear limp/wilt due to structural changes caused by aging Humans experience the same structual changes to their bone and muscle structure

Figure 1.1

When an organism dies and lose structural control, gravity pulls them towards the earths surface, forcing cantelivering organisms to ‘bend’ downwards

Figure 1.2

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2 Figure 1.1-1.2: Diagram of a wilting plant and the curvature that is found to exist in the organisms death, which is also seen in Figure 2.1-2.3: whereby the same pattern exists in other organisms eg.

Humans.

Figure 2.3

Natural Process: Death Headpiece Inspired by the psychological ties connected to the process of death and the physical curvature of dead/dying organisms Death can be precieved as a looming shadow and unavoidable, hence ominous and threatening

Figure 3.1 Figure 3.1: Illustrates the difference in psychological perception towards the process of death. Both are contrasting as one can be considered a “looming/ominous” event that is physically represented as a shadow whereas it can also be uplifting and bright, like a lantern

The idea of shadows brings about interesting pattern centric possibilities for shadowing of the headpiece Death can also be precieved as the last stage of mortal enlightenment, hence ties into the lantern concept By adapting the curvature to the headpiece, traditional headpieces eg. hats can be reinterpreted into more elaborate deisgns and patterns for this task

Figure 5.1

Figure 4.1 Figure 4.1: indicates how the curvature can be reinterpreted as a “looming” or cantelivering structure, which allows the posibilitiy of creating “looming shadows” to tie in with the theme while creating opportunities for pattern implication

Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3

Figure 5.1-5.3: Examples of how the curvature can be adapted into the headpiece as inspired from the headpieces as pictured on the left

Natural Process: Death “Death�

The curvature of dead/dying organisms is the primary structure that makes up the design by this theme The basic composition of the structure would focus on capturing the curvature of a dead/dying organism The pattern is further derived from dead/ dying organisms through the analysis of decomposition of organic matter Principles of paneling suggest creating seemingly random patterns through a systematic process, may be able to successfully translate the desired pattern onto the design

Figure 1.1

Precidents include decaying organic matter as well as facade mesh/screen patterns found in contemporary architecture in locations such as Pittsburgh

Figure 1.2

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2 Figure 1.1-1.2: Images of existing architectural structures that make use of patterns Figure 2.1-2.3: further examples of decaying organisms and the patterns created

Figure 2.3

Natural Process: Death Headpiece Inspired by the psychological ties connected to the process of death and the physical curvature of dead/dying organisms Furthering the idea of “looming”, the affects of the shadows cast upon by the proposed sketch models successfull create the desired outcome

Figure 3.1 Figure 3.1: Sketch models displaying two sketch designs

Furthering the idea of “enlightenment”, integration of LED lights into the design would create interesting results after incorporating patterns By adapting the curvature to the headpiece, traditional headpieces eg. hats can be reinterpreted into more elaborate deisgns and patterns for this task

Figure 4.1 Figure 4.1: indicates how the curvature can be reinterpreted as a “looming” or cantelivering structure, which allows the posibilitiy of creating “looming shadows” to tie in with the theme while creating opportunities for pattern implication

Figure 5.1

Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3

Figure 5.1-5.3: Examples of how the curvature can be adapted into the headpiece as inspired from the headpieces as pictured on the left

Experimentation: Form Shadows Design 1

Design 2

Experimentation: Form Shadows Design 3

Playing with shadows to emphasize the idea of looming & enlightenment is possible with various designs

Design 4

Precidents: Pattern

Decaying leaf shadow

Physalis alkekengi

Existing light shadowing

Rovi Lau Sem 1 2012

Form: Key Elements Curvature & Shadow casting

Death

Final Design Headpiece

Death

Digitization trials Death The tehnique used for contouring the model is known as tracing non-sectional curves.

This technique is useful for translating unique curvature of the modeled image into Rhino.

Translation of the model with this technique was successful.

However, this technique met with some difficulties: Joining points at a common point (eg, end point of the curvature) Lofting proved to be complicated, as the contours were not even and hence caused irregularities.

Inappropriate contouring caused the model to lose its shape and resulting in the rendering of the unique curvature to be inaccurate.

Attempted sectioning of the model to build the key components separately. The model has been divided into the left flank, top flank and right flank in purple, red and blue respectively.

Digitization trials Death

Rendered model as seen from orthographic views. The models are contrasted with white and black backgrounds respectively for varied emphaiss of curvature and structure under different circumstances.

Perspective of basic shape Death

After many trial and errors, the perspective of the basic shape of the model was finally digitized, as pictured in the picture on the left.

The design was eventually broken down into it’s basic contures and railed in Rhino and resulting in this final outcome. A combination of contouring methods, essentially the hybrid of all 3 methods outlined by the tutorials as well as assistance from tutors, the design was eventually translated, whilst retaining the key features of the design: The idea of death as a ‘looming’ yet ‘enlightening concept, the abiility to cast shadows/shadow play as well as the physical curvature of dead or dying organisms.

2D Paneling for the exterior Death

The exterior design was intended to have made use of 2D paneling, as to emphasize on the idea of creating shadows from the interor 3D paneling while retaining the sense of a ‘looming structure’.

A simple pyramid 2D paneling was applied onto the surface to produce the image on the left.

Perspective of 2D paneling unrolling Death

The exterior 2D paneling was exploded, and grouped according to its respective segregated sections.

Each section was then unrolled respectively for nesting and printing.

Finalized nesting layout Death To the left is the optimzed nesting layout sent for printing at the Fab Lab The exterior was sent for printing first to ensure the support/exterior dimentsions were accurate as advised by Michelle in the previous tutorial

Assembly & Complications Death Connecting sections: The wings and connections were joined using UHU glue as the predominant adhesive, some tabs were too small (all were measured to the max of 0.5cm) to be secured due to the variation of angles, particularly for cone structures.

Craft tape was used as a replacement to the UHU as a temporary adhesive for to completele construction of the overall model. Bulldog clips were also used to secure the tabs more efficiently.

Completed model Death Version one of the exterior of the model completed as seen in the picture on the left.

Transportation of a model this scale will be complicated as the only modes of transportation available are public transport and a small car.

The solution would be to reduce the scale of the model.

With the scale reduced, the number of paneling should also be reduced to make construction easier.

As for the cone strctures (eg.wings 1 and 2) to make fabrication easier, will be reconstructed into whole cones to prevent odd and uneven joints occuring.

The tabs will also be enlarged for the sake of convenience as an increase to about 1cm will not interfere with the path of light, and infact could be good for mounting of the LEDs.

Paneling issues Death Paneling choice 2: Again, experimentation with the paneling showed although the manual construction of the intended paneling is possible, digitization of the intended models requires a working base strcture for the paneling to be applied to.

This 2nd option was easier to fabricate, both digitally and manually and hence this design will adhere to this paneling design instead.

The solution would be to change the digitized strcture of the model and go from there.