Module 3

Virtual Environments Student Journal Module 3, Fabrication Second Skin Development Kate Moffat, Venus Ng

Initial Development Panel and fold is the system we are working with – paper is the medium.

We then investigated the design idea of skin mutation and scales; using Sommer’s reading to underpin our understanding of personal space.

We developed our first rhino model using sharp angles and lines to imply aggression.

We also looked at the design precedent of origami – looking at folding as a system; pushing the boundaries of paper and the mathematical relationships.

Initial Modelling

123D Modelling

First Prototype

First Prototype + Exploration

Materials: Paper Stickytape Glue All items were hand cut from templates and stickytaped and glued together.

There were issues with the neatness of the joins and the consistency of cuts throughout all of the pieces. There was not much movement or flexibility within the prototype.

Introduction of Colour

After a completely plain coloured first prototype, we experimented with different colours and patterns that would encompass the entire model. There was also discussion given to colouring of the inside and outside of the model, and whether different parts of the model could ‘open up’, such as the elbow area.

Again, printed paper templates were used.

Image: Aegis Hypotension

Exploration of Colours • Light and colour can influence how people perceive the area around them.

•Different light sources affect how the colours of walls and other objects are seen •Carl Jung is most prominently associated with the pioneering stages of colour psychology

Red

Yellow

Green

Blue

Pink

Violet/Purple

Brown

Black

White

Lust

Jealousy

Good Taste

Masculine

Sophisticatio n

Authority

Negative Issues

Competence

Envy

Competence

Sincerity

Sophistication

Sophisticati Sincerity on

Excitement

Happiness

Power

Expensive

Love Table source: wikipedia.com

High quality Corporate

Ruggedness Grief

Fear

Happiness

Purity

Design Concept - Heat Map After the experimentation with different colours and consulation with our tutor, we decided to forge ahead with a ‘heat map’ colour scheme, where our model would correlate with an infrared scan and the colours would be mimicked in our model. This allowed a closer relation to the ‘second skin’ nature of our model.

Personal space is something that is not visible – just like infrared radiation. Our model makes visible what is not visible.

Third Prototype – Heat Map In order to improve on the fabrication of our model, we used the FabLab for our third prototype in order to gain consistency and have more effiency in creating our prototype.

We used watercolours to create our colour gradient, which gave us more control.

Materials: -Koh-i-noor watercolours - 1mm boxboard (Fablab) - Stickytape, glue

Third Prototype – Heat Map

Flaws: -Watercolours weakened the cardboard - Looked more like a rainbow than a heat map - Score lines only allowed folds one way - Stickytape looked messy and modules came apart - Only one side was painted

Final Design - Template Adjustments were made from what we learnt from our last prototype, such as lines were dotted to allow for the fold in a different direction.

Play-doh model

Materials: - Optix Card Black 200GSM - Ivory Card 290GSM - Acrylic paint - Glue

The materials were changed, with Optix Card Black 200GSM used for the connectors and Ivory Card 290GSM for the polygons to make a more sturdy model.

This was as the cardboard was weakened in our previous model when waterpaints were applied.

We hoped to avoid the structural damage by using the ivory card, and the colour black for the connectors was an aesthetic choice.

However, the change in card meant that we had to change our paints to acrylic paints.

Final Design - Fabrication Instead of water colours, acrylic paint was used as the watercolour would not adhere to the new materials used.

Connectors were made out of black card.

Glue was used instead of tape.

Final Model

Both sides of the small modules were painted.

Only three colours, instead of four were utilised to create a more concentrated gradient.

Final Model

Final Model

Final Model

Fabricating further: - Density of modules - Finessing colour gradient, neatness of painting