Virtual Module 2

Virtual Environments Student Journal Module 2, Design Second Skin Development Kate Moffat, Venus Ng

Material System Panel and Fold Panel and fold is the system we are working with, with paper as the medium.

The original object we started out with was a coffee filter. It consists of a fold panel system, where the paper is folded and attached to itself, along the corrugated edges, forming a 4 sided shape. From its flat shape, it can create a volume. With manipulation and other folds, it can produce different volumetric shapes.

Personal Space Exploration per·son·al space Noun The physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which any encroachment feels threatening to or uncomfortable for them.

Personal space is a concept that applies to every individual, and differs slightly depending on the person; however, it is a notion that we find is not given much thought to in daily life. It appears that we often forget the impact and the spatial presence of our bodies – the gestures and subtle behaviours that transmit social cues to others.

It is highly variable, potentially due to cultural differences and personal experiences. Those living in a densely populated area may have a higher tolerance of encroachment of space (Sommer 1969)..

Personal space is valued, and is linked to psychological notions of ownership and violation. In particular, we were interested in the concept of this ‘violation’ with the Sommer reading as our main reference. The chapter is entitled ‘Space Invasion’ for a reason.

Perception is very heavily tied in to personal space, which we found very interesting. Strangers and friends can occupy your personal space and create different reactions and emotions - intimate zone (reserved for lovers, children and close family members) -second zone (conversations with friends, to chat with associates, and in group discussions) -stranger zone (strangers -- audience zone (public speaking)

Brief Second Skin Second Skin: The brief calls for innovative design of a second skin; a wearable volume or surface that accommodates the body. The second skin will explore, measure, and/or negotiate the boundary of personal space The body will form the site of investigation, measurement and intervention.

The second skin project must address the following design criteria: 1. Volume; project must address the 3 dimensionality and the volumetric nature of the body. The design must create an envelope or volume using developable surfaces; a two dimensional solution is not acceptable.

2. The second skin must address the question of personal space.

3. The design must create a spatial or emotional effect. These effects will be showcased in a 30 second performance at the end of semester parade 4. The final object must be fabricated with care and well crafted.

5. Material choice: paper, fabric, ready made object, plastic

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Early Ideas Personal space is a concept that varies according to each individual – however, there are certain general commonalities.

One such interesting observation is that people tend to give a wider berth to those who do not adhere to their definition of ‘normal’. Looking at second skins, the notion of skin diseases or other skin patternings was very interesting, particularly the idea that the mutation of skin can provoke a response of those nearby giving the individual more space. As people are able to tolerate closer presence of a stranger at their side (Sommer 1969) it was decided to utilise the arm for the placement of our second skin.

Irregular scales, flaking of skin

When then sketching our model, we decided to use angles and lines to project a sense of aggression and spikiness; warding people away.

Fish scales

Early Ideas Plan

123d Catch

Elevation

Axonometric

Making Workshop

Paper model 1 We created a section of our model using paper, which will be the medium we use for our final submission. There was a flexibility to our model, however it did not neatly stay together using tape. After creation, we realised that we will have to think carefully about the size of the pyramids and how they will fit together to ensure a fitted wraparound to the arm. The irregularity of the pyramids is another factor that we want to develop.

Play-doh model For the second task, we used play-doh to make a scale model to fit the mannequin. It was possible to form the whole overall curved shape of the model more easily than with our paper trial, however it was almost as if the model was in two parts - the underlying sshape, and the protusions that were joined on top. It lost a lot of the angular look that the paper gave to the model; instead there was roundness and curve. Doing it to scale allowed us to see what it would look like on a human.

Paper model 2 (movement) We returned to paper for the last model, however this time there was an emphasis on trying to create a sense of movement with the paper. After feedback on our first model, we decided to try to create ‘tabs’ which would help with the joining of the small paper pyramid modules. We experimented with contrasts in rigidity/flexibility in the paper. The tabs also gave us more control.

Design Precedent Origami As our material system is panel and fold, and we want to work primarily with paper, we were intrigued by the art of paper folding, called origami. Generally using no adhesives, origami makes skilful use of folding, which results in striking geometric effects. Paper is often seen as a something to draw on – but with origami, paper becomes the art form itself. Not having been exposed to much paper work, we were fascinated to see the creativity that paper allows and the boundaries that origami works push with what is possible with paper.

The origins of origami are not definite, but the Japanese are credited with creating its enduring popularity. ‘Ori’ is the Japanese word for folding, and ‘kami’ is the word for paper.

Paper used to be an expensive medium, but as papermaking methods became cheaper, origami became a popular art for everyone.

There are basic techniques to origami, and Akira Yoshizawa developed a system of folding symbols, allowing users to follow diagrams. This includes diagrams such as valley and mountain folds, pleats and reverse folds. There are differently types of origami, such as modular, wet-fold, action and tessellation origami.

Mathematics is interlinked with this art form, and folding innovations have gained real-life applicability.

The most well known origami model is probably the crane, synonymous with peace, but there are a vast array of folding possibilities, and as the mathematics in this discipline have gained complexity, so have the models.

Modelling

Modelling

Modelling

Prototype

Prototype

Materials: Paper Stickytape Glue Experimentation with our prototype was taken. We utilised different weights of paper and different methods of joining.

Origami was also experimented with , however it did not give the desired effect and was quite complex in execution.

Modules were fabricated in different sizes to get a feel of the ‘irregularity’ of the overall design.