3DD - Design Structures

 On day one of the 3D-Design transition we were asked to draw a series of random doodles into our sketchbooks and then turn them into functioning 3D objects. For example we were asked to draw 10 dots onto a page, once we had done that we were asked to turn it into the floor plan of a 2 bedroom house by connecting the dots together. The point of this exercise was broaden our imagination and challenge any preconceptions we had of a certain object.An example given was "If i told you all to design a kettle, you'd all just draw a standard kettle, but if i ask you to turn a doodle into a kettle it appears more interesting and dynamic." I found the task extremely interesting and fun, i didn't think that working in such a way would produce such interesting results, but I'm glad i took part in this exercise because now i have gained the skill of creating and thinking non conventionally to produce organic and refreshing results/designs.

The second exercise we were given was to invent a 3D structure that would support a large water bottle at least 20cm off a surface whilst maintaining an aesthetically pleasing / interesting look. We were given one sheet of A1 paper and a short length of masking tape to create this structure, i thought of ways in which i could design something that did not require any masking tape or cutting, this is because these two methods will weaken the paper and result in my structure to collapse. I decided to create an Origami Chinese Water-bomb, this is a structure originally made from paper and used to withstand water, the process of making it requires no cutting or sticking and holds its self together. When the two dimentional shape is created all you need to do is blow into the small hole to inflate the 2D structure into a 3D structure. I decorated each side of the water bomb with a different colour just to make it look more interesting than just a cube and then i photographed it from different angles to capture different aspects.

When photographing it i used small architectural figures in some of my photographs to imply that it was actually an architectural structure, i manipulated the lighting to exaggerate certain qualities of the design, and to show the architectural figures in a naturalistic way. The images i have taken remind me somewhat of cubic architectural structures that appear on the program grand designs. Although i think that i could have my my 3D structure more architecturally interesting, i am happy with my results, i haven't overcomplicated anything and sometimes less is more. My 3D structure did in fact hold up the water bottle, i think its due to not overcomplicating the idea  and using folds rather than cuts.

(Images of 3D Paper Structure, Author's Own)

The final exercise we were given was to use a maximum of 4 sheets of cardboard to create a 3D structure at least 30cm off the ground that could support our own weight. When i was designing my structure i had to consider something practical that would support my weight at the same time as making it look interesting and aesthetically pleasing. I created a structure that looks similar to the AOL logo, the main circular structure in the middle was 30cm off the ground, and the triangular structures on the exterior of the design were put in place to support the circular structure, to finish it off i added a cross like structure in the middle of the circle so that when a surface was placed over the top it would support my weight. The  structure worked well and it held my weight, I took pictures of the structure in many different ways, and used the architectural figures again to imply a different use for the structure, it reminds me of the skeleton of what could be a hotel.

(3D Structure Holding My Weight, Author's Own)