Final render

In this render I wanted to show the progress that was made throughout my design. The first shows the simple mechanism repeated in a row, giving a very 2D version as it only opens in one direction. The second shows a simple version of the final design. However the last design shows how it has becom complex enough to open easily in both directions and has many mechanisms which allow it do accomplish that.

Final photo

I wanted my final photo to be on a plain background because it is such a complex design. Through this photo I aimed to show the stages of the mechanism opening and closing. On one side you can see how when it is closed the two poles of that side are close together and the mechanism is shut. However when it is opened, the whole model expands to a larger scale, showing free space and dynamic movement.

Trial photos

Side on shows the pattern that is created through my design. However I don't think it shows the difference in the dynamic movement

From above you can see the many parts that are needed to make this mechanism work. Also you can see the pattern that is created and used throughout the design. However I don't think it is as easy to understand the movement that can be achieved through the design.

Sketches

Basic sketches on my original concept and developments within it.

Precedent images 2

 I liked how the straight beams were broken up with the circular hinges and how the repetition works within the design.

The repetition causes a fuller design and creates interest within the object.

Both of these show the idea that I was trying to manipulate for my project. The ball shows how I wanted to use joints to create something that could expand to become larger than originally.

The mirror shows the type of joint I wanted to use, as I didn't want it to be a replica of the Hoberman sphere shown.

Precedent images

At first I thought that I would go in the direction of hinges and a real life thing that was miniturized. However I found that this was too dull and could be manufactured without a 3D printer.

Final Render

Here I drew a parallel to the acrylic used in my laser cut design and tried to show the movement that was present in both.

Final image

I used red wire to connect the layers because the actual wire is straight and contrasts the curving lines of the rest of the design. I feel, therefore, that the red contrasts with the clear acrylic, creating a strong bond between the two

Sketch models

This was an original idea, but I found that it turned out quite boring and was too simple. Even in acrylic it could look dull.

 This shows the general idea of my revised design. It creates an object that has movement- one of the main aspects of my original design. However I feel that the simple half circles may be a little too plain.

 Here you can see how the design would look if it wasn't broken into the two different levels. I feel that this isn't as effective though

 I also wanted to see how the design would look if  the wire that was holding the middle was malleable. This way the design would actually have movement, therefore corresponding to the original iteration.










This shows a two-leveled approach to the design. I think this will be the best way to make it but I think  I will change the size of the circles that are holding each level together. At the moment the bottom one is bigger, but I think I will make them the same size so that they are more cohesive.

Material trials

Here I have shown the different textures and colours that I have tried out for the original iteration. However I found that none of them quite suited the overall feeling I wanted to create.

Sketches

Coloured wire

Although the majority of my design can be slotted together, I will have to connect the two different pieces in some way. To add some colour, to an otherwise plastic design, I have decided to use coloured wires.
So far I have experimented with different colours and also thicknesses. I think it will add another dimension and create interest

Sketch models

Through the use of sketch models I found that my first idea was far too plain. It was simply pieces stacked on top of each other to create the shape that I desired. I was originally going to use colour wire and acrylic to add another dimension, but despite that I feel that it would be far to dull.
Then I tried to make the shape vertically by cascading and fanning around a central circle. I found this was slightly more interesting, but still quite dull.
To fix this problem I chose to use two different layers to the whole object, each cascading around its own central circle. I found this created more of the movement that I wanted and so will try to create something like that for the final.

Precedent images

This lion is a sculpture made by Yong Ho Ji, who uses tire to make art. Although he uses resin, which we cannot use because it's an adhesive, I found this inspiring because it shows how a lot of pieces can be placed together to make one model.

This cup cake stand is a good examnple of how I could use cylinders to attach different levels together

This cardboard wreath displays how you can slot mirrored patterns into each other to create a recurring design.

Pine Cone

I want to use the pine cone as inspiration because shows how there is natural layering used. I like how the layering creates a draw for the eye, which causes you to follow the pattern a certain way.

Precendents

Here is a good example of how you can slot 2D pieces together to make a 3D image, which is what I hope to achieve, but around a central image

This shows the two levels and the way they spiral around. I hope to make my design with these two aspects in mind as I think that they display the aspects of the design that should be most prominent.

Trial Textures

In this image I tried to use an image as the

 texture- in this case I used

 two different water ripples 

Although both still apply to my worlds and relate to the flowing nature of the water and how it reacts, the texture becomes the focus. I believe that it makes them look busy and although the original texture is water, they come out quite harsh. For instance the second image looks like it is stone in some respects.

Final Iteration

81 Iterations

Development 8

Textures

Here I tried to use the texture of stone, 

but felt that it did not suit the flowing design 

This render was preformed using wood as the texture, but again I felt that it did not create the flow that was needed to fit the design.

Trial rendering

In these images I tried to use glass and a black reflective surface with a spotlight. However I found that it made the object really hard to see. The black surface became too shiny and even when I changed the placing it was either too shihny or too dark. The actual material felt very busy and because of the transparency you could see each layer. Although this may work on a simpler design, I do not think that it works her because of the many different spindles

Trial colouring

 In these two instances I have trialed using different filters in the light to create a different atmosphere from plain lighting.

However I think that it merely draws away from the actual image and doesn't help the final presentation. I think that a plain lighting is less limiting and will be more effective.