For the fourth project we had to “improve upon a utilitarian object that will be used to illuminate”.
Process
Before we even started the project we had to make six sculptures using one sheet of Bristol paper. We did this to get a feeling of the Bristol and play around with it to make forms. While doing this I learned that if you cut the paper too thin then it breaks more easily and will rip. ( happened with two of my sculptures) I had fun doing this and just doing what I wanted to do.
Then we were introduced to Design Thinking, which is a process that helps one develop products and strategies. In the Design Thinking process there are five steps, to empathize, to define, to ideate, to prototype, and to test. With Design thinking in mind before actually building our objects we had research first. The questions that helped us with research:
1.What does it mean to illuminate (in your own life)? How might your needs be unique?
To light something up. I want more light in my room, I want it to aesthetically pleasing to me and I want it to match my room.
Craft your own question:
2. How can I bring more light into the room?
Seriously- This is important-what questions can you create for your specific needs? Create a couple more!
3.How can I do it without changing the room it self?
4. How can I make something that helps bring the light in?
3. Where are we going for research? Try to get a range of different kinds on needs.
- Ways to light up a room
2. Ways to light up a room without painting
At first I wanted to make a fixture for the lamp in my room, but all the prototypes I made only made my room darker. So I want back to square one. With the help of Andrea, I found inspiration to make something for the window in my room. I shade have up there is always falling down and doesn’t let any of the sunlight through. She also give me the Idea to look into Mashrabiyas which are screens used in Islamic architecture. The screens are to provide privacy and protection from the sun.
Some examples:
But what I really was inspired by was these lace Mashrabiya screens that MIT Architecture students made.
My Interpretation
What did we discover?
Making the room lighter would be easier if I make something for the window.
How do we interpret this info?
By making something for the window that was not as long and thick so my old shade could let more light in.
What opportunities do you find?
By using element of lace from the Marshrabiya, I could make the “shade” look the way I want it too.
The first thing I did was make a prototype of what the shade could look like. I took Basla wood stick and used it as a kind of rod and glued some tracing paper on it. Then on the tracing paper I made a pattern using the hot glue so when the light shines through it you see the pattern. But after making it I realized that It was two short and I didn’t want to use too much of my tracing paper, so I tried to think of something else. So I tried to make a frame out of Basla wood sticks, but they just would not stay together. Even after I sanded them down and used wood glue, they were not sticking. But then I found a old curtain rod and then I thought about using that. I also got lucky and found an old half curtain that had lace on it which was something I wanted to use in my object.
So I took the lace off of the old curtain and added to the bottom of a single sheet of Bristol paper. Then I cut out the roses that were on the curtain and glued them to the paper. Then I cut out leaf shaped holes around the roses, so that when the sunlight shine through them looked like the roses had leafs. Then I took the part of the curtain that the rod would have went through and glued it To the top of the paper so that the paper could hang on the rod. Then to make it would stay on the rod I put it on the hook and left it there for a couple hours. Luckily it all stayed together, but then I realized that it was crooked, so I had to re-glue the paper to the part of the old curtain.
So after re-gluing the paper, I took the extra lace flowers and glued then next to the where the paper and the cloth met. Them I took some white thread and glued it the top lace flowers and then glued some flowers to the bottom of the thread. Since the thread is white and thin, when the sunlight hits it it looks like there is nothing there. Which makes the flowers look like the are floating in thin air.
Critique
My biggest success was that I made an object that fulfilled all my needs. It lets more light into my room and I like the way it looks. My biggest struggle was actually figuring out how to go about this project. In the beginning I was not really inspired about when inspiration finally hits its the best feeling. I would like any feedback, like always, what I did good and what I need to fix.
Finished Product
I like my finished product, I like how I took an old stained curtains and gave them some new life. I do wish through I had more lace, but I used what I had. I also like how the light shines through the paper and even the lace. Also the roses are my favorite flower and their coal so they match my room, so It was meant to be.
Molly's 3D Design Projects 