Category Archives: Foundation 3D 1 – G2 (2017)

3D project 4: City of voids – Individual Moodbox

This is the sound analysis based on audacity from the sound that we had created.

 

Individual Moodbox

 

The Dominant

The dominant sound has a clear and elegant vibe which in this case, is represent by acrylic cubes in different shades of blue. 

The clear ringing sound of the resonating tone bars is depicted by the blue acrylic cubes scattered around the model and saturated at the bottom of it. 

The dominant sound can be heard at it loudest in its 1st beat and where it slowly fades and echoes away. This sound motion is represented by the placement the blue acrylic cubes in the model. 

 

The Subdominant

The subdominant sound feels like a subtle sharp, piercing background noise.

The raspy, scraping sound of the finger cymbals is shown through the sharp cones piercing throughout the center tube of the structure. 

It can be heard almost throughout the entire music, which is depicted through the placement of the sharp cones. However, the cones are small and tiny, suggesting that the subdominant sound is soft and subtle; almost not noticeable. 

 

The Subordinate

The subordinate sound is produced through two wood pieces, giving off a heavily dense sound that kind of depicts a temple chanting or nature.

the two blocky beats of the claves is represented by the pieces of wood and green plants that is placed into sections in the middle of the structure.

It can be hear clearly with pauses in between each beat, without the interruptions of the domination and subdominant sounds. This suggest the isolating placement of the subordinate in sections. 

Gaia’s Ikebana: Research, Process and Final

Ikebana Research

Originated in Japan, Ikebana is a Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is express as a form of art; just like how we relate to a painting or sculpture. By using materials such as living leaves, branches, grasses, flowers and a beautifully sculpted plant pot as its base, it is brought together and arranged in a way that relates a closeness with nature. In short, it is an art form where by the arrangement is a living thing connecting nature and humanity together. 

Over the years, ikebana has developed into many different styles of arrangements. 

Popular styles include:

rikka (standing flowers)

seika or shoka (living flowers)

nageire (flung flowers) styles when making arrangements in bowl-shaped vases

moribana (piled-up flowers) style when using dish-like containers

Traditionally, Ikebana is seen in rooms where guests are normally received. However in recent years, they are often seen in living rooms and entrance halls, as well as building lobbies and shop windows. 

The style that I will be venturing into for my final project will be the Moribana style. The word Moribana means “piled up flowers”. In Moribana, flowers are arranged in shallow containers called utsuwa. There are three main types of flowers and branches used in these arrangements. The longest branch, called shin, represents heaven. The medium branch, soe, represents man. And the shortest branch, tai, represents earth. 

There are 3 key points to note when arranging the Moribana style. – Balance, graceful lines, and Minimalism. 

 

 

Lets 1st look at my 2 3D sketch models before I talk more about how I relate my final work with the Moribana style.

3D Sketch Models + 2D Sketch Analysis

Test model 1

The shapes in black shows how the model can be further improved.

Other views of the same model

Test model 2

The shape in black shows how the model can be further improved.

Other views of the same model

 

 

SEASON Mind Map

Taste/ food research

The season that I had randomly drawn was Autumn. In my research, I found out that Japanese peoples’ lives revolve around the country’s four distinct seasons. The climate changes, the landscape changes and the food eaten daily changes as the seasons give way to each other.

Each season has its unique foods. The Japanese believe in aligning their diets and eating habits with the season. In Japan, autumn is known as the best season for hearty eating. It is sometimes called “食欲の秋” ( shokuyoku no aki), which literally means “Autumn Appetite.” Japanese people believe that their appetite increases because of the bountiful amounts of good food during this season.

Below are 2 types of popular food during Autumn 

Yakiimo are simply roasted sweet potatoes, and they are quite possibly the most popular autumn snack in Japan. It can be said that roasted sweet potatoes remind Japanese people of autumn. Street vendors pulling carts and selling roasted potatoes are a staple of autumn in Japan. 

Kabocha, also known as “Japanese pumpkin”, is a common autumn vegetable with tough green skin and orange flesh.  Kabocha is used in a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. Pumpkin desserts such as puddings, pies, muffins, and more, become popular during the fall. They are also cooked in various ways (can be simmered, baked, fried) and served at restaurants and home.

 

Final Display

Although I am exploring Popular Autumn foods in Japan, I wanted to include add a western fusion into my final food display. This is because by doing so, the food will be able to suit the taste of people all over the world while at the same time, learn about Japan’s Autumn food culture. For my dominant, I created a creamy Kabocha pasta. Topped with slices of Kabocha, bacon bits, cheese, and parsley. The pasta is then placed into the bowl-like skin of a Kabocha that acted as a serving bowl. Like every other western dish, the sweet potato acted as a side dish ( which is my subdominant ) and with that, I topped it off with a little sour cream ( in the shape of a cone which acted as my subordinate ). 

Because of the heavy and eye-catching structure of Kabocha pasta at the bottom of the display, Balance was created when I placed a simple looking up-right branch, and include an additional subdominant ( the orange flower) to balance out the heaviness at the bottom. The base plate is a simple white square plate that fits the entire display nicely; which creates minimalism. 

Foundation 3D – Pandora Final Model

 

Experimentation

In the 1st model For my 1st 3D model, I placed the subdominant and subordinate adjacent towards the edge of the dominant, creating more weight and space on one side of the dominant, which makes the other side of the dominant rather empty. In which creates contrast. 

 

In the 2nd model For my 2nd 3D model I placed the dominant between the subdominant and subordinate. The dominant acts as a medium to show the contrast the subdominant and subordinate in each sides of the model. The different length of each object should show a contrasting difference against one another. 

 

Final Model

Word selected from pandora box: Contrast

 

Execution

Contrast can be measure through different types of medium, shapes, sizes, and materials. In this project, I would like to achieve different elements of contrast from each sides of the dominant, subdominant, and subordinate model. 

 

Contrast in Placement

The subdominant and subordinate is placed at the 1/3 length of the dominant. They are also placed perpendicularly to the dominant which creates contrast. 

 

Contrast in Materials

The dominant is made up of acrylic; the strongest material among the rest. While the subordinate is made up of wood (2nd strongest material), and lastly the subdominant is made up of styrofoam (the least stronger material among the rest)

 

Contrast in Length

The length of each of the models are widely contrasted. The length of the subdominant is half the length of the dominant. While the length of the subordinate is less than half the length of the subdominant. 

 

Contrast in Colour 

The dominant in white, act as a neutral based colour that contrasted the subdominant (in blue cool tone) and subordinate (in brown warm tone) when placed in the middle. 

 

Contrast in Colour

A contrast in colour can also be seen at both sides of the model. Where the subordinate being the neutral white colour, dominant having a warm brown tone, and the contrasting subdominant in its blue cool tone.

 

Application

Large scale application: Public Pool


Using my final model, it could be turn into a public pool where the different depths of blocks in the dominant box can determine how shallow the pool is. The subdominant can act as a stairway platform up and down the pool, and the subordinate can be replaced with a jumping board for swimmers to dive into the pool.

 

Small scale application: Ice Dispenser

My final model can also be turn into a ice dispenser where the dominant is where all the ice cubes are stored, the subdominant being the opening of where the ice will be dispense, and the subordinate can be a platform filled with buttons and controls to read the temperature and navigate the machine itself. 

 

Week 2 and 3 – Changes made and introducing foam

 

What are the mistakes and changes made from the first experimentation?

Word Topic: Contrast

BOX 1

The length (height) of the subdominant is almost 2/3 of the dominant, which makes it harder to identify the dominant and subdominant boxes. 

 

Placement of the subordinate also needs to be shifted a little outwards to create more contrast between the spacing and arrangement of the subdominant and subordinate. 

 

In this angle (shown in the image), the sides of the dominant and subdominant are align to each other which do not show contrast in that view angle, thus placement of the subdominant needs to be adjusted. 

 

Therefore Using the styrofoam cutter, I measure and cut out a subdominant box that has a smaller height than the previous one used. This way, it is easier for the naked eyes to identify the boxes between the dominant and subdominant. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BOX 1

 

 

 

 

BOX 2

All sides of the model should show a contrast, and as seen in the image, the subdominant and subordinate looks like they are in line with each other, which does not represent contrast. Therefore one of the changes made was to the arrangement / placement of the subdominant and subordinate. When both boxes are placed further apart, it brings about better contrast between the 2 boxes when placed against the dominant.

 

NEW BOX 2

 

 

 

During the second lesson, I learnt about wedging; to create a negative space to connect the blocks together.

With the 3 surfaces of the unshaded box securing against the shaded box, it provides support and strength to stabilise the shaded structure. I will be experimenting with the wedging method on the foam for both box 1 and 2.

 

Week 1 – Analysing 2D objects

In the first lesson of 3D foundation, we learnt about analysing 2D objects based on their hierarchy, if its symmetrical vs asymmetrical, negative void vs positive mass, identifying the principal axis of the object, rule of third, and colour dominant, subdominant and subordinate.

Below are some key points that I have understand in the first lesson.

  • Qualities of contrasting shapes.  I learnt that objects with parts consisting of different volumes brings  character to the object itself and no two should have the same measurements. Varying the proportions in your design Makes it interesting.

Dominant; largest volume occupying the object itself.  The most interesting and dramatic in character and has the most visual weight

The subdominant complements the dominant in character. The element that is emphasise as a secondary in the object. the middle ground in your composition.

The subordinate makes the design still more interesting by introducing a third visual element and axis.  The least visual weight. It is not as independent as the dominant or subdominant. It should be contrasting, but sensitive to, the other forms. 

  • symmetrical vs asymmetrical: A comparison between both sides of an object being identical or irregular when folded into half.
  • negative void vs positive mass. Space can be either full or empty. A void is an empty volume, while a mass is a filled volume

 

 

This turtle object of mine that I brought to class is actually a flute. The exterior of the object looks symmetrical, however the holes on the front and back of the flute is asymmetrical. The sizing of the holes and position is different. Take a look at the back of the object, the holes are not placed in a single file. I felt that it is design in such manner because it would help the fingers to grip the object steadier and better.

However the sizing of the holes at the back are similar, perhaps the bottom hole could be bigger and more centralise, and maybe colour coded, to be more visually appealing, proportionate, and easier to identify. 

 

Another thing I like about how this object is design is that it is able to sit still when placed on a flat surface, unlike your regular long and rounded flute. You can see from the sides of the turtle (between the turtle’s legs) , the negative voids suggested a larger surface area the the bottom of the object (turtle flute). This enable better stability for the object to hold still. 

Lastly, I felt that the front side of the turtle object is smartly colour coded. Notice that the dominant colour of the turtle is green ( green being pleasing to the eye) , and the holes on the turtle consist more subordinate warm tone colours that does not steal the spot light of the dominant colour, however, the colour codes holes can be easily spotted, identified by the user. 

The word I picked out from the pandora box is “contrast.” I interpret contrast as a comparison of objects based on their form. For example, the size, structure, length, height, colour, depth. A comparison of objects that can be differentiate with our naked eyes. 
Task:
  • Group the boxes in clusters of 3. Based them on dominant, subdominant and subordinate. (XL,M,XS size)
  • Identify Principle axis of each box 
  • Ensure the principle axis of each box is place perpendicular to each other.
  • Explore at least 2 variations of the word  you have (2 3D sketch models + 2D sketch Analysis)

 

 

1st model For my 1st 3D model, I placed the subdominant and subordinate adjacent towards the edge of the dominant, creating more weight and space on one side of the dominant, which makes the other side of the dominant rather empty. In which creates contrast. 

2nd model For my 2nd 3D model I placed the dominant between the subdominant and subordinate. The dominant acts as a medium to show the contrast the subdominant and subordinate in each sides of the model. The different length of each object should show a contrasting difference against one another.