Clearly depicting a transition in a story is a critical element in comic illustrations, as this helps the reader connect the meaning behind the two frames. With this said, for this project we focused on creating two transitional comic like panels that represent two different types of transitions that encompasses the topic of Time.
Materials Used:
Mount Board
Glue
Water colour
Ink
Paper
Process:
In order to understand the basic concepts of transitional panels, we began by reading “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud. The reading unraveled for this projects the six different types of transitional panels and how they are illustrated. For the next step, we then had to select two types of transition panels and discussing possible ideas that we could illustrate based on the type of panels we would like to illustrate.
Once I was certain on what I wanted to illustrate I began sketching out the drawings in a frames. I decided to work around “Moment to Moment Transition” & “Scene to Scene Transition.” Using a micro inked pen I outlined the sketches and erased of the pencil lines. I then began painting the background using water colours and slowly working my way towards the central figures.
For the final step we scanned and drawings and had them laser print. The print was then carefully mounted on to a board.
The above panel illustrates a women gazing out a balcony door as she appreciates the little things in life. She is shown holding a glass of wine as the drink is often associated to celebration.The above panel is an illustration that signifies that sometimes you have to let go of the things you love but are toxic in order to make yourself stronger. The panels also suggest that with time all wounds heal
The purpose of this project was to find a topic that was personally important and challenging for us. However, the topic needed to build a relation to our understanding of Visual Culture. We were also required to create a printed matter like a zine or poster in relation to our studio work.
Context:
On March 30th 2017 students at the New school protested for a safe space for students of colour (SOC). The safe space was to place in which students of colour had jurisdiction over a largely white populated gaze. Now being a student of colour I could recognise how apparent the issue is and that there needs to be some sort of affirmative action to be taken place. However, in my opinion having a space only for students colour may not necessarily be the right path of addressing the issue. With this in mind I decided to focus on the portrayal of minority ethnic groups.
Going to a school like Parsons that is quite art driven and has an emphasis in fashion I wanted to create an illustration of people of colour walking the runway. This is because diversity in fashion is tremendously, critically important. Whitewashing in industries like the fashion world extends far beyond the runway as it plays a critical role in on society at how we see things. If we all become inclusive, we start seeing things in a different way, and it’s actually a better feeling. According to https://jezebel.com/new-york-fashion-week-diversity-talks-but-white-faces-1522416724 a online blog Unfortunately, the comparison too the number of white models on a runway show to that of coloured is quite distinct, there hasn’t been a drastic difference on the runways.
Hence I decided to create a piece that showcases people of colour from different cultural backgrounds who have walked the runway with pride. For which I create a hologram in which we could see models of colour walking. The purpose of creating an transparent glass hologram is used to symbolise that of the space protested in the university for students of colour. Juxtaposing this idea that the glass model encompasses the people from breaking boundaries and stepping outside of this safe space and also is a form of self segregation. In the background I also had the song “Imagine” by John Legend. The hologram was also placed in top of three drawing books, this stood as a metaphor for using ones artistic nature to bing about change societies perception through design.
Materials:
Plexi Glass
Glue
Adobe photoshop
Primier Pro
Cardboard box
Adobe illustrator
Paper
Laser printer
Black ink pen
Blanket
Books
Process:
I first began by watching runway clips of famous brands and looking for models in their show that had models of colour, A lot of these clips were from youtube as seen in the image below.
Interestingly, there were very few models of colours from bigger brands and their appearance on screen was shorter compared to their colleges. I then started looking into smaller designers this step was also a bit difficult because I had to select images from the same angle and size. When I finally found a couple videos that I knew I could use I then took a screenshot of every step.
Once I was able to collect a set of images the next step was to crop out the background using the pen tool on adobe photoshop and then saving it as a PNG, this step helped in having the just the figure appear as visible in the images below.
This step was repeated with several times
Using these images wit photoshop I created a GIF form the images in order to illustrate the models moving.
I then focused on building the hologram using plexi glass. As I planned on using an Ipad to illustrate the figures I was able to calculate the exact size of how big I wanted to make my hologram by using the template as seen in the image below.
Each of the sides were converted into inches and the dimensions were remeasured accordingly to the size of the IPad.
I then created the final video using Primier Pro in order to merge and edit the videos as a video for creating a hologram is also quite different as it requires the image to be placed in all four sides. Hence, this required a lot of touch up in order to get the final video as portrayed below.
As the project was to be showcased in a park outside I had to figure a way to showcase my piece. This pushed me to make the piece more interactive, where I put together a cardboard box and individual how to climb into the box and cover the portion of their body in order to create a dark room. This step also stood as a symbol and means for everyone to recognise the suffocation that causes in creating a segregated space. The following link illustrates what the final project looked like.
In terms of the zine I took a different approach in support on the topic of the portrayal of minority groups. Through this part of the project I wanted to showcase that women from minority groups do not need to change themselves in order to meet social standards rather they should embrace their ethnic beauty. Hence, I created the titled “You are who you are” that sketched out fashion figure drawings of women from different ethnic backgrounds wearing their traditional clothes with positive writings in different scriptures. Several of the sentences are repeated in order to emphasise on the idea of how important it is to love oneself and their culture. I also kept my focus on women since we are often targets that are criticised in terms of beauty standards.
I also used different shades of paper to represent people of all colour.
Reflection:
With this project I was able to push my boundaries in terms of working with digital media. It give me a platform to explore a new medium and how two mediums could be manipulated to create one piece. This was something that I worked with that was out of comfort zone as the topic that I focused on is quite controversial.
The basic context of this piece was exploring a new spiritual endeavour after an unforeseen event.
On October 2016, I met in a car accident, fortunately for me I had no life threatening injuries. However, passed several days lead to an unraveling of unfortunate events. Events that took a tole on my well being. There were days that were really rough and there days that were just quite. The event encompassed me I questioned myself who am I? Why am I here? With all these questions in my mind I didn’t know what to do or why I felt what I was feeling. It was then one day, when I got back to walking normally that I caught the smell of something I recognised, back from home. The scent was an incense stick from a shop close by it reminded of something my grandmother told as I child – “When all hope is lost try and talk to god.”
Now I was raised Hindu and have lived around different religious practices but I never really believed in any of it due to the fact that religion has been tied to politics where I’m from. However, I wanted to see if I could build a connection between the religious beliefs that I was brought up with, and the course topic Avatar. The concept of avatar is rooted in the secular practices of Hinduism. In the philosophical or theological context an avatar means a manifestation of God upon earth in corporeal form, which can be that of any living being. As an incarnation, God lives upon earth, goes through the same lifecycle as other living beings to resolve some fundamental problems of existence. It is always to set things right, to resolve some problem, or destroy evil. In a way you may consider it an intervention or micromanagement when we collectively fail or when gods fail us to put our world in order.
Buddhism for me was one of the the religions that I always found quite interesting and it was one particular quote by Gautam Buddha that made create avatars of him specifically i.e “In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you let go?”
In an ideal situation I would like to recreate this piece in an enclosed public space in order to bring about the sense of serenity. I would also like the light in the middle as seen in image above to be lit and apparent all day. Hence, this would require an enclosed dark space.
Foam Board: This material was used to create a raised platform in which the final figure would be placed.
Hand crafted paper: This material was used to create a flower like object. It was also used to control extensive lighting and create a sense of delicacy by having it wrapped around the top most platform.
Gold Paint: This material was used in order to create flow like movement that comes out from the red hand crafted paper onto the black platform. Here, I used a sharpie to create the outlines and then filled them in.
Plexi Glass: With the helps a laser cutter I created cut outs from plexi glass of the figures to create 2D figure.
Torch: This material was used as symbol of spiritual enlightenment where I placed a torch in the middle of the structure .
Glue: I used special acrylic glue in order to place stick plexiglass surfaces and normal glue to wrap the foam board.
I knew that for this project I was deeply influenced by my culture and ethnicity. The work reminded me a lot about several Buddhist Monasteries and temples that I visited in my early childhood, due to the fact that most of the temples had several engravings and sculptures. I also walked around the city and documented the way buddha was represented in different avatars around stores in NYC.
For our final project we were open to focus on our choice of materials and methods explored through this course syllabus. The assignment was open to interpretation and self expression, however we were required to select two artists from our visit to “The Long Run” exhibition at the MoMA. Who’s work that we felt was most loathing.
Materials & Tools Used:
Plexi Glass
Vinyl Sticker
Black Foam
Double sided tape
Adhesive spray
Gold paint
Wrapping Paper
Etching Needle
Adobe Illustrator
About the Piece:
History, is a sculpture that ignites and motivates the idea of women empowerment, with a focus on women of colour. It explores the idea of growth and transformation of women from colonial times to todays modern and futuristic generation. This being said our generation is largely driven by pop culture. Hence, I wanted to focus on a women of colour who inspires our current generation through pop culture.
As I did my research it was evident that Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was one of the most influential woman worldwide. I decided to create my work around her with the statement of the change she made in her appearance at the 2018 Coachella music festival. Her appearance at this festival was quite critical as she was not only the first African American women to headline the the festival performance, but has artfully represented through musicality and performance, the richness in cultural blackness and aesthetics with a commitment to showcase feminism and freedom. She also inaugurated her appearance with the black national anthem regardless of the lack of diversity in the audience population. The artist also celebrated Black history with a focus on a college theme where she made references to historically-black fraternities and sororities simply through her clothing and music. She also played quotes from Civil Right activist Malcolm who acclaimed black women as band played melodies from Nigerian legendary anti-colonial singer Fela Kuti, who criticised colonialism.
This being said after my research on her biography and performance being a women of colour and a student currently in an arts based college, it inspired me to show case that every single girl can make a change. A change that can make an impact and bring about a legacy of oneself regardless of what type of field their in, they can change History.
Process:
After the visit to the exhibit we had write a written responses in order to identify the artists who’s work we didn’t enjoy and how we further plant to develop an final project idea. Attached here is the document to the response Response to Artwork-1jely6w
Once we had our final ideas completely sorted through, the next step was to create a rough sketch of a prototype. For which I drew a pencil sketch as seen in the image below. I focused on creating my figure in relation to the costume worn on during the Grammys performance in 2018.
Figure 1
For the next step I began sketching the final version of the figure and text. Here I decided to have the figure position itself similar to that of Virgin Mary as resembled in the image next to the sketch.
Figure 2Figure 3
Figure 4
The font that I used to create the sticker was a hand drawn gothic styles sketch that was drawn with black ink, as illustrated in Figure 4. This style of font was show to resemble the overthrown idea of women in colonial times.
For my next step I began transforming the above sketches into an Illustrator drawing. This step was done in order to cut my figure out of a plexiglass and also to make the sticker of the text
Figure 5 Drawing the sketch with the pen tool on Illustrator
On the plexiglass of the model since I wanted it to have more dimension to it, I etched several parts of the details on the figure. This was done in oder to create a sense of interaction with the audience to look deeper into the figure.
Once these details were completed I began working on the base of the model. As I wanted my figure elevated I created a three tiered staircase using black foam board which also represents the growing awareness and unity of the rise of women of colour. The foam board was delicately wrapped a with a black and gold hand made paper which can be seen in the image below. In order to have tI also created a back support with the same foam board, for the black plexi sheet in order to have the sheet standing straight, which is evident in the image below
Figure 6 Sideview of the board supporting the plexi glass
From the base I started fixing the piece together, where I began by aligning the stickers that were quite delicate due to its how thin and intricate they were. In order to do so I first placed a T-square horizontally ato identify the base line at which the text is to be aligned. The next step was to carefully remove the stickers from the sheet and place it onto the plexi glass which don with the help of a sharp blade.
Figure 7 Placing the previous three steps together
Once I placed all the pieces together the final model looked as present as in the images below
Figure 8 Side view of the Final ProjectFigure 9 Front view of the projectFigure 10 Close up on the details and hidden symbols through the etching
Purpose of Material Choice & Symbolism:
Foam Board: Women are often associated with being gentle and soft. Now, a foam board has a similar characteristic and I personally feel that being soft isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact I feel its an important attribute for a person to have because this attribute signifies that of strength. Gentleness breeds peace and calmness which brings about a clear mind in decision making, whether this may be in business or home like environment. Being gentle also helps in gaining a trust with another individual which is another critical element in life because if you want to growth in any form of relationship in individual should be able to feel the sense of trust.
Hand made wrapping paper: This paper that is made from Nepal is used to support women labourers who are underpaid but yet their product brings about a sense of delicacy, another positive attribute that is often connotated with women.
Plexi Glass: For this project I used black and transparent plexi glass in order to create a more futuristic minimal sensation. A glimpse into a future for people who look at the piece. I used transparent plexi glass so that people could look at this empowering women Icon recognise her legacy and then look through it, to see themselves. The black wall like plexi glass is used as mirror (As seen in the image below.) to have young girls like myself look at themselves and then look up to the stickers and identify that they can make a change.
Figure 11 A reflection of a person through the black plexi glass
Design Choice for the figure: Coming from Indian/ Hindu ethnicity surrounded by catholics. I wanted figure out some way resemble a combination of these two religious ideologies. Hence, I decided to focus on her 2018 Grammys outfit. That signified Mother Mary and Durga, the Hindu Goddess and Mother of the Universe. I also choose this outfit because the artist was pregnant at the time. Often women are pinned down and are told that they cannot do their work well, while they are pregnant and I wanted to illustrate that they completely underestimate the strength of a women.
Reflection:
The project provided me the opportunity to unravel an expressive part of me that has been in me for a while but wasn’t really given a platform to showcase this thought. It was interesting to see how this came about from from picking the two random artists who’s work I disliked. With this project I was also able to go back and overcome technical troubles that I had with my previous work in regards to labs that we used for this course.
In this assignment we focused on different mediums and ways in printed matter. We are also required to create the designs through illustrating ideas that cam to our mind while reading about an ancient Myths or Legends. We began by focusing on monotype prints, then moved onto mixed media prints influenced by original moprints and then moved on to etching and drypoint prints.
Process:
From the given readings, we were required to select three of the short readings and create an illustration for it. However, for this we required to use three basic monoprint colours; Magenta, Yellow and Blue. For which I used a combination of water colours and ink.
The above illustration represents King Midas and the Gold- Story Description: After doing a good deed for a Satyr, Midas was granted a wish by the God of Wine, Dionysus. Midas asked that all he touched be turned to gold. His wish was hesitantly granted. Midas proceeded to change many items around him to gold. Soon Midas became hungry. When he picked up a piece of food he could not eat it for it had quickly turned to gold in his hand. His daughter came to comfort him and when she put her arms around her father she immediately turned to gold. “The golden touch is no blessing,” cried Midas. He went to the river and wept. The sand of that river turned as yellow as gold for it is there that King Midas washed away the curse of the golden touch with his own tears.The above illustrations represents the myth of Pandoras Jar Story Description: In her beginnings Pandora was the Great Goddess, provider of the gifts that made life and culture possible. Pandora was taught not to open a clay vessel bestowed upon her as a dowery after her marriage to Epimetheus. She was inquisitive and rebellious and could not resist opening the lid. When she does so all evils are released and proceed to torture mankind in eternity.The above illustration represents the legend of Halycon Description: The goddess Halcyon was a seabird and the daughter of Aeolus, the ruler of the winds. Zeus ordered that Halcyon would lay her eggs only in winter. Her nest was near the shore and the stormy waves kept sweeping away her eggs. Crying and praying endlessly, Halcyon finally managed to touch Zeus’s heart. Encouraged by the other Gods as well, Zeus decided to give her 14 days of good and calm weather in the middle of winter. During these days Halcyon’s father would keep the winds calm on the sea.
Once we created our three basic sketches we were then required to create a mixed media illustration of using on of the above created sketches. For the mix media I wanted use explore different mediums in order to bring about different texture which would in turn bring about a variety of responses.
I decided to use the pieces influenced by Pandoras box. I recreated the basic sketch and have it popped out f the paper using double sided tape in order to create an illusion that makes it appear that she coming out of the frame as she opens he box.
For the background I used charcoal as a shading effect and splatters of black ink with a tooth brush to create a more mythical feeling. Using a mono print flat paint roller I was able to combine and layout an interesting texture using the same colour combination as seen below.
I also wanted to explore and focus on using simple middle school materials like glitter, a highlighter and a golden washy tape.I was able to adapt these materials in minimally into the piece to avoid it from being to loud but at the same time help emphasise on the figure.
The next correlated project was the dry point print. This technique was like using a a pen without an ink, it involved creating a an impression of a sketch by tracing over it using an etching pen tool. that is a sharp metal pen like tool. The tool helps in creating method that involves scratching an image into a plate, for which we used acrylic sheet. These lines create a burr that holds ink once the process of applying the paint was completed, a damp paper was brought and placed on top of the sheet and passed through a roller. The paper and the sheet are compressed together as they pass through the roller. This process allowed the paper absorb the paint and create an impression of the original etched out sketch as visible in the image below.
The process had to be repeated several times in order to generate the right quantity of paint that needed to be applied onto the acrylic sheet. This was caused an error mostly because if the there was to much paint then the details would disappear and if there was not enough paint applied then the paint would not completely transform an impression on to the sheet.
Reflection:
I think that the project provided a unique opportunity to focus back on print making. I also felt like this was an interesting topic to focus on, as with the rise of technology hand printed matter is slowly drifting away. Having the basic tools and ideas of how to hand print something brings about not only provides one with a new skill but also brings about a a different perspective to the art style.
Over the course of the spring semester we worked on two journals where we explored different topics in relation to sustainability and climate change.
The first one was feild action journal, consisting of research and reflection based notes through feild trips that took place during class. Attached below are the links to the following documents.
The second one that we focused one was the Studio Journal, in this journal we documented all the models and work that we made over the course of this class.
Attached below are the links to the following documents.
Architecture plays a critical role in our daily life, often we tend to lose sight of the heavy masonry and complex engineering that goes into creating these amusing structures. It explores the deep expression of human civilization from a particular generation. Architecture is on its own a form of visual art and frequently we also see artists drawing inspiration and even adapting architectural forms into the bases of their work. Hence, for our next project we were required to create a clay model of a structure existing in Greenwich Village.
I wanted to focus on a historic structure that had a hidden meaning to it and regular building. So for this project I concentrated on the Thirteenth Street Presbyteria Church in 1902. The church was built between 1846 – 47 in the Greek revival style. The Greenwhich village was transforming into an suburb for refugee and in spite of its dignified appearance, the church traveled a rocky path from the beginning. The church later burned down in 1855. It was quickly rebuilt, but by April 1902 it burned down again, both times faithfully recreating the original 1840s design. The church went through a rough path. However, the facade was finally bought buy a developer and converted into an apartment.
Process:
In order to get started, the first step was to collect ten images of two structures where we captured visible sides of each building. This step helps in portraying how a 3D model of the structure could be created. Hence, I decided to capture the image the following images.
Once we finalized on the structure we wanted to create, we were then required to recreate a sketch of the building. This was done in order to modify our structure as it would quite challenging to adapt every single detail into the final model as we were beginners with working on clay and had certain time constraints. For my first sketch I created an almost realistic sketch of the structure as seen in the image below.
However, it was difficult for me to recreate it. Therefor, I brought out simple shapes and forms from the structure and created a separate sketch. I picked parts of the structure that helped identifying the structure from others. In this sketch I didn’t sketch the model as a 3D object but rather, drew how I would like each side of the structure to be seen. Through observing the image below, it becomes quite evident how the two sketches are quite different but come together to represent the same structure.
The next step was the most critical step, which was building the structure. We first began by cutting the clay into two equal half using a wire clay cutter to help in flattening out the clay by using roller.
This process helped in having the clay spread out, making it easier to create the walls of the structure and having a balanced thickness. Once this was done we began cutting our required shapes using a modeling tool. Now, in order to attach the structures together we had to change the form of the sharp side edges of each slab/wall of the structure. Through using the ribbon wire tool we carefully carved out the edges from a 90-degree angle to a 45-degree angle. Before we attached the sides each of the edges needed to be scored so the sides of the structure bonded to each side correctly. Through using the clay like cement I also added some clay on the sides to attach to surfaces and pinched it to stick on to the surface. In this step water played a critical role, in order to have the clay more flexible to mold into the require shape. Then using a needle I was able to add ornamentation to create the bricks and other small details. I also used a sponge in order to create a soft repetitive line like texture. The final step was to cut out the bottom slab of the structure of the wood.
I also used white clay in order to help identify the church as it replicates the same colour of the original structure.
Reflection:
Through this project I learnt how our hands can be very critical role especially while working with clay and ceramics. I also had to recreate my structures I used to much water and the structure collapsed while still wet. Hence, when I re did the model I made sure I didn’t use too much water and made sure the clay was thick enough. The project also taught me how critical sketching out your model is, in order to get an accurate size and density.
I think the project also dwells in you a sense of patience as it requires you to be very carful while working on soft clay, especially with long nails and working with minor details.
We were required to brainstorm a list of ideas of objects or even social issues that we were interested in. From the brainstorm we then picked one of the ideas that we were interested in order to create a Zine based on the selected idea. We were also required to create a zine that correlated to our paper written in our seminar class (attached in the end of the post), where we focused and combined themes from the reading “Mythologies Today” by Roland Barthes.
Overview:
Take a minute and think about every building structure you have seen. Each of these structures has a critical yet simple architectural element to it, that acts as a barrier. An object, which creates this sort of a frontier that, separates two specific areas. This everyday object holds the essence of mystery. For centuries doors have acted as form of defense mechanism to protect those within a space. What makes this everyday object so important in the construction of any building is that it acts as a portal, a human portal that not only gives one the access to enter a premise but to control those who are welcome and those who aren’t. All in all the doors are used to protect but the fact of the matter is, can they really protect us from external threats. Each door has its own significance, from the intricate designs to as simple as the colour. Through my zine I wanted to illustrate how the design structure of a door changes and reflects the environment and society that we live in.
Materials Used:
Ink
paper
glue
watercolour paint
Adobe Photoshop
Process:
In order to gain a better understanding of the purpose of different doors and their design structures I started walking around different areas within the City and photographed different types of doors as illustrated in the image below.I also collected a variety of images of doors that I found interesting online and captured myself.
The next step was to start sketching the doors and the selecting the ones I wanted to keep as images.In order to bring out a sense of mystery, using Photoshop I smudged the borders of the images in order to create a smoke like effect. This effect not only helped blur out the sharp borders but also represented itself as though it were being submerged into the paper. With a combination of hand drawn illustrations and photographs. I was able to create a zine that illustrates doors from different parts of the world and doors of families from different social classes as seen in the images below.
Reflection:
I enjoyed working on this project as it came to my notice of how a simple thing such as a door, can hold such a strong significance yet at the same time reflect so much about the community one we lives in. This project also pushed me to work into combining work between digital images and hand drawn sketches. However, I also realized later that I could scan and print the images onto paper, which would have given it a better finish. I also think it would have been better if I created a prototype before, in order to provide a chance for me to reflect and Identify how I could re-approach a project or make any corrections necessary.
The first form of stickers ever known to be created was a stamp. As they were in fact a form of adhesive paper with an image. The stamps served as an image that acts as an evidence of payment of postage. Overtime the purpose of the sticker grew from using them to create traffic signs, symbols, to even a creative art illustration. Today we see stickers on our phones, shopping stores and even windows. For this project we were required to create a sticker for a window of our choice that illustrated a sort of illusion.
Process:
I began by brainstorming on ideas related to objects and themes that I’m interested in. I was able to make I list of few thing such as, floral designs, Buddhism, my home in India and so on. With these categories in mind I began drafting sketches, as seen in the images below.
Once I drafted out my final sketch the next step was to draw these images using adobe illustrator. Here I used the pen tool to trace (as represented in the image below) over my drawings in order to portray my stickers on a digital platform which is was later used to print.
The magenta coloured tracing that goes around the image illustrates the outline for manner in which the stickers are to be cut out.
Sticker. 1: Is a scenic silhouette that represents major monuments from India. The sticker is placed on my dorm room windowsill as an illusion to make it seem like its part of the window.
Sticker. 2: Is a floral design that is placed in the apartment of my friend’s dorm. We discussed how having a space outside the window to grow flowers would be nice. Hence, I created a sort of flower wreath with a black out line having the sky filling in the colours.
Sticker. 3 : Is an outline of Buddha a metaphorical illusion that there exists a spiritual being within this translucent space.
Sticker. 4: Is an image of an eye that pops up in the corner of the window acting as an Illusion that signifies someone is always watching and one may not even realize it. Within the eyeball one can see a fist resembling a sudden awareness.
Reflection:
As I worked strongly on bold outlines with all the stickers I realised how critical the choice of using a particular stroke and size was. I was able to recognise the significance of proportionality between the sticker and the window in order to create the right illusion. The project also helps identify the importance of perspective as the angle at which the sticker is placed can change the way one may want to create the illusion.
Jewellery designing is an art form of its own, where one gets to work with intricate details and customisation. For our first assignment we were asked to create jewellery designs of our own through which we could cut out using the laser lab. The focus of this assignment is to identify how the laser cutter can be used to create various objects including a jewellery piece.
Process:
Each of us were assigned a fellow classmate as a client. We then had to interview are client which is one of the most critical steps because for this project it helps in recognising the clients requirement. Once we were able to set base on what the client would like, the next step was to create our concept ideas. Here, before designing the jewellery we took the required measurements in relation to to jewellery we chose to make. For which I decided to make a necklace. I then began drafting a sketch (As seen in Figure 1.1 & 1.2) of possible ideas based on the personality, like and dislikes of my client.
Figure 1.1 Design I
As one of the main goals of this project was to create a jewellery design for my client I decided to focus on creating a more sentimental piece. From the interview it cam to my understanding that my client is found of dancing (Ballet in specific) and Biology. Keeping these two concepts in mind I designed a silhouette of a ballerina and used a biology symbol to use as two separate pendants as seen in Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2 Design II
For this design I focused more on the places that my client has lived in. She spoke about how these places played a significant role in her life and how she considers all of them as home. Hence, I created a pendant design that illustrates all three places my client lived in using curvaceous lettering as seen in Figure 1.2
Once a design was picked and finalised the next step was to create a paper prototype. Prototyping the design plays a crucial role especially for custom made products as it helps gaining accurate measurements. Prototyping also helps to identify minor problems that could play a significant role in the function of an object. For example, when I created my prototype I noticed how the weight of pendent plays a significant role on how the jewellery design falls on a body. The prototype also assisted in the selection for material choice.
Once all the defects were identified the next step was to sketch out the design on Adobe Illustrator. Using the pen tool I was able to create a clear outline of the designs to be cut through the the Laser Cutter. Once the test run of the outline was run the cutting process began.
Figure 1.4 Outline of the design cut outs onFigure 1.5 Sample cut outs
The next step was to assemble the pieces together and begin filling the colours in. I started of by gluing the wooden cut outs and preparing the cord that would be used as a chain. Since I used a suede cord that was rolled up, I had to straighten it out by tie ing it two ends and leaving it in that state for an hours in order to get a straight and firm cord. While this was left to straighten out I began painting the surfaces of the cut outs with Black acrylic paint. Once this was dried I began filling in the hollow spaces with blue glitter. The choice of colour here was used based on the clients fondness to the colour. However, the glitter choice was used to create a more symbolic meaning. Since black usually symbolises negative connotation hence I decided to use blue glitter to signify the little joys and happiness that unravels even at the most darkest times, just through these activities or hobbies if you may. All in all it symbolises the contentment that comes to oneself, in specific to my client. After the pieces were dried and ready I began attaching the pieces to the suede cord. The images below exhibits the completed piece of the Jewellery Design.
Figure 1.6 Final outcomeFigure 1.8 The final piece worn by the client
Reflection:
There were a few things that I had to alter and fix from the design which were
The length of the necklace ( as it was longer than anticipated once the client wore it)
The hot air used to dry the glue from the glitter to dry faster created bubbles creating holes within the space. I then had to pop the bubble and refill the spaces
Through this project I was able to understand and Identify how certain resources like the laser cutter can not only help you manipulate and create unbelievable objects but also identify how certain things need to be altered as you prolong in the design process. As a student who has never worked with designing jewellery it was interesting to look into and grasp a gist of what this area of study is like.
