Assignment Description
In this assignment, we created a personal 3 dimensional symbol that reflects our personality, interests, etc using rigid linear materials for structure. This symbol can inspired by how we identify ourselves and how the communities we are in observes us. I chose to create my symbol using metal wire using inspiration from Korea’s history of symbols and style of art to reflect two sides of my personality.
Phase 1- Research
Korean society traditionally adapted to and found meaning from nature. Hidden meanings and other forms of visual language derived from the natural world have been passed to future generations to embrace it as law and order in their daily lives. I Korean people have created myriads of beautiful and diverse patterns and motifs inspired by the nature of the world.
These patterns reflected in all aspects of Korean culture, from prints on common goods to accessories to royal clothing, adorning everything from Korean traditional architecture to household items. Even today these patterns can be found almost everywhere you look in Korea, from the Taegeuk (center emblem) in the national flag of South Korea to the animal designs on chopsticks in restaurants. Many Korean symbolism are similar to the Chinese characters for luck, fortune, longevity, and fertility. Colors and intricate detailing are emphasized in Korea and hold The colors used in the paintings hold hidden meanings. The rims, roof, and columns of Korean temples are referred to as Dancheong. The five main colors black, blue, yellow and white refer to the five elements of classic Chinese philosophy. The color yellow in Korea is associated with earth, black with water, white with metal, green/blue with wood and red with fire. The colors are also related to seasons: green for spring, red for summer, yellow for late summer, white for autumn and black for winter and even specific times of the day. The vividly colored designs are greatly emphasized and draws out the beauty of the patterns itself without knowing of its hidden meanings.
www.japanvisitor.com/korea/korea-culture/korea-trad-pattern
mood board
Thumbnail sketches
In this part, I brainstormed ideas and concepts that would be refined into a cohesive design to help create my symbol. In this 3 step process, I narrowed down my sketches to finalize my idea.
First, I sketched elements and motifs from my research on Korean symbolism.
Then, I came up with 6 motifs from the previous sketches.
Lastly, I integrated the 6 motifs and combined them into three ideas I can incorporate into my symbol. I wanted to create my piece in a form of an accessory.
I chose to create an a wrist/arm chain because I liked the idea of using accessory as a form of its own language in enhancing and making something aesthetic.
Phase 2– Technical drawings
In this step I combined elements and motifs to create a final design and make mocks ups of it. Using inspiration from the sketches I brainstormed ideas into a making my symbol as an accessory piece.
brainstorming sketches
final design
Mock ups
Using an exacto knife, I cut out an the outline of the design and wrapped it around my arm to test out the measurements and proportions. This would serve as a template to follow when using warped wire to get the desired shape. This was helpful in visualizing my final idea into a 3d piece. Making the mock ups helped me get a sense of movement and flexibility, and what my final design should look like. The cut out of the design will be a template I can use as reference in creating my final 3d symbol.
Phase 3
In this part I finalized my drawings to create the final symbol and developed my 3d linear model. I began working with wire and warping it to create my design.
I continued warping the wire to create nice texture throughout and connected all the parts that make up the accessory piece. I wanted to bring out the delicateness and minimal value in this piece to compliment the wire flowers so I used the same thin wire throughout the piece. Breaking down the process of creating a final 3d model helped me to work my way around my piece to develop my idea more thoroughly.
Process photos
While twisting and connecting the pieces together, I realized how difficult it was to keep the wire in place. I had to attach more warped wire to connect pieces from the back to keep everything from rising from my hand. The wrap around the arm was the most difficult because I didn’t know how to make the ends of the chain adjustable to make it easy to wear and remove. I continually twisted more wire together and created a second layer to make the arm chain more of a wrap so it is more convenient to wear as an accessory piece.
Lastly, I used spray paint to create an even color throughout the piece.
Phase 3– Final form
Reflection
Overall, this assignment as taught me more about using wire as a medium and how sturdy and flexible it is. I was able to enjoy this exercise because I had the choice to create anything I wanted. I chose to use wire because of its sturdiness and flexibility, which was what I needed to work with for this symbol. The flowers on the hand represent the calm and reserved side of my personality, and the warped wire and twisted flow throughout the rest of the arm chain bracelet represent the carefree and aggressive person I also am. I used this idea of representing two different sides of my personality because throughout my life I was told by close friends and family that I can seem like two different people at times. At first I used pictured to use these two different sides to juxtapose each other with different designs and level of rigidness and sharpness. But throughout working with this wire medium, my design was slowly altered and the picture I had initially imagined turned into a coherent design that in the end complimented each other. Overall, I was satisfied with the design and I am now encouraged to work with other mediums other than wire to create something I resonate or identify with.
