Week 05 – 3D

Tuesday August 16, 2011

Today we heard from two students about their design ideas for 3D application as well as feedback from the group on the designs whether it be challenging or suggestive. We later looked further into our own 3D concepts and assumed certain aspects of their application as well as overcoming any potential hiccups.

GROUP EXERCISE – Challenge assumptions

15 mins Open Discussion / 10 mins Blog

1. One student presents 3D design concept to the class – 2 mins

2. Open discussion on challenging design concept assumptions – 3 mins

3. Repeat twice

4. All students blog your observations – 10 mins

Sunita 3D design Idea

Sunita explained her 3D design model was a hut

Traditional timor house: NOTES

“Needs to have 4 stumps not sure wat to make that out of.

Thinking of using the polystyrene for the body of the house then cover it glue … ill have to find a glue that doesn’t eat into it… then cover it with sticks or straw.

Roof will be hard to make because it is shaped like triangular prism but no point on the top. Size un-decided but probably close to base 15 cm wide and height about 20cm.

Will need to use sharp knife to cut polystyrene so it doesn’t flake.”

Reference: Sunita Murphy 3D design Idea Notes

I suggested to Sunita to use a sharp blade that is non serrated otherwise the polystyrene will go all over the place.

Maha 3D Design Idea

Maha wants to design a lamp that can be changed to suit any room of the house. She is thinking of either a stand alone lamp, one that sits on a desk or one that can can be hung from the wall or ceiling. We have to make sure that the materials used wont come into contact with the bulb or heat up to become a fire hazard. We also discussed how we will apply and fasten each lamp shade whether it pops in or slides in etc

I think this is a really good idea that could produced or even be sold to companies IKEA in the future.

PRACTICAL – Design challenge / reflect & refine

30 mins – Choose your most recent 3D design concept from all your current works

•  In your blog make a list of 2 assumptions about your design

•  Challenge both of these assumptions (200 words minimum)

•  Suggest 2 refinements to solve these challenges (200 words minimum)

•  Illustrate your thoughts with sketches / diagrams

3D Design Idea - Fridge Coffee Table

Assumptions: The fridge coffee table will act as a fridge to cool many drinks and snacks as a normal fridge would yet be more horizontal than vertical in rectangular form in the shape and size of an average coffee table. It shall be used as a coffee table should, yet give the added advantage of not going to the kitchen to retrieve food and snacks. The unit should be a simple design that can compliment most household lounge rooms. The unit should be easy to access and to clean. I am assuming that a fridge of these rough dimensions exists. I would like to either use the same properties on the lid to compliment the base whether being the same materials, different materials or vinyl material covering the whole unit.

Challenges:

The power cord will have to be looked at being tidy or invisible. I will have to make sure that the unit is safe for different types of floor such as carpet as fridges do leak sometimes and get hot.

The price of a fridge may be expensive and hard to find second-hand.

A coffee table gathers clutter so it’s important to have easy access to the food 7 drinks without messing up the table and everything going on the floor

Refinements:

Fridge must have access underneath the main table top e.g. sliding doors or pull out draw. The Unit must be made of lightweight materials and/or on casters so it can be moved if necessary

Maybe it can be an esky or car fridge style to correct the problem with running power and cords to the unit.

Illustrations:

         Rough Shape Sketches

Reference (Image above): WB Fridge Coffee Table Sketch

Reference (Image above): WB Esky Coffee Table Sketch

1970s Art Deco Fridge Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo

Reference: http://www.ballerhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/fridge-table.jpg

Youtube Clip

Coffee Table Fish Tank and my 6 foot Oscar Tank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU_lRBREqPk

Commentary

This clip is only about a minute long but is a real eye opener for changing my idea from a fridge coffee table to a fish tank coffee table. The relaxed jazz style music really compliments the lighting used for showing off the different aquarium tanks. I liked the panning movement of the camera because it also complimented the overall theme of the clip.

Reflection

Today I have a very certain idea for my 3D design. The exercises today allowed to me to look deeper into the problems I may face in the foreseeable future with the design. My original design as a Fridge Coffee Table may have to be converted to a more feasible version.  It was good to hear that I was roughly at the same design stage as everybody else.