Reflective Blog-Principals & Approaches To Making.
By
Samuel Tristan Ellis
By
Samuel Tristan Ellis
The Principals and Approaches to
Making Unit as given me key understanding of materials and their use and
flexibility, some of which I had learnt previously through my studies at The
Leeds College Of Art, but this as progressed and enhanced my knowledge
tremendously. A particular product I enjoyed developing was the three simple
cubes which were constructed together, then layered at an angle to create
character and showing full view of the whole cubes by looking at it from one
angle created a stimulating design. They were well constructed and modern in appearance.
The development of the idea of the cube was to create a mood of addition,
trapped, no freedom and no hope, which was very successful.
I have enjoyed working with wood as
it is a natural organic solid form which shows beauty within the grain of the
wood. Working in the Wood Workshop as made me appreciate how much I enjoy
working with wood as the textures of the wood and the malleability of the material
encourages inspiration. The unit as shown me how important it is to draw the
design as it is one way of communicating to the audience. I found Glass
interesting as I learned a new technique which was cutting glass and this new
skill helped me develop the Rubber Cube. During glass I learned how to sand
blast glass and melt bright coloured glass together which was a new experience
and could be used in the future.
The Units brief of learning and using materials were followed by the use
of Addition, Abstract/Colour, Curves, Subtraction and different Use of materials
which were all combined together within the Cube models. A question to be
answered was, How has this been developed? I believe this was with the addition
of material onto the cube until it started to lose its identity and the mood of
trapped and no escape visualised. Then
the glass cube and abstract object explored colour and which colours go
together. The Wood Work Shop was about pushing the curves and the strips from
the previous models which was very successful as it helped to develop the
function of the sunbeds. The Metal Work Shop was about subtraction of material
meaning fewer strips and simplifies the idea. The Clay Workshop expressed
different use of materials and I made a cup, which considered only one strip as
the handle to pick it up, developing the strip idea which as carried throughout
the project.
The least interesting workshop rotation was the Photoshop because I don’t
think I would use it to edit images as in a way you are taking away the
original tones of colours or shapes from the photograph creating a fake photo
as the image in reality would not look the same.
Researching
throughout the unit helped me develop my ideas particularly the research
regarding Pablo Picasso – “Woman with a Mandolin 1909” which shows layers of
colour and addition of geometric shapes and is a Cubist Painting. How does this
link into 3 Dimensional Design? Pablo Picasso also created sculptures and the
Cubes which I was making were very Sculptural with the addition of strips and
tones of different colour. If you turn the 3 Dimensional Cubes into a 2D drawing
or painting it becomes similar to the Artists Work.
The Research of the”Crossover Pouf”
by Gianni Menguzzato & Claudio Nascimben. Calligaris in a Magazine April
2013, links in with the Three Cubes as it is stacked on each other but the only
difference is that the three cubes did not have a function and was made out of
different materials, but as the same idea of the Cubes as one of my 3D
dimensional drawings show. I am very pleased with my drawings of the three
cubes as it shows how I was thinking and how I was going to position the Cubes
on each other. The product the Designer as created as been well thought out on
connection and shows subtraction of the Cube as they come apart which is
fantastic as it becomes multi-functional.
The “Condolisa
Side Table” By Teddy Luong & Dennis Cheg was very inspiring as the design
shows simple effect function and it is cheap to make and links in with the Cubes
as the only difference is that the strips have been cut out of the Cube. My
idea is the opposite where the strips trap the Cube. The models link in with
the product as they are both Cubes and both share the idea of subtraction and
addition. It has a modern appearance like the Coffee Cup as it is fresh white
and both contains the idea of strips. 
“Black Bird” by Pierre Favressse
showed me an idea of the strips in the way the surfaces of the table functions
and the geometric form of the curved structure which is used to curve over the
Cube. The idea was to have repetition of strips like this all different sizes
and lengths. The research artist created a functional product and I have made
it non-functional which is interesting as the way he saw it was about the
engineering of the function and how it moves smoothly. 
My favourite research was the Union
Wood Company, which was very inspiring as its shows basic geometric shapes with
reclaimed woods and natural objects. The reason why I find it so interesting is
because its shows how they are trying to help the environment rather than use
new Hard Woods and Man Made Materials. How does this link in with the Cube
Project? The final product would be made out of reclaimed material such as Reclaimed
Pitch Pine Wood which was found in a Timber Yard in Newcastle. The geometric shapes
which are created by The Union Wood Company shows that it links in with the
project as it is shows two types of materials which is Metal and Wood. I have
followed this link throughout the Work Shops by creating a Model that combines
two materials together and drawings show the final product as more than one
different material. A successful progression of work inspired by the various
products researched.
I have learned about myself that I
know how I want the finished product to look and this can be an advantage and a
disadvantage as the unit as shown me that sometimes I just need to show a
little freedom in order to create mistakes which could be a good mistake or bad.
The Initial idea might be developed along a different path to the original
brain storming which is helping me adapt throughout the process, highlighting
that change is good and not every process or project can always turn out
perfect. It is not wrong to fail, but it is important to learn from this.
I am very good at making functional products
and well-made objects. I could improve on drawing the designs first before
making the product. I Attend and gave 100% into each unit. My time managing was
great on the writing but the drawings needed to keep up. My interests are three
which are Wood, Metal and Ceramics. This relates to my long term career as I
would like to cover as much area as possible of design, For example making
Furniture/products, Jewellery and Abstract Art and learn how to create Ceramic
objects. My new interest in Ceramics was born from this Unit.
I would like to improve on the Ceramics
as the cup with one strip which was made showed that it could be developed and
was functional. Could make a set of 4 cups and glaze them in white as it would
give a modern effect. Could make different handles on the cups and could be
that they could be all bespoke. These are ideas I would like to play with,
investigate and design finished products.
Principals and Approaches to Making
was a fantastic start to the 3D Design Course. I really enjoyed the different
elements of the Unit, from working with Wood to experiencing my first
involvement with Glass and Clay. Really looking forward to learning more in
depth about how materials can be used and promoted in the 3D Design World.
Words 1,434.
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