Category: Reflection

My Top Choices for my Da Vinci Project

When it came to creating designs for my Da Vinci Project and creating more unique iterations of well known technology and reverting it back to Da Vinci’s time, I had to narrow down my ideas and select my ideas based on their design, function and overall interest in design and engineering them.

So through the many ideas and process of elimination, I managed to put together my own choices for my personal collection, starting with…….

The Prosthetic hand

This design and model is by far my favourite and most ambitious idea, mainly because of all the work and process went into it, as well as its idea of functionality.

My original idea for the hand was to be operated by a series of strings that were connected to the fingers and to move them in position they would have to be pulled and hooked in place by the amputee, with two sets of five strings on the palm and backhand, it could be used to make a fist, give a thumbs up, point and even give the middle finger.

However, I wanted to take this idea further, so I designed and built a new prototype that was able to move on its own via arm movement.

Now the function was different compared to my original, however it still carries the idea and set of its predecessors, more specifically the the two series of strings connecting to the front and back of the hand.

The latest design consisted of elastic cord attached to the back hand and fed over each finger, this was so the fingers would stay up and the strings (attached to the muscle brace) would pull the fingers to form a fist.

The Type Writer

Like the hand my main idea for my typewriter function was elasticity, more specifically, each of the typing key would be suspended by rubber bands wrapped around the hooks, thus keeping them in place, so whenever the user types a key the rubber band then pulls the key back into place.

Glasses

The glasses were a fairly simple design, for my version I wanted to give it two unique features, were you could switch out the lenses for a different thickness as time goes by, another feature I thought of was an attachment of multiple switch lenses for artists, scientists and/or model makers.

The Micro Scope

One of the microscopes features is similar to the glasses, were you can switch the thickness of lenses at anytime, however for this the lenses (I call Micro-discs) are inserted into the main shaft of the scope in order to get a closer look at the specimen.

One of the key ideas of this project was to recreate modern ideas in Da Vinci’s eye, this would either mean simplifying or overly complicating the designs of our current inventions, for the microscope, rather than turning the dial to zoom in for a closer look, the idea is to simply push down the upper scope for a closer look and using the micro-discs for an even closer look.

The reason I chose these particular kinds of inventions was because if Da Vinci was way ahead of his time, logically he was want to design and create inventions worthy of expanding his need for knowledge and research into medical and scientific technology.

For example if he wanted to further his research in science he would use the microscope to get a better understanding of the human or animal body, possibly expanding his knowledge in medicine.

He would also use this prothetic hand design to further the use of prosthetic to allow amputees of the renaissance to have easier lives, since it would a huge upgrade from a hook or wood/metal hand that doesn’t move.

Exposure Part I

Artist Statement   

What?

I design and create Da Vinci themed models based on his designs (reimagined) and what current or old technology would look and function if he invented them, with this I want to create a fantasy collection to both express my interest in Da Vinci’s work and create new and different reimagining’s of old and current technology.

How?

First, I draw these designs out in my Da Vinci sketchbook, to check if my design could work (in terms of either putting it together and possibly functionality), I would create a prototype using foam core poster board or card paper, once I’m happy with the design, layout and possibly functionality, I’d then start measuring the model and its pieces to program into cad, once all the shapes are copied into CAD, I then make them smaller for the 3D printer, because they don’t necessarily have to be too big.

Once all the pieces are printed, washed, dried and cured, I’d then start to paint each big in a particular colour scheme (the colour palate is supposed to represent the kinds of metal and material that Da Vinci would’ve used in his time to give a steampunk look, such as Gold, copper, bronze and silver), once all the pieces are painted, I’d either piece them together or drill holes in the pieces and suspend them on rods to create the look of an explosion, so it shows all of the pieces.

Why?

I chose this project because Da Vinci is my favourite artist and the best way to explore my interests in this project (as well as any other projects) is to create my unique models and designs, this can give me an opportunity to both create interesting interpretations of technology we know today and to think and build things like my favourite artist.

Current Progress

Currently, my work is in the design stages, where I am currently drawing new designs on a daily basis, these designs are either based on old fashioned or current technology and some of them are reimagined designs on Da Vinci’s designs to give them a slightly modern update while also containing that same renaissance aesthetic.

Once I have created enough designs and once, I go through the process of elimination, I will then have picked less than ten or possibly five designs for me to create on CAD, 3D print and decorate for display, each model will displayed with their own blueprint as well context behind each model.

Visuals of Practice

Collection Proposal

For my project, I intend to create 3D printed models of my designs inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s blue prints, these will either be reimagining’s of Da Vinci’s work or Da Vinci style iterations of old/modern technology.

For example, one of my ideas involve creating a typewriter that functions differently compared to a normal typewriter, the process includes using one hand to types the keys and the other to drag the paper tray to the left, once one line of writing is finished, the paper is then pushed through the slot at the back, the typing keys are suspended by rods that attach to the back, and to keep them in place (when typing) are hooked using rubber bands.

The final outcome will be a collection of models based my five chosen designs, each model will be displayed along with their own blueprints, these will include layouts of the pieces, their functions and their paragraphs containing context for their inspirations as well as their intended function (whether or not they would actually work).

Defined professional trajectory

Professional Practice

For this project, I intend to use professional CAD software to create intricate models based on my designs, during this I expect to gain and develop experience in CAD software, this could be very useful in my practice in designing and making, could look good on my C.V and would put my 3D printer to good use.

Marketing and Audiences

If I were to sell these models for profit, I would advertise and sell them on my website, while also including a “commissions” page where customers can request what they want to be 3D printed, if they wanted to, it could fit the theme of Da Vinci style designs (note: again, these Da Vinci models are more for show rather than function), or any kind of model they want.

The best way to get more customers to ask what they want (in terms of commissions) is by showing them what you can give them by producing and selling well designed and good quality prints as a way of getting more unique requests. The commissions page would have a text box that will go directly to my email, the customer would then type their request, the size they want they model to be and even hand drawn or digital designs and I would respond as soon as possible to let them know when they might be done as soon as possible.

The target audience for my work is anyone of any age who admires both the work and influence of Leonardo Da Vinci and those who love the idea of interpretations of both an artist’s work and the technology we know to this day, opening a fantasy collection of Da Vinci style pieces, made to look like he made and designed them. This is just a fun expansion on what I and a lot of people like, like my last project, when I built my second artefact, I was going for a direction of my model either being an ambitious model that explored my interest or a collectable and display model product that could be sold to many who share my interests in Da Vinci and fiction.

My Technology Study Group

From the 22nd of October to the 5th of November, I attended a weekly study group in technology, during this we were all learning how to program and operate an arduino, which is a small circuit board that can be plugged into and programmed by a computer and using a series of wires to transmit the program from my computer to the arduino to the breadboard.

October 22nd

My first lesson was about lighting LEDs by connects an LED, a resistor and wires to the arduino and the bread board, for this I learned how to turn on the LED and program for how long it would blink and how bright it would shine.

First I’d open up arduino on my computer and open option “blink” under sketch, in this I had to program what brightness I wanted the light to be and select the timing on how long it would blink for.

The second part of the induction was adding the button to the breadboard, this would then allow me to turn the light on and off

October 29th

The second induction introduced me to these mini servos (which were little fans), for this one we were told how to set up the timer for how we wanted them to move and at what speed.

For me I set mine to move half way across and reset, potentially this could be used as a timer for jobs or activities like a board game or a toothbrush timer.

November 5th

My third and final session involved using pixel lights (each light contains a microprocessor), with these we could program any colour we want into it, the basic ones were green, blue and red, to change the colors, we had to set the numbers either higher or lower, this would then mix the colours together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I enjoyed this study group, it gave an opportunity into basic programming and technology, there were a lot of detail and names I struggled to remember, and I couldn’t fully understand the coding, but I belive I give myself a few self taught lessons in learning patterns and rules (if I want to, if it feels necessary), I should get a better understanding of everything, which could potentially open my mind and give me ideas for future ideas.

Did/will this play a part in my main subject work?

When choosing this study group, I had no intentions of adding technology to my bowl or secondary artefact, I wanted my bowl just to be simple, I chose this group just so I could learn basic programming, however I am glad I chose this one, even though it was a bit complicated to remember the scripting and the wires, it was good to step out my comfort zone and potentially I could see myself buying my own arduino kit so I can get a lot more practice and get a better understanding on the patterns and coding.

Field Reflection

For this assignment, I will be going over my field reflection to show how I have progressed and what I have learned throughout this past year.

Skill acquisition (Including research, context and making)

Each of my projects has an even balance of a professional and ethical layout, while also allowing me to incorporate my own personal interests. I have made sure that my research is consistent and relevant with my subject matter (whether it would be a making project, a blog post or a major essay). When making, I was able to gain new skills which I applied to each project. Each process was unique in terms of designing and creating, whether it this was sculpting, making moulds, or CAD building.

Ideas and realisation

Figurative Modelling

During the five weeks of figurative modelling, I had the opportunity to exercise my sculpting sketching skills, while also I’d been inducted on new skills such as Slab folding, sewing fabric body parts, sculpting body parts in a step by step process, that involved starting with one shape and building upon it, 2D and 3D slab collage, testing my sketching skills in life drawing with multiple time limits.

Rajasthan

I was tasked with making my own augmented reality book using inspiration from my trip to Rajasthan. The idea I came up with was making a book written in my own hieroglyphic language, that could be translated into English. I first scanned my alphabet into illustrator and had them laser cut into stamps. Once I typed up and printed out the scripts and created the trigger images, I then made the book using red fabric and sewed in a piece of cardboard (to help shape the book). Once the book was finished, it was then folded and held together by a piece of string wrapped around a button.

Discipline-specific knowledge

In both these projects, there were challenges to my skillset; things I enjoyed and things I need to practice at. I exercised sketching, sculpting, slab building, life drawing, sewing, miniature painting and augmented reality skills. Development of skills what the maker course is about; how it specialises into multiple fields of making and how it allows us to find our way. It also allows us to find or exercise our comfort zone, while introducing us to skills we thought we would never have. 

Contextual understanding of own practice

The explore projects I participated in had a major impact on my work and creative abilities. In both projects, I was given multiple challenges, such as putting my sculpting skills to the test and writing an honest, reflective learning journal and also by traveling to India. I was able to find a subject matter that was both a practical challenge and was something I had interest in, which made the project more enjoyable.

Evaluation of own learning and Conclusion

This past year has been very different, but productive in terms of research, making and discovery. I created a series of medals dedicated to a misunderstood film maker, put my sculpting skills to the test and travelled to India to be inspired and encouraged by their culture and traditions. 

After finishing both explore projects, the ideas I had for designing and making as well as the new skills and knowledge I have acquired, has shown me what I can do. This gives me more insight and confidence in what I might do next.

Roland Barthes’ Toys

For this assignment, I’ve been tasked with writing up a reflection on Roland Barthes’ essay on ‘Toys’ and his views on them by paraphrasing his words, seeing if I agree with his analysis and finding evidence to support my own argument

What Are his views?

Barthes sees toys as being an obscure representation of adult life, meaning their sort of a representation of adult life, meaning their sort of a transition for children becoming adults, he says this is because of the set up scenarios (e.g Easy bake oven= Homemaker, Plastic doctors tools= Doctor, science equipment= Scientist, etc.) He even says that the child playing with the toy is seen as a user, not a creator.

He also states that most toys have readymade solutions that don’t fully strengthen they’re imagination and creativity (e.g a toy based on a movie already has its own set up and story and character name, A toy spaceship is just a toy spaceship and god knows what occupation Barbie has now, etc) unlike LEGO that does the exact opposite, sure they do sell construction sets with ready-made scenarios, instructions and even characters but that’s really just a suggestion some buy the sets for either the parts, the figures, they’re collections or just to build their own creations, LEGO is unique because its about taking a bunch of bricks given to us and making something new out of it. In fact when the creators of LEGO were selling theses set they became so popular they decided to just focus on the building bricks instead of they’re original wooden toys, that’s part of what Barthes is saying not many toys give kids motivation to expand their imagination there just filled with limitations, manufacturing limits and creative scenarios not made by the kids. The only limitation LEGO has is the imagination of the user.

My Argument

After reading his analysis on toys and reading his strong views on them, the question is “What do I think of his views?”

First off I wouldn’t necessarily say that certain toys would reflect a Childs future, thats not really how it works, no one knows what they want to be when they grow up. It takes time to learn, experience, make mistakes and take risks. The main purpose of toys is to entertain, meaning they’re not meant to be taken too seriously. Toys are just meant to be happy distractions so a kid doesn’t have to think about his/her future just yet.

I would also make another analogy on imagination restriction by comparing toys with ready-made solutions to nature

What I mean by this if a kid is given a type of action figure (e.g a superhero, a spaceman or transformer, etc) they’re creativity is mostly restricted, however if a kid is playing in a park or forest they’ll find imagination almost everywhere they’ll climb trees, play hide in seek they’ll even use a stick a sword, a wand or a gun, some kids might even find inspiration to make their own toys.

The point of this is nature can inspire more children than manufactured toys.

Conclusion

I’m not saying manufactured toys are completely limiting children’s imaginations, in fact, kids have lots of imagination even with these kinds of toys, I’m saying kids need to allow their minds to expand, to challenge their thinking and imagination and by doing that, they could create something amazing.