Before I jump into sharing my ideas and process for my final project in my Expanded Design course, I want to get y’all caught up on the work I’ve done so far. For my final project, I am planning to build off of my first project in the course.
I wish I had a better camera on my phone, but these poorly lit, blurry pics will have to do.
Assignment
Here’s the assignment that guided my first project:
“Use at least two of the three machines learned in the first part of class. Design something that enhances the display of an artwork that you have previously made or want to make. How can you make something that holds or accompanies your work but also serves to tie in the concept or formal aspects? You are striving for an overall cohesion with the object and the way that it is exhibited. For an added challenge, two parts must nest or fit together snuggly.”
Background on the artwork I chose to display
The “artwork” for which I wanted to make a display might be a bit unconventional since I don’t have an art and design background: I wanted to display rocks that I’ve tumbled. The rocks are part of a 2+ year long ongoing community project I’ve been working on that explores the theme of healing. While preparing for and recovering from a major back surgery in the summer of 2016, I went on regular hikes as part of my healing process. As I walked, I picked up rocks. I tumbled the rocks to make them smooth, and slowly over time I’ve been giving the rocks away to people who are part of my healing process and/or who need some support during their own healing journey.
First Sketch
My initial idea was emotionally flat.
The form of my display idea did not conceptually connect with the healing rocks. I essentially picked random or obvious shapes to use as holders for my rocks.
Updated Sketch
Inspired by an email comment from my teacher about how the rocks and the theme of healing evoke time, I decided to connect the form of my display with the concepts behind my rock project.
An idea struck while I was on the train from DC to Baltimore, and I created a new sketch based on the typography of my own back. I wanted to display the rocks on a typographic map of my own pain.
I started modeling my display in Rhino, the 3D modeling software program. I uploaded into Rhino a photo of an X-ray of my spine taken right before my scoliosis was corrected through a T1-L2 spinal fusion at the age of 14.
Prototyping
Prototype 1
I used a laser cutter to cut my first prototype out of cardboard.
My first prototype was way too small, and the pockets for the rocks were way too big. I overestimated the amount of space that would be needed to comfortably pick up a rock from a pocket, and I underestimated how large the model would need to be to approximate my back.
My teacher told me that sometimes if you want something to feel life sized, you have to make it larger than life (sorta like how in The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien shows how sometimes fiction can convey reality better than nonfiction can). Also, I realized that since I had created the Rhino model based on an x-ray, the size of the display in real life would appear much smaller than my back since a torso also has layers of fascia, muscle, fat, skin, etc.
Prototype 2
Based on what I learned from my first prototype, I adjusted the size of my model to make it a better approximation of my own back, and I also adjusted the size of the pockets for the healing rocks. I was able to fit a lot more rocks onto the display model after making these adjustments.
I also designed a bracket and placed holes into my model for the brackets to fit into. The brackets represent the instrumentation I had placed in my spine during the spinal fusion surgery I had when I was 14. I precisely aligned each bracket with the space between my vertebra on my X-ray guiding image. Originally, I thought I would 3D print the brackets. I even created a 3D model that I could have scaled and printed according to the size specifications for each bracket. However, my teacher encouraged me to laser cut the brackets in order to save myself time. I’m glad she did because it would have taken a loooong time to 3D print 14 brackets each time I wanted to prototype.
After making these adjustments to the model in Rhino, I used a laser cutter and cardboard to create a second prototype.
My second prototype was much closer. The size was right, and only a few of the rock pockets were off in size. I was pleased that the brackets I created all fit perfectly, thanks to a lot of tedious calculations I did. Here’s what some of those calculations looked like:
At this point, I had to create another sketch to keep track of which rock fit into each pocket in the display.
Final for Phase 1
After making the last few adjustment to the Rhino model, I used a CNC machine to cut the wood components out of particle board, and I used a laser cutter to cut the brackets out of masonite. I learned a lot about CNC tool paths during this project. For example, there are 4 different pocket heights to accommodate for the different sizes of rocks that I have.
Here’s what my rock display looked like the very first time I put all the pieces together.
Since my quick and excited snapping of the above photo, I’ve spray painted the brackets bright blue. Also since this photo, I’ve used a sanding machine to smooth off the tabs on the smaller pieces (these tabs were a necessary part of using the CNC machine for the cuts). I also touched up the tear out on the drill holes. I will update the blog with a higher quality image of the final product, and the final Rhino model, soon.
I had originally planned to glue the layers of the typographic map together, but a friend and classmate suggested that I leave the layers as separate pieces so that, hopefully one day when my pain decreases, I can remove layers to symbolize the release of my pain. I loved that idea so much and am going to go with it.
M Strickland Creative Process Blog 