What are materials? At the commencement of the lecture we discussed natural and engineered materials (man-made).
I learned about how materials interact with space, our bodies and other materials.
In the workshop we were introduced to the various hand tools and powered tools/machines.
We were asked to prepare a sample board of natural and engineered materials over the next week.
This assignment familiarized me with different materials and their sources and properties.
WEEK – 2
For this lecture I designed 2 pairs of coasters in a 4″ x 4″ box.
After getting a go ahead on my second design I started to prepare for my coasters by getting the MDF sheets cut and then moving onto the design.
For the coasters I used hand tools and the machines to carve, cut out and give texture.
In the end I used the needle file to give it a smooth finish.
WEEK – 3
During this week’s lecture we studied some basic hand grips.
I learnt to understand the various angles and perspectives of hand grips.
We were asked to make 1 hand grip from 6 different angles with 5 different objects thus giving us 30 such sketches.
This exercise helped me improve my understanding of our hand structure.
WEEK – 4
For this week I worked further more on my sketches of the hand grips.
We were taught how to turn those hand grips into abstract forms by adding lines or circles thus making them either 2D or 3D.
I also made an abstract composition of my favourite place – Marine drive.
I tried to convey the waves and the skyline through this composition.
WEEK – 5
This class I started working on my first model of the hand grip.
I chose to depict the hand grip of a pencil.
I decided to make my first model using wire and woolen thread.
I found it a bit challenging to work with these two materials and it took me a lot of patience to make this.
I faced a couple of problems and had to figure my way around those which helped me realise that I can find solutions instead of just giving up on the entire idea.
WEEK – 6
I made a second version of my first model in this lecture.
I got much more familiarized and comfortable using the materials (wire and thread).
I used a wire to make the basic structure of the model and then covered the entire thing with a woolen thread.
I showed the index finger and the thumb as one and the rest of the fingers together.
It was a tedious job but in the end it was worth it cause I was happy with the result.
WEEK – 7
This week I made the final model for my hand grip. I decided I wanted to use metal sheet to do so.
Working in the workshop is always exciting for me so I grabbed the first opportunity I got.
Making this model was easier and faster than the previous one that I made using wire and woolen thread.
It was fairly easy to manoeuvre the metal sheet.
I showed the grip of the index finger and the thumb by plaiting three metal strips and fixing them on the circular strip.
WEEK – 8
Every model needs to have a plan and elevation so as to convey it better.
I made the plan and elevation of my metal sheet model.
I also made a 3D representation of the same.
WEEK – 9
This week we were told to make a group of two / three.
We then were told to make a list of physical interactions between human beings.
Me and my partner came up with 15 such interactions.
Out of which the final 5 selected were : pinky promise, red hands, thumb fight, three legged race and high five.
WEEK – 10
This week we picked 3 interaction out of the 5 for us to work on, the are: pinky promise, red hands and three legged race.
We took photos of these interactions from different angles. This helped me understand these interactions better.
All the different angles of these interactions helped me come up with a few ideas for the models.
WEEK – 11
For this class I drew each of these interactions from 6 different angles.
This helped my understanding of these interactions and made it easier for us to work on them further.
I was much more comfortable sketching hands this time than I was while working on the hand grip project. I hand more confidence in my strokes and could do them fast and easily.
WEEK – 12
This class we made sketches for our model.
These models are supposed to either assist or inhibit the interactions.
We came up with a myriad of ideas for our model and then picked a few out of them.
We decided to make fair models of all of these sketches as they were not very complicated to make.
We would then select the one we like the best and have it as our final model.
WEEK – 13
This week we started working on our prototypes.
Making prototypes is very important as it helps us understand any mistakes or shortcomings in our model if there are any.
We selected quite a few materials to work with like : plywood, foam, elastic, magnets, cloth gloves, aluminium sheet, velcro and muslin cloth.
I enjoy working in the workshop quite a lot and look forward to it everytime I have an assignment. Being in the workshop I am in my element and I am focused which is why I like it so much.
We made 4 prototypes: 1 for pinky promise, 1 for three legged race and 2 for red hands.
The magnetic rings we made for pinky promise assist the interaction. The velcro cloth belts we made the three legged race assists the interaction. The velcro gloves and the elastic plank also assist the interaction.
WEEK – 14
We made our final model this week.
This model is supposed to inhibit the interaction of three legged race.
We used plywood, foam and elastic to make this model.
One has to slide their leg through the elastic to put these on.
WEEK – 15
Technical drawings help others understand our model and the working of our model better.
We made technical drawings of each of our models. We drew the plan, elevation and the 3D views of all our models.
Technical drawings have to be neat and precise which is what we were aiming for and I am happy with ours.
Different Strokes 