Luminary Project
Defining the Problem:
We were challenged to create a luminary with four sides that had a visual relationship. We were given a piece of plywood that was 12 inches wide, 24 inches long, and 0.22 inches thick from which to cut out the pieces of the luminary. In addition, we had to design a 3D printed candle holder for the luminary that would fit the inside dimensions of the luminary and the diameter of the candle.
Inspiration and Background Research:
First, I looked at some of the window designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. While I found them interesting, I did not want to mirror them nor use them as inspiration for my luminary design. However, Wright’s designs with rectangles reminded me of patterns on Japanese screens, which, in my opinion, have an elegant look. While the designs use simple shapes to achieve their look, their minimalist nature is what makes the screens beautiful. I wanted to reflect that idea in my designs by using mostly one shape in my design while still making it artful and interesting to look at.
Concept Sketches:
Initial Concept Sketches
I started by trying to use mostly one shape in each of my designs to mirror the simplicity and congruence of Japanese screens. On the first and last design I solely used one shape and had one design flow through the whole panel. On the middle panels, I created partitions in order to have multiple designs, but I do not think these were as successful.
Final Concept Sketch
For my final sketch, I decided to go with the same concept that I employed in the forth sketch because I believe that it is the closest to the minimalist elegance of the Japanese screens. While it only employs the use of rectangles and semicircles, this design was the most successful since it is creative and pleasing to look at because of the clean lines and interesting design the rectangles create.
Prototype Design on Rhino:
This is my final design and 3D model I made on Rhino. I modified the design a little from my final concept sketch because I realized that the rectangles not attached to the border would get cut out. So, I added lines to attach the “floating” rectangles to objects that were secure. Also, I altered some rectangles on the panels because I thought it improved the design. Overall, I am happy with the way my design looks in the 3D model because it exemplifies the artful simplicity I was trying to achieve.
Prototype Design for Candle Holder:
I wanted to create a candle holder that had a ledge for the candle to sit on rather than a pressure fit because I thought it would be easier to put in and take out the candle. I also wanted to make sure that the holder would fit precisely in the luminary, so I made the ends of the holder the same shape and dimensions of the corners of the luminary. Finally, I decided to only have four pieces to hold the candle in place so that the pieces could flex slightly if the dimensions weren’t exactly correct.
Completed Luminary:
This is my finished luminary! I really like how the shapes extend from one side to the next and the color on the edges created from the laser cutter. I decided not to sand my sides too much because I liked the way the burnt color faded from the edge of the the shapes to the middle, which gave it a more rustic look. In addition, believe I achieved the ‘artful simplicity’ I was looking for to my design as is interesting but not overwhelming to look at.
Desktop Organizer
Defining the Problem:
We were challenged to create a custom desktop organizer for a person in our dorm. Generally, people requested that the organizer be able to hold larger items such as notebooks and binders as well as smaller items like pens and pencils. We have to design an organizer with the 1/4 inch plywood that has both large and small compartments to hold the different-sized items as per people’s requests. In addition, we have to take the size of the desk into account in order to ensure that the organizer does not take up too much of the desk’s space.
Interview:
Q: What is your biggest problem with organization?
A: I want to organize but I am lazy and find it difficult to start. I don’t put things back in their correct place unless it is easy.
Q: Why do you need a desktop organizer?
A: I don’t have enough space to do work because I have large piles of books on my desk. I need my books to be easily accessible so I place them on my desk, but this prevents me from keeping my desk clear.
Q: What would be the most helpful to have in an organizer?
A: I would like to have a large compartment in which I could store my books. Also, I always have a lot of small items like pencils lying on my desk, so I’d want a container for those too.
Q: Is there anything else you want me to know about your organization situation?
A: I don’t want a desk organizer that is super big because I want my desk to be fairly clear so I have space to work.
Concept Sketches:
Initial Concept Sketches
I started by designing six organizers, each with slightly different compartments. I wanted to include similar aspects in each design that reflected what my client needed organized while presenting them in a slightly different manner each time. After reviewing them with my client, she told me that she liked the left three designs the most and would like elements of all three incorporated in the final design.
Final Concept Sketch
For my final concept sketch, I was mainly inspired by my first initial design because I liked the shape and look of the organizer. However, instead of only having drawers on the right side, I decided to draw a drawer on the bottom with two shelves above and a pencil holder with dividers at the top. I discussed the design with my client and she agreed that it solves the organizational problems she’s facing.
Rough Cardboard Prototype
This is the cardboard prototype I made solely to determine the sizing of the organizer. As I was cutting out the different pieces, I realized that the book holder (left side) was too long for the desk, so instead of it being 12 inches across, I shortened it to 10 inches. As I begin transferring my design to Rhino, I will need to figure out a way to attach all my shelves to the main structure.
Prototype Design on Rhino
These are my final design and 3D model I made on Rhino. My design was more complicated than I realized, so making all the pieces on Rhino took a long time because I had to cut out and then readjust many of the finger joints. I also decided not to make a drawer because I ran out of time. However, I am still happy that I was able to maintain most of the original parts of my design in the model of the desktop organizer. Hopefully, when I cut out the pieces, they will all fit together properly.
When I cut out my cardboard model and put it together, I realized that the left side was too shallow to hold any notebooks or binders. So, with help from Mr. Brodie, I edited my Rhino design so that the insides would be 2 inches deeper without changing the positioning of the finger joints. Hopefully, when I cut out the prototype of the edited design, it will be deep enough to hold books.
In order to allow binders to fit in the organizer, I had to edit my design once more and make the organizer another 1/2 inch deeper. When I laser cut my third cardboard prototype, a binder finally fit in the left side. Now I am ready to cut my design out of wood and fabricate it!
Completed Organizer:
This is my final desktop organizer. I really like the design, especially the accents of darker color from the exposed finger joints that were burned by the laser cutter. When I showed my client the final product, she was very happy with it and believes it will be helpful for solving her organizational problems. She also likes the simple, sleek design because it goes with the style of her room.
