PLANE: Studies

For my studies, I was interested in the 1st option: 3 forms representing alteration. With that in mind, I wanted to focus on the combination of shapes to make a unified form, each stage adding an additional shape to the facets of the overall volume.

I printed off guides for a icosahedron (all triangle facets), a rhombicuboctahedron (triangle and square facets), and a rombicosidodecaahedron (triangle, square, and pentagon facets).

Once i did that, I laid the sheets over top of bristol paper and imprinted all points of intersection within the shaped outlines. From there, I used a ruler to complete the outlines on the bristol, scored the lines, then folded my forms.

icosahedron

rhombicuboctahedron 

rombicosidodecaahedron 

LINE INTO FORM: Final Composition

Design Statement

I formulated my final composition using a combination of three of my studies:

I really loved the shape created by my paper study; how it was such a rippled, open shape without any of the original sheet taken out, just slits cut selectively. For my burlap and stirring straw studies, I was interested in the mimicking of forms through curvaceous vs. straight lines--I liked the harmony, as well as the contradiction of the two. So, I combined the linear opposition of the mixed media studies to the shape of my paper study. 

So, I first composed the the larger version of my paper study. To do this, I used a larger construction-like paper, cutting it into dimensions of 24" x 31". From there, I doubled the dimensions of my varying line widths and lengths, to allow for a greater number of finer lines.

From there, I used a corked-back yard stick to cut straight complete lines. Once I cut all of my necessary lines, I used shot glue gun to attach my points and lines, and lucky this paper held almost the same proportional tension in the paper as my study. After I manipulated my paper form in the shape I wanted it to be, I had to think go how I wanted to add the linear element.

I liked the boldness of the red that was present in the stirring straws and I wanted the linear aspects of the piece to extend beyond the dimensions of the curvaceousness of the paper. So I obtained a few square dowel rods, and painted them red. After they dried, I began to incorporate them into the piece, playing around with different positions until I came up with a model that sturdily acted in the form and allowed for it to stand freely while keeping its shape. I attached the rods together with hot glue as well. After it was able to stand on its own, I played around with the exposed lines of the paper, slightly straying away from the original study allowed by the larger dimensions. 

Overall, I was pretty pleased with my resulting form; I had fun with it. I do think my craft could have been a little better, that is something I can work on. I liked what this project turned into just by playing around with paper and lines, until finding unique interesting forms. I liked the idea of starting out with a linear concept, then turning it into a curvy form, then once again incorporating linear elements. 

Evaluation Criteria:

Did you respond to the project criteria in a thoughtful way that shows progression through your studies and design process?

I believe I did show some original thought in my initial studies, more so in the paper studies. I used a combination of my initial studies, taking elements from each that I really wanted to incorporate in to my final piece. I made my final piece larger, transitioning to a larger scale and using the materials necessary to accomplish this. 

Did you explore depth and a range of concepts?

I think I did in my studies, just playing around with different shapes and lines, mostly through trial in error, keeping the ones that I found interesting; and using both linear and form concepts. I probably could have showed a little more depth in my final, perhaps stepping away from my originals ideas and trying something different. However, I am pleased with my final form.

Is it original and visually attractive/interesting?

I hope so! I mean, I'm pretty proud of it, but an audience may no think so, or see something in it that I don't necessarily see. I really like the overall shape of it, and I think the fact that it is free standing strengthens the overall composition. I like the bold contrast of the red dowel rods and off-white paper.

Have you produced quality work with attention to craft and detail?

For the most part, I believe so. Like I said earlier, I think I could have handled my craft a little better, more so with the hot glue and dowel rods. I think my detail and craft is better more so in the paper aspect of the piece, making sure I cut my lines straight and even. And moving it around from place to place as I worked on it effected the structure of the paper a little bit. And I wish I had made it a little sturdier; that is something I struggled with while I  was positioning the dowel rods.