Jillian C

For this project, we had to make a cardstock 2'2 box. At first, I was intimidated by this activity, especially how to make the 2'2 squares equal size. After making two squares I learned it was easier to trace the original square I made with the cutting knife and using scissors to even out any unequal sides.

For the second half of the box activity, we had to make a 2'2 box out of cardboard. Although it sounds like a fairly easy task, I struggled to make this box successfully. I trouble using the cutting knife to cut through the cardboard, as it is considerably thicker than the cardstock. The other main issue I had was not recognizing the sizing difference of cardboard to cardstock. Cardboard has thick sides, so making an exact 2'2 box was impossible because of the thickness of cardboard. Next time I work with cardboard I need to improve my cutting and measuring skills.

For our next project, we were tasked with making a robot on the program Inkscape. I did not like using Inkscape at first because I thought it was confusing as difficult to use, especially making shapes the same size. As I worked with the program more and more it became easier and made more sense to me to use.

This is my robot design using Inkscape which I printed using the laser cutter. This was my first experience creating something on Inkscape and also printing out an object. I learned the basics of using Inkscape and the Printer. It was really exciting to print something out on my own. I struggled a little with figuring out how to print from the computer, but I'm learning.

This is my logo design I created using Adobe Illustrator. The wave and the fish represent my love for the ocean and sustainability that developed after my recent trip to the Bahamas. Designing this logo required me to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator. This was most definitely a struggle, but after a lot of trial and error, I learned to ropes.

This is my laser logo design based on my initial Adobe Illustrator design. I printed it a couple times, I kept having issues printing the wave part of the logo. I ended up having to create a red hairline to get the laser to cut it out remotely visible. Other than that, I learned how to work the laser printer. Specifically, I learned to use the preferences tab where I learned the different power settings and how that affects what you cut out.

Our next task was to complete the Tinkercad lessons. Which I did. These were most definitely the most difficult activity we've done so far for me. I struggled a lot at first to figure out how to place objects and change their size. As I kept going through the lessons, it got easier and helped me a lot going into the designing of the 3D printed design.

To complete the next project we had to design our logo in Tinkercad to eventually 3D print it out. At first, i struggled to correctly connect the different parts of the logo, like the letters and the stars. I learned how to change the height of objects to match and connect together.

For this project, we had to print a logo from Tinkercad. This is my final printed logo, I learned how to use the 3D printer. This was hard at first to understand, but after figuring out the steps on the paper I printed successfully.

This is my vinyl printed logo. We had to print out our logo designs on a vinyl sticker from Illustrator. This was not the hardest project because of our previous experience on Illustrator, but I was able to reinforce what I have learned in the past.

These are my brainstorming ideas for my glasses project and my paper planning prototype. For the glasses design, I wanted to do something creative and different from what normal glasses typically look like. I decided to go with the star design because it went with the theme of my previous project. I had a lot of difficulties getting the dimensions right to the glasses so that they would go together on a face correctly. This took a long time, but I learned how to wisely manage the challenge of figuring out dimensions.

This is my cardstock prototype for my glasses project. I learned three main things from making this prototype. Firstly, that it is VERY difficult to cut cardstock with scissors when you are trying to cut different shapes with lots of angles. Secondly, that the rims of the glasses were too thin and I had to increase the size of them. And thirdly, that the stars were too small to fit the face well. Because of this prototype, I was able to adjust these issues for my cardboard prototype.

These are my wooden glasses. For this phase of the project, I learned how to consciously place where to cut out from the wood to try to use the least area of the full wooden sheet. I added an engraving of my name to create a more polished look to the glasses and make it more clear that it was a final prototype. This engraving made the glasses look more complete and professional.

This is my TinkerCad prototype for my 3D print light. At first, I just made a simple lamp in the shape of a heart. With further consideration, I realized that the light would not be able to go through the heart anywhere, so I added more hearts and made them go into the walls of the light. This allowed for light to softly shine through the light. I learned how to navigate doing this in TinkerCad, which was frustrating at first, but got easier as I further understood the program. I was then able to make my 3D printed light.

This is my final light after being 3D printed. The printing went exactly how I had hoped it would go. This was my first time printing something more "3D" and not a more-so flat surface. It worked really well and I was happy that there was no shape that fell and did not look correct or looked like a blob. Overall, I learned a lot from the project and I am excited to be able to use my light!

For my wooden lamp project, I decided to take the solar system and make it into a lamp. This is my initial paper design prototype measuring out a rough design. I learned that lining up circles is difficult and when transferring this design into Illustrator I had to learn how to make all the 6 pieces fit together properly.

This is my design for the lamp on illustrator. My biggest struggle with this phase of the project was making the panels of the lamp able to be fit together. I had to make sure each little part was the same size on one panel as the other panel so that they could successfully fit together. I then had to print out the lamp and put a light inside of it.

This is a picture of my final wooden printed out lamp. I struggled to find wood pieces with enough space to print out a full panel, so I solidified my skills of making the best with what there is to work with. When I finished printing out the lamp pieces I did have to put some glue on the sides of the panels to make it stay completely together. Overall I really enjoyed this project.

For my final FabLab project this semester I decided, with the help of Mr. D, to make a stamp that pertains in some way to Hawken. As a senior in my last few weeks of high school at Hawken this was a good project and was in some ways my last contribution to the Hawken Community as a student. I finally decided on a stamp with "Fair Play" written on it in big letters with designs on them.

This is my next prototype for the stamp that I could then scan into Illustrator and then print out on wood for the final stamp. What I learned doing this is that stamps go backwards, not only with the letters but with the words too. Fortunately, I could still scan this into Illustrator and then move around the letters to correctly stamp out on a piece of paper.

This is my design transferred into Illustrator in order to be printed out. To do this I learned that I had to take a picture of my paper prototype and then embed it into Illustrator. I then had to flip around the order of the letters in order to make the stamp actually stamp out correctly.

This is the final cutout print of my Fair Play Stamp. I used 1/4 wood and I actually printed over it twice in order to make the etching portrude more, so the stamp could be cleaner. This was the least stressful part of the project.

This is my final product after using the stamp. I went to the Art Department and was able to do an ink stamping using my stamp. I learned how to do an ink stamping and it was very rewarding to actually use the stamp that I had been working on.

I learned a lot about design and design thinking throughout this course. I learned that I was good at using the laser cutter printer and that I am not the complete worst at drawing. I used to think that the FabLab was a place where you can just draw out something on a program and print it out, but I have learned that there is a legitimate process to it. I learned this the most during the wood lamp project, where I had to draw out ideas, sketch a prototype, do a cardboard prototype, and then finally do the final product. I learned how to best use materials and not take up too much space. I would change my initial logo because it was hard to make a 3D print of it and I had to change it. I enjoyed being able to make different items utilizing different machines than I was used to and being able to all figure it out together. I felt very challenged by the class, especially in the beginning. I am not a very visual person, I prefer learning with audio. I also have not taken an art class since 7^th grade, so I had to channel some skills I had not needed for years. I was proudest when I finished my final project and was able to make a successful ink print out of my stamp. It was a great way to see the efforts I had made come into something real.