3D Printing & Parametric Design

Ideation Phase

For my final project, I wanted to make an object that would have a functional, everyday use. In my free time I am an avid reader. Although reading itself was not that strenuous, it was a bit inconvenient for me to spend my energy to hold up a book while I read. This motivated me to create a bookstand for myself, so that I could read without the inconvenience of arm soreness.

Inspiration

The two things that inspired me the most for my object were coral structures and sandstone.

My biggest challenge in the beginning was to figure out how to incorperate these two influences into a bookstand.

Eric-Moodboard

Prototyping Phase

First Prototype

I first looked at Parametric House Website for a grasshopper program that would emulate coral. While researching, I came across the "Voronoi & Multipipe" tutorial. This was the perfect tool to make a book stand that looked like coral, and I utilized parts of the tutorial's script for my project. Above is my initial prototype for the bookstand (bottom right). I was not very satisfied with this first draft, because the rectangle platform clashed with the curvy pipes underneath it. I decided to make a second draft in order to improve it.

Final Prototype

For my second draft, I decided to make the platform curved. There were two reasons for me doing this, the first being because it would make itself flow better with the rest of the piece. The second reason I made the platform curved was because I figured that the curve would better hold the spine of the book when it rests on the stand.