B R I E F 2

This week we started the second brief which had a 3D aspect to it. We were basically required to create a 3D object that would include data related to our organization. The 3D object would then be placed on a key poster that explains more about the data and gives context to the object. I was really worried initially as this brief requires quite a lot of quantitative data, there was a requirement of at least 5 points on each data set. We did a little workshop on brainstorming ideas of how we could translate the data on to the object, with what forms of shapes and what key concepts we would focus on. I tried thinking of some ideas and could only think of using the telescope, as it was a key feature in my risograph. I also wanted it to be an object that you could take apart and put together again like a puzzle or like blocks of lego as I wanted it to attract a young audience. I decided to speak with Chris and he gave me some good ideas of how I could use different parts of the telescope to show different sets of data. From there I started developing more on the 3D object worksheet. I was also advised by Paddy to just make the legs printed 2D on the poster and have the telescope printed 3D so it becomes somewhat of a 3D poster with the telescope popping out.

Reference:

Alderson, R. (2012, June 22). Whoa! NASA scientists transform a gamma ray burst into a musical score.

It's Nice That. https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/nasa-gamma-ray-burst-into-music

Learning Autodesk Fusion 360 was a lot less intimidating than I expected it to be. I suppose it is possibly because we can export SVG files from adobe illustrator. This makes the process a lot faster for me as I don’t have to fiddle around using the sketch tools on the software. Especially since my shapes were more organic and would be much easier if drawn by hand. After the class we were given a chance to have a go at the software and here is my initial test:

I was able to get feedback on the built of the telescope right before production week which was really helpful. Paddy advised me on a couple of things such as using the cut and join features to make the interlocking parts of the telescope. This would make it a lot easier to align. He also told me to make sure the thickness of the walls of the telescope isn’t too thin as it would have a risk of snapping while people handle it, minimum 2-3mm. Other things he mentioned was to engrave a code or number at the sides of the telescope, so people know which part goes on top of the other. For this, I tried out two methods one where the numbers were engraved in the side of the telescope and one where the numbers were extruding off of the telescope. I feel that maybe the engraved numbers would be a better idea because if the numbers were extruding off of the side it would have a risk of breaking off. The comment about the code gave me inspiration for the poster and I was thinking I could do a poster inspired by the look of a spaceship control panel. I then developed the telescope one more time according to Paddy’s comment. Here is what the final telescope looks like at the moment:

After completing the poster, I started to figure out how I could create mockups of the poster with the 3d object on top. I rendered the object with a white glossy plastic finish, as that is the closest to the material we would be using to 3D print, and captured it as an image in Autodesk (and also went a little overboard with the different angles). Here are how the mockups look like currently:

There is a world of a difference between the first key poster I made and the one I ended up submitting for the end of brief review. I think overall I am quite happy with how it turned out even though I was doubting a lot of things before uploading it. Things like the negative spaces felt awkward and I was worried the text was too small ( I actually made it bigger, it was a lot smaller before this) and the DECAM logo thing at the top left corner. I wanted to incorporate an element from the previous poster but it felt sort of random in the context of this poster. However, after looking at the renders with the 3d telescope on top of the poster, it felt like the poster fit together well, luckily.

The way we reviewed the posters/objects was similar to the previous brief in which we had to fill in feedback forms and then, later on, highlight and comment on specific areas of the poster. It was a bit worrying that I got a feedback that said they weren't sure why the shape of the data defers in size or if the wave/point was on the inside or the outside, it made me think of how I could make that more obvious somehow. Also the comment Hannah wrote about how I could add more info (i.e the exact number of objects found) to the outline that the parts of the telescope sits on sounded like a good idea. The review session made me realize that there are more things I should include as someone who is looking at it for the first time wouldn't already have the background info I have. Paddy also felt that it was easy to see how the telescope would interact with the poster as I had 2 poster mockups, one with the object in its full form and one with how it would be if it was taken apart and laid out on the poster. I am very appreciative of the really nice comments and that people liked my poster and felt that it was the best aesthetically.

I received my telescope and it was really exciting to finally hold what I only imagined and saw on my screen. There are a few places I could improve the telescope in, such as making the little interlocking bit between each part of the telescope bigger so it wouldn't snap and break off easily. Paddy did warn me about making that bit too small but I didn't realize how fragile it could be. I would say I did pretty good for someone who was 3D printing for the first time.