Welcome to our SwaveArt blog where, (three) Two creative collectives converge and started composing their most remarkable ideas  

Begining of SwaveArt Project

Our journey into the heart of community-centric creativity began in the vibrant classrooms of Queen Margaret University, where a diverse tapestry of minds converged with a singular purpose: to explore the depths of creative enterprise. It was here, amidst the fervour of learning and exchange of ideas, that we encountered a case study that would profoundly reshape our understanding of the role of creativity in community development: the Artscape Wychwood Barns project.

This exploration into the Artscape initiative opened our eyes to the transformative power of community-based projects. It was a revelation, a moment of clarity in which the importance of community engagement and collaboration crystallised before us. Through the lens of Artscape Wychwood Barns, we saw the tangible impact of nurturing communal spaces where art and creativity serve as catalysts for social cohesion and cultural enrichment.

Inspired by this newfound perspective and driven by our collective backgrounds in creative disciplines, we were compelled to channel our energies into a project that would not only harness our artistic talents but also serve a greater purpose. Thus, the seed for Beespirit was sown. The vision was clear: to assemble a collective of artists and creators from various industries, leveraging our diverse skill sets to ignite the flame of creativity within our local communities. Our ambition was to transcend the conventional boundaries of art-making, transforming it into a vehicle for communal growth and personal development.

Beespirit aimed to bring the vibrancy of creative expression to community centres and schools, offering workshops and sessions designed to spark the imaginative spirit of the younger generation. We envisioned a world where creativity was not confined to the realms of professional artists but was accessible to all, a fundamental aspect of everyday life that encouraged exploration, innovation, and expression.

However, as we delved deeper into the practicalities of bringing Beespirit to life, we encountered the harsh realities of charitable ventures. The reliance on donations and external funding presented a formidable challenge, one that necessitated a pivot in our approach. It was during this period of reflection and research that SwaveArt was born—a project that retained the essence of community engagement and creativity but was underpinned by a sustainable business model.

SwaveArt embodies the belief that art can be a conduit for joy and emotional resonance. We recognized that everyone has sounds in their life that evoke deep, personal emotions—the laughter of a child, the comforting bark of a beloved pet, or the tranquil sounds of nature. SwaveArt's mission is to capture these auditory treasures and transform them into tangible pieces of art that serve as anchors of happiness and serenity in our hectic lives. Whether it's unwinding after a long day with the sound of your daughter's voice encapsulated in a keychain or being transported to a moment of peace by a 3D lamp illuminating a soundwave, SwaveArt is about preserving those fleeting moments of joy.

As we forge ahead, our commitment to community and creativity remains the bedrock of SwaveArt. We continue to envision future community-based projects, each rooted in the ethos of bringing happiness and creative inspiration to every corner of our society. SwaveArt is not just a business; it's a testament to the enduring power of sound, art, and community to enrich our lives in profound and unexpected ways.

                                                                                                         Our first Logo ideas 

                               Our first ideas and creations that we were working on as a collective

The question we have asked each other: is this idea unique enough?  

The answer we found immediately while presenting it to our classmates in our culture project class was, YES

These are our first sound wave products that we played with creating various shapes in different materials such as wood and acrylic. 

We have created these incredible images that are showcasing visual art that could be composed from sound wave 

At the moment we are working on 3D printed casing for personalised SwaveArt night light 

First prototypes back in November

Final products  in three colour options 

Our first collaboration with real client in studio that we rented at Fife College for two hours.

Little Lilly recording I Love You Mommy - I Love You Daddy 

Our lovely lecturer Tina recording meditating sounds 

A young couple saying to each other I Love You in English and Polish language 

Planning & Pitch Document

Name & Description of Event / Project: SwaveArt

As Queen Margaret University students, we are thrilled to contribute our creative talents to this remarkable project. Throughout our academic journey, we have dedicated ourselves to refined individual skills, meticulously building our respective portfolios. What sets this collaboration apart is our deliberate selection of each other, despite having only recently crossed paths at the onset of this course. Today, we present an exclusive product, a distinctive method of crafting a personalised image from a sound wave.

Project Outcomes / Objectives what you aim to achieve by completion)

  1.   Create a unique platform where sound is transformed into personalised visual art.

  2.    Craft eco-friendly art pieces that capture the essence of cherished moments.

3. Promote the therapeutic and healing properties of sound through sound wave art.

4.  Establish a sustainable business model that supports local communities. Starting our collaborative journey with Andy’s Man Club.

5.  Offer a diverse range of products that cater to a wide audience.

Project Outputs (what specific activity/ies will take place – how, what, where, when)

1.  Sound capture: recording of meaningful sounds from various sources, including newborns, couples, families, pets, nature, favourite songs

2.  Soundwave Art creation: visualisation of recorded sounds into intricate soundwave art pieces[TW2] 

3.  Video documentation: optional behind-the-scenes videos of the recording and art creation process[TW3] 

4.  Product creation: crafting a range of products, including night lamps with a 3D printed case designed by us from scratch, leather bracelets, wooden keychains, printed art. Each of these incredible items will feature a personalized sound wave[TW4] .

5. Exhibition and cultural project: hosting an exhibition showcasing the emotional connections behind each product, along with workshop and live creation sessions where the audience can explore our ideas.

Inputs (what resources are needed, this might include budgets, facilities, equipment, assets, people, risk assessments etc)

1. Recording studio facilities, Sound editing tools, Sustainable and recycled materials, website design, SwaveArt Logo design

2. Collaboration with Saal Digital [TW5] for Printing and a variety of different products that this business offers

3. Artistic expertise: Graphic design, Sound editing, Videography, Make-up Artist Sale and revenue growth, marketing

4. Eco-friendly packaging including SwaveArt business cards, Environmental impact assessment[TW6] ,

5. Engagement and participation in cultural projects, collaboration with Andy’s Man Club, and positive impact on local communities

Outcome Measures / Indicators (How will you measure the success of the project in meeting outcome? objectives?)

1. Customer satisfaction surveys

2. Sales and revenue growth

3. Positive impact on local communities

4. Environmental impact assessment

5. Engagement and participation in cultural project

Monitoring

1. Regular project meeting to track progress

2. Address challenges

3. Ensure alignment with objectives

Evidence

1.Customer feedback, sales data, exhibition footfall

2.Attendance records, sustainability,

3.Report and community engagement

Frequency

1.Monthly project meetings to review progress

2.And adjust strategies

SwaveArt BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS 

Our first client for SwaveArt studio recording

Since our Pitch presentation, we've been busy crafting items for the clients we collaborated with back in November at the studio. Our first client was Tina, our lecturer, whose recordings inspired us to showcase products for our presentation. We designed a keyring featuring a sound wave image with an embedded NFC chip, allowing the sound to be listened to on YouTube. Next, we created a personalised lamp with a sound wave image, featuring a 3D-designed base with an embedded NFC chip. Inspired by these projects, we've since come up with another idea that incorporates the wooden elements we're keen to integrate into our items. 

Next stage of 3D lamp

Our second client for SwaveArt studio recording

Our second client for SwaveArt studio recordings was a lovely couple expressing their love for each other. We designed two prototypes and one final product for them, which we gifted to them just before Christmas. During this time, we were experimenting with various sprays, aiming for brighter and more colourful hues. However, as the project evolved, we began leaning towards exploring more natural colour palettes. 

An NFC chip has been embedded into this exquisite piece of art, which holds the recording of the lovely couple. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMVZHzrxLw

Our third client for SwaveArt project

As this project is one-of-a-kind, with items uniquely designed by us, I was on the lookout for expecting parents willing to share a scan recording of their baby's heartbeat while still pregnant. Despite receiving a few rejections, I remained persistent in my search. Finally, I found someone who was not only happy but also excited about our project. With confidence, she shared the original recording with us, trusting that we would keep it confidential, which we assured her we would. 

Design planning is indeed crucial for achieving a successful outcome, especially when taking on unique challenges like creating something for a client with specific cultural preferences. In this case, being Greek, I embraced the opportunity to craft something truly distinctive. By setting this challenge for myself, I aimed to create a design that not only meets the client's needs but also resonates deeply with her cultural background. Through careful research, creative exploration, and attention to detail, I'm committed to delivering a design that exceeds expectations and celebrates the richness of Greek heritage. 

Step by step:

Our SwaveArt website and social media present 

Our SwaveArt website and social media presence have been an integral part of our journey. While we can currently only share screenshots of our website, which ran until the end of February, we've transitioned to our main business page to optimise costs. However, rest assured that the SwaveArt project lives on. We have seamlessly integrated it into our main website, www.davincienterprise.co.uk, under a dedicated section called SwaveArt. Here, we will continue to explore new and endless possibilities, building on the foundation we have established. Below are some screenshots of our past website for your reference. 

Instagram connections:

SwaveArt website 

As difficult as it was to bid farewell to our SwaveArt website, it marked an important milestone in our journey towards establishing a strong brand presence. Despite the challenges, I take pride in the fact that I was able to independently manage and maintain the website once it was set up. I ensured that all necessary information was added, laying a solid foundation for our online presence. While saying goodbye to SwaveArt was bittersweet, it paved the way for greater opportunities in the world of branding. 

Preparation for All staff even

The event occurred on the 1st of February at Fife College St. Brycedale Campus, and we worked tirelessly to ensure all necessary items were prepared. I suggested creating keyrings featuring the Fife College logo, which proved to be a hit. When Pippa, the boss, visited our stall and immediately sought out the marketing representative, it was clear they loved our ideas and wanted them for their goody bags.

Overall, it was our very first event, and we made just under £400 in less than three hours. However, for us, the significance went beyond the financial aspect; it was about introducing ourselves to the entire staff at Fife College. Given my role in the Faculty of Creative Industry, I knew several people there, and we surprised them and many others by presenting our projects and company.

This event led to further opportunities; Liam Brown from Bridge 2 Business invited us to another event, and James Bisset invited us to the Tree in the Park event on the 25th of May in Dunfermline.

Since the event, we've been in contact with John Elliott, who discussed a new design for the bistro academy during the all-staff event.

Attached are pictures for reference:

Our next Event took place in Kirkcaldy 

This event presented an incredible opportunity to connect with the local community. We took advantage of it by creating leaflets and promoting them on our social media platforms. During the event, we had the perfect chance to explain the SwaveArt project in detail. Several attendees showed interest, sharing stories and envisioning how our products could be perfect gifts for their loved ones. It was gratifying to see the enthusiasm and engagement from the community first-hand.

Our Unique Designs

Introducing our first creation at SwaveArt, wooden keychains with embedded NFC technology. These are not just keychains. We let clients choose from personalised messages or eco-friendly business cards. Anyone can attach them to car or house keys. Your loved ones can hear sweet messages or your contact details are always at hand, all while being environmentally sustainable.

We have designed, laser cut, and hand-painted each item. Our sales reached businesses and a few people that were interested in personalised messages for love once.

Personalised 3D lamps: we were excited to be working on them. We explored acrylics that can be laser-cut and the personalised sound wave message has been designed via various programs. With support from the engineering department, we brought our vision to life by 3D printing bases in a range of vibrant colours.

Mandala’s that were laser cut: After Jakub acquired a laser machine, a world of possibilities opened up with wood. His first creation was a stunning Mandala design, meticulously painted with vibrant colours and carefully layered to achieve a captivating 3D effect. When Marcela laid eyes on this masterpiece, her creative spark ignited. She envisioned adding light to enhance its beauty. Drawing from our experience with acrylic, we seamlessly integrated it between the layers, illuminating our Mandala creation in a mesmerising display. And thus, our journey into illuminated art was born, setting the stage for countless innovative designs to come.

Since then, our creative journey has led us to design a variety of lamps, including charming animals like giraffes, highland cows, owls, and dogs. We've even crafted a lamp featuring our iconic DaVinci logo. Currently, we're hard at work on designs inspired by the thistle and deer, adding even more enchanting pieces to our collection.

We decided to expand our collection by introducing magnets, aiming to increase interest and sales. Our goal was to offer a diverse range of products at various price points to cater to different segments, preferences, and budgets.

We designed special Valentine's Day keychains tailored for a market just before this romantic occasion. Using high-quality base oil paint, we highlighted the natural elements, adding a touch of elegance to each piece.

At the start, we collaborated with online design platforms to purchase various designs. We have done this out of curiosity and desire. This allowed us to gain insights to move quickly through our research and face different aspects of the market.

Now, we take pride in crafting our distinctive designs, which have gained significant interest. We maintain an open-minded approach towards new design concepts and bravely embrace any challenges that come our way. A prime illustration of this is our exclusive partnership with a Craft Shop in Falkland, where our unique creations are exclusively available.

All pictures taken by Jakub with Marcela's assistance 

Design-cutting-painting-gluing-photoshoot-advertising-colaborations-sale

All done by us and all products are made in Scotland. Sometimes a messy job and we Love it. 

Projects for online customer 

From now on, clients can simply send us pictures of their beloved pets, and we will work our magic from there. 

This wonderful client presented us with a special challenge. After receiving a personalised item for Lexie, they were so impressed that they immediately placed an order for Jax on the spot.

Project for Academy Bistro at Fife College Kirkcaldy Campus 

At our very first event, we were approached by John Elliott, and we are now working on designing personalised table stands for him. These stands will feature numbers, the bistro logo, the name, and a QR code linked to their website, all displayed on the front. Additionally, they have requested the Fife College logo and our contribution to be included on the back. We have created two prototypes, both of which were well-received, and we are making a few final adjustments before supplying 15 stands, one for each table. As a token of appreciation, they will also receive personalised keyrings to share with their customers. 

Instant feedback

Everywhere we have showcased our SwaveArt concept, received an overwhelming response of amazement. The progress we have made in designing items and integrating wood elements has generated considerable interest wherever we go. This connection to our work is deeply meaningful, driving us to push ourselves even harder.

Fundraising Application

We have recently submitted a fundraising application to Business Getaway requesting £500 to invest in a new laser machine. Although it's not the specific one we have our eye on, having two smaller laser machines will significantly boost our production capabilities and allow us to share the workload more efficiently.

Sustainability

A Pillar of Our Philosophy

At DaVinci Enterprise, our dedication extends beyond the canvas of creativity; it reaches into the heart of sustainability and environmental responsibility. We recognize that our planet provides the very foundation for our artistic expressions, and it is only fitting that we give back with gratitude and care.

Harmonising with Nature

In our pursuit of art that speaks not only to the soul but also respects the Earth, we have adopted practices that align with our environmental values. Our wooden elements, a testament to our commitment to natural beauty, are treated with nature-based oils, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint. This choice reflects our deep respect for the materials we use and the world that provides them.

A Circular Approach to Resources

Understanding the importance of resource conservation, we've taken steps to ensure that nothing goes to waste. Our wood offcuts and shavings are not seen as mere by-products, but as opportunities for reuse. These remnants are transformed into wood pellets, a sustainable source of energy, which we then donate to those in need. This circular approach not only reduces waste but also provides warmth and support to our community members, embodying the very essence of giving back.

Planting Seeds for the Future

Perhaps our most heartfelt initiative is our commitment to reforestation. Acknowledging that we are all borrowers of the Earth's riches, we have pledged to return a portion of our bounty to its rightful owner - the planet itself. We allocate 10% of our profits to planting new trees, a gesture of restitution and hope for future generations.

In collaboration with local farmers, we have secured a designated area for these new saplings, ensuring their protection and growth for years to come. Our recent order of 105 trees marks the beginning of what we envision to be a thriving testament to our dedication to the planet. This hands-on approach to reforestation allows us not only to contribute to the Earth's lungs but also to stay connected to the very essence of our artistic inspirations.

A Commitment Beyond Art

Our endeavours in sustainability and environmental contribution are more than just adjuncts to our art; they are integral to our identity. We believe that true creativity flourishes when it gives back, when it acknowledges its roots, and when it acts as a steward for the planet. Our initiatives in sustainability are our way of paying forward the gifts we have received, ensuring that the legacy of SwaveArt & DaVinci Enterprise is not only measured by the art it produces but also by the positive impact it has on the world.

The cosmic connection between two team members at DaVinci Enterprise is an intangible bond that transcends ordinary collaboration. It's a coordination of creativity, shared vision, and mutual understanding that constantly pushes us forward in our artistic endeavours. Like celestial bodies orbiting in harmony, our energies align to manifest innovative ideas and bring them to life. This connection fuels our passion, drives our inspiration, and infuses our work with a special magic that captivates hearts and minds. Together, we harness the cosmic forces of creativity to craft unique and meaningful art that resonates with our audience and leaves an indelible mark on the universe ., 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZLN8G35