Collaborative Project
Cinthia Rojas, Joshlynn Lara, Sydney Haake
Embedded Files
Myths & legends - Idea Collage
Myths & legends - Idea Collage
Proposal
Team Members: Cinthia Rojas, Joshlynn Lara, Sydney Haake
Our Theme: Our collaborative project explores how digital fabrication can be used to create wearable sculptural pieces inspired by myths and legends that express and preserve cultural heritage. We are interested in how storytelling, symbolism, and technology can merge to give form to traditional narratives in contemporary ways. Each piece will be designed as a wearable object such as a bracelet, belt, headpiece or other kind of clothing that evokes the essence of mythological beings or ancestral stories without resembling a costume.
By studying myths and legends from different cultures, we aim to identify visual patterns, symbolic forms, and recurring motifs that can be reinterpreted through digital modeling and fabrication. We plan to use Blender and 3D scanning tools like Polycam or Kiri Engine,to develop our designs. The final pieces will integrate materials such as fabric, foamy, and 3D-printed elements, combining handcraft and technology to produce wearable sculptures that honor and reinterpret the visual language of cultural memory.
Additionally, we plan to explore the use of electronics such as LED lighting or simple motion sensors to enhance the visual impact and interactivity of the pieces. This will allow the sculptures to respond to movement or light, making the experience more immersive and appealing while symbolizing the living, evolving nature of cultural heritage.
Technology: We want to deepen our knowledge in Blender to create our sculptures. Focusing on sculpting and texturing features.
We also plan to use 3D scanning apps such as Polycam or Kiri Engine to capture basic shapes of accessories or parts of the body, which we can then modify in Blender. Depending on the needs, laser cutting will be used.
Researchable question:
How can digital fabrication be used to create wearable sculptures inspired by myths and legends that express and preserve cultural heritage?
Timeline:
Concept Development (Oct 30 – Nov 5): Research 6 myths or legends from different cultures and select 2 to work with . Identify main symbolic elements, patterns, or characteristics that can be reinterpreted into wearable pieces. Create initial sketches and concept ideas.
Digital Modeling and 3D Scanning (Nov 5 – Nov 15): Use Blender for sculpting and design exploration. Experiment with 3D scans from Polycam or Kiri Engine as digital bases for accessories or body parts. Define forms, materials, and wearable placement.
Material and Fabrication Tests (Nov 15 – Nov 25): Test 3D printing, laser cutting, and basic electronic components (LEDs, motion sensors). Explore the combination of materials like fabric, foamy, and 3D-printed pieces. Adjust scale and comfort for wearability.
Final Production (Nov 25 – Dec 2): Fabricate final wearable sculptures using selected technologies. Assemble electronic and decorative elements. Apply finishing details and surface treatments.
Exhibition Preparation (Dec 2 – Dec 5) Photograph and document the final pieces. Prepare the VizPro webpage and online exhibition, including renders, process images, and descriptions connecting each piece to its myth and cultural heritage.
Assign tasks:
The first phase of the project will be completed collaboratively. Each team member will research two myths or legends, for a total of six, and together we will select the two most compelling to develop further. Once the myths are chosen, the team will analyze their symbols, patterns, and main characteristics, and create sketches and conceptual ideas.
Each team member will design and produce one wearable piece, resulting in a set of three interconnected sculptures that complement one another and tell a unified story. Every member will be in charge of their piece from modeling to material testing and production.
The individual tasks are the following:
Joshlynn will take the lead on developing these conceptual sketches and visual directions, with input and feedback from all members.
Sydney will be responsible for the 3D scanning process for all the pieces.
Cinthia will oversee the integration of electronic elements (such as LEDs or sensors) across all pieces.
The final stage that includes finishing, detailing, and exhibition setup will be completed collectively, ensuring that all pieces form a cohesive visual and narrative ensemble.
Plan for documenting:
The entire process will be documented collaboratively through a shared Google Drive folder, where all team members will upload and organize their work. This will include research materials, sketches, 3D models, fabrication photos, and testing results. The shared folder will serve as our main workspace for storing and tracking progress.
This documentation will include:
Research notes and references from the selected myths and legends.
Sketches, concept drawings, and design iterations.
Screenshots and screen recordings from the modeling process in Blender and 3D scanning experiments.
Photos and videos of material tests, fabrication stages, and assembly.
Notes on electronics integration, including wiring diagrams or prototypes.
We will also use our VizPro webpage to post major milestones throughout the project, including:
Conceptual Ideas: sketches, myth selection, and visual references
3D Models: screenshots and renders of digital sculpting and design progress.
Testing and Materials: documentation of material trials, fabrication methods, and assembly.
Electronics: photos and videos showing the integration of LEDs or sensors into the wearable pieces.
Online Exhibition of final project.
The final online exhibition (Dec 5) will include high-quality photos, renders, and a brief video of the fabrication process, along with written descriptions connecting each piece to its cultural myth and heritage.
The Process
Concept Development
We started with 6 myths, which were: The Patasola, The Alligator Man, Hades & Persephone, Icarus, The Windigo and The Annabelle. We decided to combine 3 myths due to their relationship with the nature theme: La Patasola, Hades & Persephone and The Windigo.
Myths selection
Initial sketches and concept ideas
Digital Modeling and 3D scanning -
The Patasola (Cinthia)
Leaf: The leaf model was created in Blender using a 3D scan of real leaves to capture their authentic texture and detail. After processing the scan and extruding its outline, the leaf geometry was thickened to achieve a more realistic volume to put a joint on it. The joint was created to connect several pieces simultaneously and allow them to move. Then the belts were modeled from curves, and holes were generated using a simplified pattern of the leaves.
After doing some tests, I decided to change the way the pages were held, switching to holes.
Straps
Digital Modeling -
Hades & Persephone (Sydney)
I used Blender to create the base structure and a few extra elements to be attached on after printing (flowers, pomegranates, symbols).
I made the top band in two halves so that a metal clasp could be attached. The bottom band was modeled as one continuous piece that would be attached to the top halves by chains. All of the twigs and leaves extruding from the band and the extra pieces were scaled and adjusted to fix the curvature of the band.
I exported two STL files to be printed, one with the necklace bands and one with the extra elements.
Digital Modeling and 3D scanning -
The Windigo (Joshlynn)
I had looked at many references and noticed at all deer have different antler growth patterns, heights and widths.
I wanted to make my design have many branch offs and having goof height but also try to balance it since I would have to wear it on top of my head.
I started shaping out the main stem of an antler then went in and added branches to it.
After sub-dividing i was able to go in and add details.
Finally, I cut it up into smaller sections to make it easier for 3D printing
Material and Fabrication Test - The Patasola (Cinthia)
Leaf size test
Initially they were very small, so their size was increased to 70 mm in length.
Strap Material Test
For the straps, instead of 3D printing, I decided to use leather for better flexibility of the piece. The design was transferred to Illustrator to prepare it for laser cutting
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17h9W_SYeQpuRmbc5GQtpEucBoJ6LORKH/view?usp=sharing
LEDs Test
Assembly of parts & Painting
To hide the battery, the cover was designed in Illustrator. Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nb68C6-f7l0JQBnPG8emtw0uqS1bcH1k/view?usp=sharing
Material and Fabrication Test - Hades & Persephone (Sydney)
The first test print of the necklace bands turned out way too small and only took four hours. I fixed the scaling for the next extra elements print (flowers, pomegranate, symbols) and the later on final necklace bands print.
I used 120 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the prints and an electric nail file to remove any extra remnants of the supports.
The final necklace print ended up taking nine and a half hours. The supports around the leaves and stems were difficult to take off so I ended up ripping most of them off of the band so that I could remove the supports and paint them easier and glue them back on later.
I sprayed Krylon matte white paint + primer on all of the pieces before I started painting them.
After painting the necklace bands to look like wood, I glued Ashland Reindeer Moss and Ashland Spanish Moss on opposing sides of the bottom band.
I painted the prints with acrylic paint and sprayed them with Mod Podge Acrylic Sealer. I glued red and white beads to the inside portion of the front pomegranate and added three Bead Landing Skull Beads to the Hades side. I screwed four screw eye pins to the bases of the bands for the chains to connect later.
I finished it by scattering larger red beads around the center of both the bottom necklace band and the chain that connects from the top two bands. I also glued a silver clasp that I already had to the top bands in order to put on and take off the necklace.
Materials from Michaels:
Ashland Reindeer Moss
Ashland Spanish Moss
Toho 11/0 Japanese Glass Seed Beads: Cranberry & White
Bead Landing Screw Eye Pins
Oxidized Brass Chain Spool by Bead Landing
Reconstituted Stone Skull Beads, 12mm by Bead Landing
Glass Faceted Rondelle Beads by Bead Landing
Material and Fabrication Test - The Windigo
I had sent my stl's to the makerspace to be printed, but unfortunately they had to be printed over night due to how large they are. And that caused 3 out of the 6 prints to fail and become what the workers at the makerspace called, spaghetti.
I was able to come up with an idea for my issue, I would intentionally make it look like one the antlers was broken. While for the last piece on the left antler, I would try to get my partners 3D printer fixed to print that last part.
I was able to get it printed, I would only have to worry about painting it a few times to hide the black under.
Final Results
The Patasola
Inspired by the legend of The Patasola, my one-leg piece brings the creature’s haunting presence into the modern world. crafted with leather, layered leaves, and subtle lighting, the design evokes the dense Colombian forest and its nocturnal glow...where the Patasola roams.
Cycle of Persephone
The final necklace shows the contrast between life and death shown in the Hades and Persephone Greek myth. One side of the piece visually represents life, spring, and warmth through natural elements like flowers, leaves, and moss. The other side displays decay, winter, and the Underworld through dead plants, sharp twigs, and skulls. At the center of the necklace is the pomegranate seeds that bound Persephone to the Underworld for half of every year, taking the warm weather and fertile soil with her.
Revenant of the Forest
The head piece I crafted shows a reflection of ones self, through struggles of isolation and un-checked greed remains a monster who has been evolved by his own selfishness. In taking the earth, the earth has returned the favor and taken your soul and body as replacement for the harm you've caused to not only your own soil but to those around you.
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