Assignment: Voxel Model

Assigned: Tuesday, January 13

Due: Tuesday, January 20 @ class start

Assignment Description:
As a warm up exercise, and to start to familiarize ourselves with the very basics of Rhino, create a model using only 1x1 "voxels" (volumetric pixels) on the grid of the construction plane.  Your challenge is to create an object that in some way represents you, or a part of your life. 

Assignment Requirements:

1.) Create a 1x1 voxel in Rhino, and with grid snap enabled, use the alt+drag the gumball handles of your voxel to quickly clone copies of it

2.)  Create at least two materials to apply to your model in "render" view mode.

3.)  Use basic commands in Rhino to create an object that in some way speaks to you, your personality, your interests, your life....  there is no wrong answer, but we will use this as an opportunity to start to get to know one another.
4.)  Save your model where you can access it next class (i.e. on your one drive (or USB drive as a SECOND backup), google drive, etc)

5.) We will create our process blogs and fist blog post (documenting our voxel creations) together next week during class.

See examples of similar assignment submissions from previous semesters here, here and here.

Assignment: BLOG POST: Voxel Model Render
Assigned: Tuesday, January 20
Due: Monday, January 26 @ noon

Assignment Description

Building on your voxel model from last week, this assignment focuses on presentation, rendering, and documentation. You will refine your existing voxel object and produce a series of raytraced renders that clearly communicate its form, materiality, and details. You will also publish your work as a blog post on the process blog we set up together in class.

This assignment introduces basic ideas around camera framing, lighting, and visual storytelling through renders.

Assignment Requirements

1. Refine your existing voxel model

   • Start from your original voxel object (do not create a new one).

   • Minor refinements are encouraged (cleanup, proportion adjustments, material tweaks).

2. Create 6 raytraced renders

   • Produce 4–6 final images of your voxel model.

   • Each render should show a different angle, framing, or lighting setup.

   • Use camera framing intentionally (three-quarter views, close-ups, detail shots).

3. Detail render (required)

   • At least one render must be a close-up detail, focusing on texture, surface, or a junction between voxels.

4. Render settings

   • Use the Render menu in Rhino. (for Render, Render Properties)

   • Export high-resolution images (1000 px on the short side, minimum).

5. Process Blog Post

   • Publish a new post on your course blog that includes:

     • Your 4–6 final renders

     • A short written reflection (1–2 sentences) describing:

       • What you refined

       • How you approached lighting and camera views

       • What you learned from rendering

Assignment: President's Coaster: Idea Storm & Concept Sketching

Assigned: Tuesday, January 27

Due: Monday, February 3 @ 11:59am (NOON)

Assignment Description

This project invites you to explore the idea of the coaster as a design object. A coaster is usually a flat, round thing that sits quietly under a cup — but what if it could be more? Could it be sculptural, playful, narrative, or even a little strange?

In this first stage, your goal is not to land on a “perfect” design right away, but to generate as many ideas as possible. Think wildly, think experimentally, and don’t be afraid to push past the obvious. What else could a coaster be, besides a circle under a cup?

Requirements

• 12+ concept sketches (quick thumbnails are fine). These should explore a wide range of ideas, materials, and forms.

• A short reflection (1–2 paragraphs) explaining which 2–3 concepts you’re most excited about and why.

• Optional extras: mood boards, collage experiments, or quick 3D doodles in paper, cardboard, or clay.
  
  

Creative Prompts to Push Your Thinking

Choose a few of these to guide your sketches:

• “Wrong Tool”: Imagine a coaster that completely fails at its function — what could it look like?

• “Scale Shift”: What happens if the coaster is the size of a rug, or the size of a coin?

• “Personality Coaster”: What would a coaster look like if it expressed joy, anger, calm, or chaos?

• “Living Object”: Could your coaster change over time, reveal something when wet, or interact with light or touch?

• “Institutional Storytelling”: How might a coaster embody AUArts or the President’s role?

• Material Remix: What if a coaster was made of fabric, mycelium, found objects, or unexpected composites?

• Narrative Layers: Could the coaster tell a story, reveal hidden messages, or connect with others to make a larger design?
  
  

Submission

• Upload your sketches (scans or high quality photos) and reflection as a new post on your process blog

• Bring your sketches to class for group discussion and feedback.

• NUMBER your sketches for easier reference during feedback.

Assignment: Laser Cut Coaster: Select, Refine, Design

Assigned: Tuesday, Feb 3

Due: Monday, Feb 9 @ 11:59am (NOON)

Assignment Description

Now that you’ve gathered feedback on your coaster concepts, it’s time to move from sketches to a refined digital design. In this stage, you’ll select one concept to develop further, explore materials, and model your design in Rhino (CAD) in preparation for laser cutting.

This phase focuses on translating your creative idea into a manufacturable design — balancing experimentation with craft and technical precision.

Requirements

1. Select one concept from your peer feedback session to develop further.

2. Gather materials you plan to use for your final prototype (for example: plywood, acrylic, cork, fabric, or paperboard). Consider:

   • Material thickness

   • Texture, finish, and color

   • Suitability for laser cutting or layering

3. Begin to model your design in Rhino (CAD):

   • Accurately represent the shape, scale, and structural features of your coaster.

   • Use layers to differentiate between components or design elements.

   • Experiment with material representation — apply textures, colors, and materials in Rhino to visualize your concept.

Creative Considerations:

• Does your digital design capture the personality and concept of your sketches?

• How do materials influence the look and feel of the design?

• Could your design benefit from layering, texture, or engraving?

• Does the geometry make sense for fabrication (no fragile or floating parts)?
  
  

Submission

• Bring your Rhino file to class for review and laser-cutting preparation.

• Upload your rendered images and a short description (1 - 2 paragraphs max) of your design evolution and material choices - taking our peer feedback into consideration to your process blog.

Assignment: Laser Cut Coaster: Select, Refine, Design

Assigned: Tuesday, Feb 10

Due: Monday, Feb 23 @ 11:59am (NOON)

Assignment Description

Gather materials and finalize your design for laser cutting.

Requirements

1. Gather materials you plan to use for your final prototype (for example: plywood, acrylic, cork, fabric, or paperboard). 

2. Finalize your design in Rhino.

Document your materials, along with the finalization of your design in a new post on your process blog.

Assignment: COASTER UPDATE (blog post)

Assigned: Tuesday, March 3
Due: Monday, March 9 @ 12pm (noon)

Assignment Description

Update your blog readers on your coaster project.  What is the current state of your coaster design?

Requirements

• Images illustrating your progress (screenshots, sketches, renders, photos....)

• Consider the following elements to document:

  1. overall design

  2. line work for laser cutting

  3. laser cuttable vector PDF

  4. materials you've prepared (photos)

  5. process of laser cutting

Assignment: Laser Cut Coaster: Select, Refine, Design

Assigned: Tuesday, March 3
Due: Tuesday, March 24 @ class start

Assignment Description

This final stage brings your coaster project into the physical world. You’ll prepare your finalized design for laser cutting, select materials, and fabricate your prototype. This stage emphasizes precision, craftsmanship, and documentation — translating your digital design into a tangible, well-finished object.

Before cutting, review the technical requirements and booking information provided here:
👉 [Link to laser cutting preparation and materials guide]
👉 [Link to laser cutting BOOKING]
👉 [Link to laser cutting FILE UPLOAD]

Requirements

Prepare Your Laser-Cut File

• Ensure your design is drawn to scale (around 4 × 4 inches recommended).

• The maximum material thickness is 0.25 inches (¼") — this is the laser cutter’s maximum cutting depth.

• Verify all geometry is closed, clean, and properly layered for cutting and engraving.

• Follow the linked guide for color/layer setup and file export.

Select Your Material

• Acceptable materials include wood, plywood, MDF, acrylic, paperboard, or fabric composites.

• Avoid PVC or any material with unknown coatings or adhesives.

• Choose a material that supports your concept and enhances your design’s look and feel.

Book Your Laser Cutting Appointment

• Schedule a session with the technician using the provided booking link.

• Bring your finalized digital file, chosen material, and any test samples if needed.

Fabricate and Document

• Cut and finish your coaster prototype.

• Capture documentation of your process and outcome, including:

  • Renders of your digital design in Rhino.

  • Screenshots of your laser-cut file setup (layers, cut lines, etc.).

  • Photographs of your final prototype after cutting.
    
    

Creative Considerations:

• Does your final material choice reinforce your concept?

• Are your cut and engraving settings producing clean, consistent results?

• Does the physical coaster reflect the qualities you explored in your earlier design stages?
  
  

Submission

• Upload to your process blog:

• 1–2 Rhino renders

• 1–2 screenshots of your laser-cut file setup

• 3–5 photos of your finished coaster prototype

• Short reflection (1-2 paragraphs) on your fabrication process and results

• Bring your finished prototype to class