Utilitarianism • Wood • Compress

A compressible living space meant for the forest, open to and meant to unite the self with nature. It has three floors/rooms, for a basic but comfortable level of living.

It is meant to be a utilitarian home that is sustainable and convenient but is also meant to inspire dreams and freedom in one’s heart. This is embodied in the slides connecting the floors, which not only allow one to travel faster but have also evolved from absurd homes I used to imagine in my childhood. I use these slides to convey a sense of childish freedom. Along with this, I hope to inspire imagination with the floating stairs. I believe that wood is the best material for this purpose because it invokes nature and has a very warm, earthy feel.

Apart from its intangible qualities, wood is a sustainable material, which makes it ideal from a utilitarian perspective. This is furthered by the fact that the home is compressible and moveable. Since utilitarianism is a moral philosophy wherein the greatest good is defined as the happiness of the greatest number of people, it can be seen in both a positive and a negative light. Firstly, sustainability is very clearly positively utilitarian, because it is meant for the betterment of the environment, which is indispensable for society to continue existing as it is. However, I don’t like the part of utilitarianism that prioritises the happiness of the collective over the happiness of the individual. To me, the happiness of the individual is also important, and therefore this home also serves as a home for the soul; an escape from the pressure of life in a society, away from the implications of the negative part of utilitarianism.

I feel that pressure from society or one’s perception of society compresses the mind and forces it to be smaller than it is truly meant to be. Often, this negative compression is felt by every single person, either consciously or unconsciously. In fact, I was able to incorporate my own current experience of this negative compression into my design, which stems from living in a new culture so different from mine. I was able to give myself freedom through designing a space that embodied the freedom I desired, to remove the compression of the soul through a physically compressible space. For this, I realised that nature already had everything I wanted. I feel that untouched forests have a magical feel, both wild and free. Therefore, I decided to create a forest home completely open to nature, where the soul thrives, against the negative implications of utilitarianism. And again, the best material to connect with nature is wood.

This brings it full circle, where wood contributes to utilitarianism, which has a negative side that leads to negative compression, that can be alleviated in a compressible home made of wood.

Inspirations/mood (books and music): Jacob Collier’s Hideaway, The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Handmade Cities by Plini, Perpetuum Mobile by Penguin Café Orchestra

Today we explored the JFFA Pathway with the project Wear it. We created a piece of jewellery or accessory meant for the body. To do so, we had to take into consideration the proportions of the body, which was an interesting part of the project. In the beginning, when we were shown the presentation, I was intrigued to see designs that changed the face, and designs that weren't necessarily pretty, but very striking (Wear it Research). Then, we were given three words: Surround, Suspend and Support; one of which we had to base our design around. At first, when we wrote down several concepts related to each word and discussed it, I realised two things. The first was that discussing the words gave me a wider viewpoint related to these words, because there were so many more interpretations of them which I would have missed out on if we hadn't discussed them. The second realisation was that all these words were interrelated. I used this realisation in some of my sketches when we were making ten sketches for each word.

While sketching, I found it easier to be able to make designs for Surround than it was for Suspend and Support. I was able to make 10 designs in 10 minutes for Surround, but only about 7 designs in the same amount of time for Suspend and about 5 for Support. I was also more satisfied with my designs for Surround; maybe I subconsciously liked/decided upon that word during the discussion. When we narrowed down our designs to the best three, all of them were from surround, for me. I finally considered feasibility and time constraints, and I chose the design.

I sketched this design out in more detail on a larger page after all the other designs. The concept I used was 'influence', where I drew on my experience of how one's surroundings influence a person to think, act, and speak in a certain way that changes depending on where they are/who they are with. I converted this into a jewellery piece which focused on the mouth: I wanted to surround the mouth and focus on it while blocking out the rest of the face: expressions with the eyes and the cheeks; the person can only express themselves through expressions with the mouth, or through words. I acknowledged the fact that not everything one says/does has to be pretty or beautiful or conform to the norm. With this in mind, I created a mouthpiece and an eyepiece: the mouthpiece emphasized on the mouth, and the eye piece blocked out the eyes and cheeks; with this, the models were forced to speak, smile and laugh through their mouths, I removed all signs of subtle response/implicit face expressions from the face.

I had no problems while making the model, in fact, I had learnt from my previous model-making experiences and planned my time out so that I would be able to complete the model in time. I used whatever materials I had in hand; I had originally wanted to make the piece purple and black in colour together to give it a beautiful but ominous feeling, but I had no purple colour with me. So, I made the piece completely black; the papers of the mouthpiece curled back as if the mouth was the centre of a flower (but not a pretty flower), while I made the eyepiece with garbage bag material, because it was flexible enough to be used on anyone's face and still block their expressions. I am very satisfied with the outcome. The atmosphere created when I used it on my model was very noticeable, and I loved making the project, overall.

We were given two days to do our primary and secondary research. The primary research task entailed choosing twelve words from the visual dictionary and documenting at least two surfaces/structures related to each word. I chose most of my words at random, because there were so many similar words, and I wasn't particularly interested in all of them. However, some words, especially Tessellated and Folded, appealed to my personal tastes. At first, the task was very difficult, there were so many places with so many types of surfaces to choose from. After about five or six sketches and pictures, I decided to change my strategy: I gave myself constraints by limiting the places in which I could find surfaces. I chose to explore my room and kitchen, to see how many different types of surfaces I could find all around me. This made my research a lot more fun, and I was satisfied when I completed it. I was especially happy about the word 'textured', which I realised was an integral part of our food- so many different types of food had so many textures, which is why I chose to document food I had made for my research.

Secondary research entailed choosing six words and finding three works by artists/designers related to each word. I wasn't sure where to start from here, so I referred to the bibliography in the research brief from where I found some pictures of pieces that interested me. From there, I googled the artists' and designers' names and found new pieces that I liked from other artists or designers that were included in the search results. In this way, I went 'picture-hopping', and found several pieces I loved. I was especially intrigued by the folding techniques and results from the book Folding Techniques for Designers from Sheet to Form, by Paul Jackson, because of the clean, tessellated shapes that were formed. One of the first artists I came across was Sidsel Hanum. I loved her pieces because of how clean yet organic they were. I was very intrigued: their level of detail, their curvature along with their irregular but somehow patterned structure. The algorithmic tower by Junkai Jian and Jinqi Huang was another design that inspired me, because of its beautiful pattern and almost skeletal structure. When I put my most prominent secondary research in my sketchbook, I realised that it became a mood board, because a lot of designs I had chosen had similar themes, which gave me a ballpark idea of what I wanted my design to feel like.

Overall, I was much more satisfied with my secondary research than my primary research, because while my primary research explored different types of structures and surfaces, I wasn't given the freedom to choose interesting surfaces and structures that I liked, instead it was more controlled by the words that the structures and surfaces were supposed to relate to. On the other hand, my secondary research gave me a lot more freedom to choose pieces that appealed to me, and as a result, I feel that it will be a lot more effective in giving direction to my designs for this project.

Lastly, I realise that I spent a little too much time on research, and ended up working overtime and losing sleep, which I realise isn't the point of the task. My goal is to work much more efficiently and faster to be able to accomplish the same amount in less time, which requires better time management. From now on, I will try make a rough plan for the whole project, so that I have a structure to follow and guide me, which may make me more efficient.

After doing research, we made four sketch models in 15 minutes each. This was in place of sketching our ideas in our sketchbooks, much like sketching but in 3D. We had to choose one word from our visual dictionary and base our abstract model around that word. I had done my research and included it in my sketchbook, so I found it easy to use my secondary research as a mood board to include key ideas and themes in my sketch models. I was especially interested in the words tessellated, faceted, structured, textured and folded, so I focused on those words when making my models. At first, I wasn't very confident about making a 3D model in only 15 minutes, so I made a very small one. I was quite satisfied with it at the end, because while it was simple, it was very elegant, and was centred very visibly around the word 'tessellated', which I had chosen. I was also very happy with my next model, which was centred around the word 'structure'. Interestingly, I was planning to make something else for the second model, but halfway through I realised that I didn’t have enough time to make it, so I took a leap of faith and crumbled a part of it, and the result was amazing. This is my favourite model, along with the first one. My third and fourth models were interesting, but I felt that they weren't as clear and striking as the first two were. In hindsight, it might be because they weren’t as simple as the first two models were, and from my research I see a certain type of pattern, not exactly simple but more of well balanced and not over-embellished, which I saw in my research but not in these two designs.

After making models, we put them into context by sketching them in our notebooks as products/spaces/jewellery. I made a double page spread of different purposes and designs for each model. I made the most designs for my second model, but I also felt that the first model used as a piece of jewellery would be amazing. I was quite satisfied with my designs because not only were they good on their own, they were also related to my secondary research, especially with the words tessellated and structured. While I was happy with my designs, I also wanted to develop more designs after doing more research, to see if I could think of anything else. I am especially excited about the first model as a piece of jewellery, the second model as a tube station, the second model as a tunnel entrance, the second model as a piece of jewellery, and the second model as a sleeping pod.

To be prepared for Monday, I need to do more research, come up with 5 design briefs, and think of materials to bring to class to make them with.

Over the weekend, I did more research and developed my ideas. After making the models, I looked at artists' and designers' works based on the models I made. I was especially inspired by Iris Van Herpen's 3D printed shoes, and Zaha Hadid's 3D printed Vase. Interestingly I noticed that a lot of the works I liked were 3D printed, which was probably what allowed for such complex shapes and structures. On Saturday, I visited the Design Museum to look for inspiration. I wasn't let down, Firstly, I explored Sustainable Materials through the exhibit "PriestmanGoode Presents Get Onboard: Reduce, Reuse, Rethink", where I saw how there is so much wastage when it comes to airplane travel. PriestmanGoode experimented with may sustainable and biodegradable materials, which I hope to be able to use in my own idea, too. 

The next exhibit which inspired me was "Designer Maker User", which "gives an introduction to the history of contemporary design". I found a few faceted forms which I found quite beautiful and was able to see a 3D printer working in real time, which was very interesting to see. One design that I loved was a dress, which was made from string produced by heating plastic bottles. Not only did I love the concept, I also loved its geometrical design.

I feel that I would love my own design to be somewhat skeletal in nature.

While I did all this research, one thing I couldn’t do was properly develop my ideas. Not only did I have poor time management between focusing on small details rather than the whole idea, I also ended up not really liking any of my designs. As a result, I haven’t chosen a design to develop by now, even if I have developed five of them. Unfortunately, I am not sure what to do at this point. I know that whatever model I am making will require paper, tracing paper and wire, which is fine and that I can get, but I am not sure as to what my design is. Hopefully, I can get advice from the tutors so that I can find my way again.

After research and thinking of ideas, I wasn't sure which one to choose. Therefore, I consulted with my groupmates (we were put into groups to discuss our ideas in the morning), who liked the walkway idea the most. So, I took it forward, and developed it some more. Firstly, I wanted to decide the light-related properties of the material I would be using. To do this, I created a small model with mirror paper (for metal- reflective), tracing paper (translucency), and a paper sheet (opacity) as different parts of the structure. With this, I was able to visualise what the larger actual walkway would look like if it had each of these properties. I decided that I liked the translucent design the most. I went ahead and did some more research into walkways, which was when I came across sky walkways. I was very interested, because I always love bridges and heights, especially being able to see the ground through one’s feet, therefore I did some more studies on walkways in the sky. I even found a design like mine, (without the consideration for light, thought), at Farringdon Station, which was interesting to see because I was able to visualise my design even better thanks to this. Apart from that, when deciding the context, I knew that it wasn't to be between two buildings, and instead wanted it to be in a wide, open area. In fact, I searched for open areas and all I got were green spaces, while I wanted to use this in an urban context without green throughout. After some thought, I finally realised that king's cross would be the best choice, it was open, and I had even been there and realised that it would be amazing if it replaced the straight, small bridge there. I wanted it to be curved for sure, because this idea was shaped with the backbone in mind, because to me it resembled the spine a lot.

After finalising the context, I decided to make a larger, scaled model. Of course, I made it only of a section of the bridge, but I put people inside to show the scale. I made the bridge of transparent material so that people could see inside, but I made a section of tracing paper so that people could see what it would look like. However, when I experimented with light on the model, I found that the effect of light was the most prominent on the transparent material! Now, I am trying to decide whether to change the material to something transparent or stick with translucency.

I also need to decide on the walkway's lighting in the night and finalise the materials and process of building it.

I was moving forward with the bridge when I realised that while I did like the idea, I wasn't a hundred percent enthusiastic about it. Therefore, I consulted with a tutor, who told me exactly what I felt: I had gone too safe with the design and made it a bridge/walkway. I realised my mistake. Therefore, I made a list of things I wanted to change about the bridge design, disregarding usability and comfort: this included making it much narrower and keeping it on the ground. The tutor had told me that this could be a catwalk, and the idea kept simmering in my mind, especially when I realised that this would be the perfect setting: dramatic, and a walkway meant for only two people side by side. Therefore, I decided to take this idea forward. I was very inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent Catwalk SS20 Lighting and felt that similar lighting would create a beautiful texture with my structure.

I also experimented with the thickness of the sections of the structure, along with deciding to integrate metal, transparent and translucent, so that it would be translucent in beginning, and then completely transparent except for some reflective metallic parts spaced out from each other. While I have researched the materials and made a somewhat scale, I need to make exact specifications, which I have not done so yet.

After deciding on the design, I made a small sketch model to test if the mixing of textures would work. I feel that it did, but however they should be as spaced out as possible. I realised that I didn't have much time left, which may have been due to my constant changing of ideas, and therefore I decided to start making the final model, how much ever pressed in time I was to finalise the tiny parts of my design. I made a small plan for my final model, and then started manufacturing it. I had underestimated the amount of time it would take me to make the model, however, and it has spilled onto the next day.

If I had more time, I would have liked to make a small working model showing how the lights would glow in patterns, however, I can only make a small section to scale at the moment, which doesn't work as it should.

Today, I completed my final model. I used both the plastics and the metal workshops for this. Since I had already made the base and top for the model the day before, I just had to join them together. But before that, I went to the metal workshop and made the metal reflective part of the model out of thin aluminium foil. However, when making the part, I realised that there wasn't any way I could join the metal top to the plastic bottom without having it show. I did think of this before, but I thought that superglue might work. When I talked to the technician, he said that a glue gun would work, but I didn't want to use a glue gun because they were sloppy and would show through the model. Therefore, the technician and I brainstormed some more, and came to a decision. We wrapped the ends of the aluminium piece around one of the Perspex tubes that went through the base, so that it would stay. I feel that this was an appropriate decision because while this was visible, it didn't seem out of place at all. I was very satisfied with the outcome.

After this, I joined the rest of the plastic top with the base, through superglue. It was a slightly bumpy ride here too, because some parts of the top I had made before had just come apart. they were very delicate in that if not bent carefully, they would end up breaking. The next time I made the parts, I took a little more care, and they turned out alright when I stuck them. I also separated them into sections so that it would be easier to stick them to the base.

After completing the model, I quickly made a background for it to be in, I made it out of black card because the catwalk was supposed to be used in the night. A student suggested that I cut a hole in the card for light through the base, which I did, and it looked amazing. All that was missing was the fibre optic cables that were supposed to go through the Perspex rods in the front, which I will do in the morning tomorrow because I had ordered them earlier and they weren't with me at school.

After the model, I started making my double-page spread. I wasn't sure what to put on it at first, so I referred to my spread from ILLUMINATE, and picked out the most important details: context, development, research, inspiration and materials. I put black paper on the page to bring out the context of the project, so it would give the viewer a feel for the design Next, I took photographs of my most important pages and put them for viewers to see my inspiration and development at different stages. Just like earlier, I dedicated a whole page to the picture of my model, but this time also included the materials it the model was made of, along with those the actual design would be made of, because I felt that material was an important point of discussion in this project.

Ultimately, I am happy with my results from today, but also realise that I need to plan my time better. I have been awake till 3 AM, which is not a sustainable practice for me. Rather than doing this much work to detail, I should not just plan my time for perfect work but also take into account bumps and issues that I may come across, so that I can find the right balance with my work. I also feel that this design in the end became somewhat similar to my ILLUMINATE design project: stark white light in the dark, and a theme of distortion. The black page spread brings it even closer.

In the morning right before the crit session, I completed the lighting of my model. I used fibre optic cables in the front to make the model as accurate as possible. Since it was my first time ever working with fibre optic cables, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I decided to treat them as normal plastic wires. I first tested them out and fund out that they only glowed at the ends, so I cut them at different lengths and put them together into a tube, so that they would glow throughout the tube. It took much longer than I expected, because I was very focused on making the model perfect, and even cut out black paper for my iPod and phone so that they wouldn't disrupt the space and mood of the model. Finally, when I completed it, it was time for the crit session

The crit session was slightly intimidating, because some people had to talk about their work in front of everybody else. I was apprehensive, and did want to speak, but unfortunately my design wasn't chosen. I got a clue as to why from the feedback that I saw on my crit sheet. Along with that, I feel that this is because of several reasons. Firstly, I spent too much time on perfecting my model rather than making sure my double page spread was attractive and explained everything properly and visibly. This is mainly concerning the idea development, where rather than cramming too many pages into my spread, I should have focused on the main parts of each page and reduced the number of research images displayed, because it would have then been more clear to the viewers. Apart from this, I felt that this design of mine wasn't as striking as my ILLUMINATION product because I wasn't as enthusiastic about this design as I was about my lighting product. While I went through the while development phase of this project and did a lot more research here than I did for ILLUMINATE, I didn’t have that 'Aha' moment in my mind where I felt this was the best design for my project, that I did have for ILLUMINATE.

The feedback from the crit sheet also said that practical issues were resolved in the model, but that it would have to be built in a different way in real life. I agree with this statement and realise that my research should have also included how the structure would be built in real life, so that I could have shown my model getting built in real life in this manner. If I had some more time, I would have also wished to do more research and built my design out of sustainable materials rather than Perspex. I also wish that I would have been able to incorporate my research from the Design Museum into my design, however the materials there were meant for small-scale disposable products, while I was designing a much larger catwalk.

Overall, I enjoyed doing a Spatial Design project, but would much rather design a Product. I would have loved to design an everyday useful item that people interact with. While designing a space was nice, I don’t see myself doing it all the time. I tried out spatial design to see if I preferred it, but in the end, I prefer product design after all.

Final Model Complete with Lights

 CRIT SHEET