Design Studio One: Open Design (Part Two): Fab-Shoes

 

 

For the second half of the Open Design project in our studio one class we as groups exchanged projects. Our group inherited the Open Design shoe file. We decided we wanted to go two different directions with the project, one would be making a 3D printed heel, and the other would be modernizing a traditional Arab mens sandal. We ended up with two files for the heel, an illustrator file for the upper, and a Rhino file for the wedge, both files can be edited and printed at any fab lab in the world. The idea for the second shoe was actually to use an Eskafi (shoe makers) to build a shoe for us, and so we would be considering the labor of one man equivalent to the machines in a fab lab. But they actually didn’t have an Eskafi’s in Qatar (weird?) so we had to modify our idea and use a local shoe factory to assemble our shoe (which kind of makes it not an open design project, but there is nothing we could do about it..). For the sandal we created a basic illustrator upper that can easily be modified and cut.

Design Studio One: Open Design (Part One): PEPACAM

Throughout last semester we worked in groups in our design studio one class to create two open design projects. Open Design is a type of design that is based off of the principles of open source sharing of information, it basically means to create a digital file that people can then use as is, or edit, then print/cut at home or in a fabrication lab. Ronen Kadushin’s name was used a lot in our class

For the first part of the project each group came up with their own idea for an open design product. My group at first was really interested in the theme of travel, after we talked about the concept of travel for a while we deconstructed it into the activities that go on during travel. We ended up discussing photography as a big activity for most travelers, then we decided to examine photography in itself. Noticing that analog photography is actually a big trend right now (Lomography) we decided to build a pinhole camera using the Pepakura folding technique we learned in our fabrication class. The file we created is the most basic shape that we could think of, the idea is to allow users to expand off our simple design and do what ever they want with it. We named it Pepacam.

Though its really simple, this was my favorite project of the semester.

New semester/Letter

I can’t believe its been more than a month since I last posted anything, I have so many photos from the end of last semester than I need to add. I wonder when I’ll get to them?

Last Sunday was the first day of the new semester, and its taken me this long to find a minute to update this page.. I’m actually really excited about this semester, it seems like we will be learning a great deal of new techniques, and new ideas. I can’t wait.

On Sunday I checked my mailbox to find that Ghadahs letter had finally arrived. I hope she doesn’t mind me using the image straight off her blog (Its her photo, not mine!).. Here is a link to her original post.

More coming soon…

Final Project in FAB Lab

For our final project in our fabrication lab we were paired up in groups to produce a piece that was made out of repeating bits to make a final large scale 3D object. Me and Aisha wanted to have a little fun with our final so we laser cut cardboard and acrylic to create this sculpture (?). In our critique we were told that it could have had more to do with the location and that we should have gone bigger.. I don’t disagree with either point. But I still had a huge amount of fun building something that I had no idea how it was going to turn out until it was actually done..

I’m going to miss our FAB lab

Richard III at QNCC

I promised myself as I was packing up my life to move to Qatar that I would start doing more things by myself. Not that I particularly prefer to do things alone, its just that I’ve skipped out on too many experiences that I really wanted to try, just because no one else in my life was interested in sharing the experience with me. Anyway, as a birthday gift to myself I bought a ticket to the first show to be preformed at the QNCC theater in Qatar, Richard III. It was a fantastic experience. Kevin Spacey was witty, funny, dramatic, and he had such great stage presence.

Going to the convention center also gave me a chance to finally examine the wonderful Maman sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, that I pass everyday on my way to school. I love how the lighting makes the piece just a little bit more dramatic than normal.

I can’t wait for QNCC to put on their next show.

F is for Faculty

I stopped by the annual faculty exhibition the night it opened, and it was packed! I liked all (ok most) of the faculty work, but I really appreciated the print by Michael Hersrud (speaks to my photography side), and the drawing by Zach Stensen (speaks to my quiet side). If you haven’t stopped by yet you should go, its open until the 21st of January.

Part Two

We’ve been done with the third project for a while now.. I just haven’t really found much time to sit down and post these. The assignment was basically a part two for the “I close my eyes..” project, we were asked to take our 3D models and make them into 2.5D objects by layering or folding material. All my pieces are made out of white bristol paper, and they are all hearts. The first is a failed example of the waffling technique.. I realized after the fact that I had designed the slices for normal paper and then I ended up choosing to cut them out of bristol (which is thicker) and so the slots weren’t big enough and it turned into a huge annoying mess. The second image is an example of Pepakura paper folding. The hardest part of Pepakura is setting up the Rhino file, but once you’re done its so fun to actually assemble the piece. Finally I decided to layer a few cross sections of a 3D model of a human heart. I really had fun losing myself in the construction of this project.. and I think I’ve fallen madly in love with the laser cutter

Beaker

We went to buy Kitty a carrier at Souq Waqif and came home with a baby Budgie. He is so cute!

VCUQ Painting and Printmaking Open House

I stopped by the painting and printmaking open house yesterday. I finally know why my linoleum prints didn’t work last year.. I didn’t own a fancy printing press! I’m glad I stopped by.. even though I won’t have time next semester to take a printmaking class, I think I might look into a summer class or something. The prints that were on display were breathtaking..

Cai Guo-Qaing: Saraab

Yesterday me and half of VCUQ made the five minute drive over to Mathaf to attend my first event at the gallery since signing up for grad school in Qatar. I’m really glad I finally made it out there, and I’m pretty annoyed with myself for not making it to their Suwalif exhibit. The experience yesterday was truly unique, from the sound of bombs exploding, to the feeling of the explosions as they rocked your insides. It was the first time I’ve ever attended an opening in which I felt that all my senses were completely engaged. Then the actual exhibit was so calming and inviting, its amazing how much work he was able to put together in such a short amount of time. And the cool winter weather was just the icing on the cake.

Click here for AlJazeera clip from the explosions.