MOOD BOARD
Concept
A couple dancing in a ballroom. They will be spinning in a circle around the “ballroom.” On the sides will be faux windows with curtains, with gold accents.
PLANNING
After further exploration, I am now envisioning a range of potential actions that my automata could perform. This expanded thought process involves imagining various scenarios that could enhance the functionality and complexity of the automata, though I went with the first one because I enjoyed the simplicity of it.
Before settling on the ballroom concept, I considered four other options. Here, I’m exploring and planning the various possibilities for each of those alternatives.
SKETCHES
Graphite Sketches
Graphite Sketch
1ST 3D MODEL
First render of the automata, thinking about overall form and the silhouette. Mechanics do not work but are starting to be considered.
LASER CUTTING
Given the numerous circles in this design, woodworking wasn't feasible, especially if I wanted to maximize the use of the wood I had. Another limitation was the "living hinge," which refers to how the wood is cut to create flexibility. The simplest and most efficient method for crafting a living hinge is through laser cutting. So in Adobe Illustrator, I place all the different components of the automata on a 2’x2’ artboard that represents the wood I will be laser cutting.
Adobe Illustrator File
2ND 3D MODEL
The goal of this second model was to create a more aesthetically pleasing version compared to the previous one, while also beginning to understand its mechanics. Although this model did not have spinning functionality, it was instrumental in helping me learn how the piece operates.
