Spatial Experiences
2020.04.16: UNDERSTANDING MODULARITY
My initial approach to this project began with attempting to understand modularity and how 2D objects can be translated into 3D space through planes and geometry.
I began my exploration with really simple shapes (triangles/circles) to focus on degrees in space & their relationship to each individual plane (cartesian).
SKETCH MODELS
(I worked primarily with cardstock here since I had no cardboard around for easy access!)
I started with really simple connections that are 90-degree angles, which gave me a limited quantity of possible structures. I ended up with a pyramid shape (triangle → connections multiplying with each additional tier)
From this format, it would be really easy to make a cube or any other really geometric compositions with enough modules & through using geometry. I also found the negative space really interesting to consider, as the modules themselves were made of circles and the connections were cut at a certain angle. Some of the modular sculptures (?) I found online create interesting shapes out of both physical sculpture as well as the negative space they create, which was interesting to consider.
From there, I moved on to more ‘organic’ compositions by adding more cuts & deliberating not slotting them into the same cuts. I didn’t focus nearly as much on individual modules, but rather the shape the modules would create together. It was interesting to see how the way I approached the sculpture influenced my workflow as well; focusing on creating an interesting shape overall took a lot more time and concentration, whereas going off of something very basic & geometric and repeating it was of course more methodological.
FEEDBACK:
- bending the paper: what does that mean and how can you regulate and think about how to incorporate it in a meaningful way?
- Think about more complex shapes
- the disparity between module form & overall sculpture: does the difference add or take away from it?
2020.04.21: EXPLORING SPACES & INTERACTIONS
Homework: think about scale/people in relation to the space. I lost my tiny person :( Create something using at least 25 modules (up to 3 different types)
For this iteration, I focused more on creating complex and complete sculptures. I was still pretty confused, but this time I set out on creating a modular form that matched its overall sculptural form; I wanted to take an alternative route and focus on the cohesion aspect of the form & configuration.
Because of the more ‘unique’ shape of my module, I had an easier time creating negative space and more organic contours that draws the eye. However, constructing it was also incredibly difficult considering I also set out to bend all the individual modules in a uniform way. This took a lot longer than expected, and at this point, I was still pretty confused regarding what to do.
Process Photos:
Overall, I had three versions created from this one singular module; the first two were abandoned mostly because even though I bent the modules, I had a lot of trouble building up the volume. This was one of my primary concerns at the time, as I didn’t do 90-degree configurations and it was difficult getting my modules to stand taller without them. In the end, I utilized multiple connection points & methods across this one sculpture to create more volume.
My primary concern was that there wasn’t a lot of intentionality behind the design; most of my connections were made out of convenience, which I thought defeated the purpose of a designed space.
Peer Feedback
The other students found my overall design interesting and visually dynamic but had a bit of trouble when it came to understanding the module and the form itself. It was difficult getting a sense of the actual shape & construction (especially because they only had photos for reference) I think in part this is also because I myself didn’t have a good idea on what the form was exactly or what it conveyed.
A lot of the others I saw utilized more geometric compositions that looked more deliberate, so I wanted to focus on that for my next iteration.
2020.04.23
For this iteration, I started completely over and decided to create a modular form + context altogether, since the next step (context/interaction) was what I struggled a lot with finding in my previous iterations. To begin, I wanted to focus my context on someplace that had a lot of natural shapes but one overarching contour. It was a bit strange to be essentially working backgrounds from the descriptions, but I had to try something new from my previous iterations.
Chosen Context/Place: Botanical Gardens
Descriptor Words:
arching
curved
organic
safe
green
enclosed
From there, I thought about basic shapes & connections and things that reminded me of (but weren’t overly representational) of the context.
I ended with a heart shape that was bilaterally symmetrical with cuts across the middle near the bottom & both sides, which gave me three connection points. I brought it back to what I had done for my first iteration and decided to go with a connection that increased as it grew each tier.
I also went with thinner cardboard (I had to buy 5 McDonald’s Filet-o-fish for this), and went with a gradient green color scheme to match my context & overall planned configuration of a tapered growth.
I ended up with a tapered crescent shape that acted sort of like an umbrella.
FINAL Photos
After talking & discussing it with others, I decided to continue iterating on this form (yay) and focus on making the following changes & considerations:
- Scattered light: looks super dense right now, consider using different modules & cuts
- Think about the module as the environment, don’t compose another environment on top of it
- Think about how color can be used on the otherwise (where people will see)
- TAKE PHOTOS FROM A LOWER ANGLE!!!!!! NO MORE DRONE POV
Drawing + Human Scale Reference
04.28.19: MORE ITERATIONS!!!!
Changes from last class:
- more holes to let in small triangles of light (looser configuration, still need to consider cutting more)
- sharper cuts
- more modules added at the back (need to add more still)
- pull back curve slightly (more extruded)
- More natural lighting?
User Testing
Person #1: “ It feels very organic, um, sort of like, I don’t know, a plant igloo?”
(Me: “Plant…igloo…”)
Person #1: “Yeah, I feel like the ends feel a bit too light to me, it seems really fragile. Like it’s smooth and everything so I would want to climb it but the tips are telling me that would be a bad idea. I don’t want to crush it or anything that would be kind of embarrassing because it looks really smooth and nice.”
Person #2: “…Green.”
(Me: …)
Person #2: “I don’t know. It looks leafy, but also kind of pointy? I do want to crawl under it and stuff. I feel like it looks a little dense, I think that’s why it stands out a bit.”
Person #3: “I like the shadow. I think if this were in bright sunlight I’d understand it’s meant to be a shelter better.”
Me: “Do you get the sense you can relax here?”
Person #3: “Sure. Except I’m not the biggest fan of sitting on the ground, but I can see how that makes it look more relaxing. Like, if it were a bench it wouldn’t be as relaxing, you know. That’s like a pit stop. A ten-minute break. Lying down is like, a commitment to your relaxation. That’s an hour at least.”
Me: ”O….kay. Do you think the edges are too sharp?”
Person #3: “I don’t really think it’s too sharp. Leaves have pointy ends. But I think it’d be nice if it were wider. This kind of reminds me of Totoro's big leaf umbrella thing. Maybe if you mind it wider people wouldn’t bag on you for it being too sharp.”
Feedback from class:
- The two front modules feel problematic & too sharp
- Color is very representational of environment
- Space underneath the very front doesn’t really serve a purpose or function (other than look kind of sharp for no reason)
- Better/rounder construction: some of the edges are poking out and look too sharp
- porcupine
- Scattered lighting too far in the back, should bring it to the center & top.
2020.04.30: FINAL ITERATION
I ended up remaking the structure & creating more modules from scratch (yay me) to better fit with the feedback from the class.
Overall, this time I had to be a lot more careful since the modules themselves have to be a very tight fit in order to actually stay standing. One of the biggest things I focused on was getting more volume so people could have space to rest beneath it but still have it be very rounded overall (protruding). This meant that my module fell apart 6–7 times since I didn’t secure them in unless I was sure I wanted to place the module there. (taking them out and replacing them damaged the integrity of the tip)
I decided to paint* the underside black since I envisioned it would be an appropriate experience to look up and see the scattering of light on a very dark background, and that otherwise, it wouldn’t draw too much interest by being too contrasting in color. Daphne brought up an interesting point that both colors could be seen from a distance, so I wanted something that wouldn’t draw the attention away from the green.
This time, I made sure there was a deliberate side of entry/exit, and essentially had it stand on one whole side so I could get rid of the pointy front part that was making it look weirdly menacing.
I also placed it against a neutral background where there would be a strong shadow to appropriately show the light scattering. It was really cool how the light from the triangles manifested into circles (???) which I did not really understand. However, it looks cool & I achieved the effect I was going for regardless.
I also had two types of modules: one without the large center-cut, place around the edges so it wouldn’t be as distracting.
Reflection & Final Photos:
Overall, I’m pleased with the result of this project. I wish I could’ve developed my interpretation deeper with the context and really had a more specific context in mind when I was working, but that could also be because of the incredibly long time I spent doing the physical prototyping.
I thought the aspect of really considering the design from the user’s point of view was really exciting, from all the different aspects it involved. Something I wish that could be considered further was physical material; when looking at the work my classmates did, it looked like some of them thought about metals/wood, but mostly we stuck to colors.
While this is definitely thinking ahead, the intuitiveness of how to interact with an environment is a really interesting thing to take into consideration. When reviewing the initial iteration of my chosen modular form in context, a lot of my friends thought they were supposed to climb it because of how low it got at one point, so I had to shift my design to change that so they could see at a glance they are meant to sit underneath it instead.
My final words were: comforting, safe and the verb was relax!
Thank you!
