Final Presentation

Here is a collage of some fellow students work. Click in to see full size.

During the presentation Siobhan asked everyone what they'd change to the design if there was a second generation stage. I guess with mine it would be incorporating the pattern into the seat and perhaps work with the rocking stability of the form science.

I think I enjoyed this project overall because it got me interested in understanding material attributes (esp. something as unique as Mg) as well as overcoming the fear of calling up manufacturers. This project gave me insight into how different materials have different design possibilities and how new manufacturing technologies can be worked as an asset not a restriction.

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The Cycle of Re-think, Re-draw, and Re-make

During the one-week break, I went out and bought some metal shims and started cutting up the patterns for my chair design...


The pieces will be welded at the seams to make a hemisphere for the rocking body. Might have to iron the metal lace beforehand though. Even though I made it out of metal sheet I actually intend it to be slightly 3D and rounded in thickness.

However,

Due to Rina's absence, I consulted with Oya instead. I guess it's the subjective views... but what Rina liked Oya had doubts about:
Do the patterns of the seating net corresponds to the design of the magnesium body? (I explained to her about the William Morris concept, which, she thought I should simplify and abstract it down - geometry, radial, contemporary, etc.)

Then Andrew came along and questioned the following:
Does the hemispherical form really speak the rocking-chair typology? Does it confuse people in what it intuitively communcates?

Anyway, so I started re-drawing some ideas as well as looking for some existing rocking chair designs to try and understand the visual connotations...

I did come up with a better visual form, but couldn't scan it right now so gonna try and think how I am going to make it first (model + actual manufacturing process) and hopefully resolve something!!

Meanwhile Rina also introduced David Trubridge to me. He utilizes cut out pieces of wood riveted together to form really beautiful and organic products; the patterns in a way resemble what I am trying to express with the Mg malleability, so I went online and looked through some of his designs for external inspirations.

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