Design Lab | Spring 2020
PREMISE
By using shapes, dimensions, and other visual elements, this project aims to study how physical form can shape an experience through space and emotion.
EXPLORATION | MODULES & CONFIGURATIONS
My first approach to understanding modules started with studying how different physical shapes can be arranged in space. By using smaller shapes and pieces, I was able to do a lot of exploration how different arrangements can create a variety of overarching structures.
I began my exploration and studies by drawing a few sketches and cutting out a few experimental pieces of cardboard.
However, I quickly realized that many of my shapes were a bit too ambitious, especially with the size constraints of 1 x 1 inch and the nature of the cardboard. Having rounded or complex figures was a bit difficult to carry in a clean manner, which I realized would only hinder the integrity of the configurations.
Once I played around with a few general pieces, I started cutting more geometric and simple shapes from cardboard. My first module was a piece of cardboard cut with quadrilateral form and two uneven slits.
Continuing with the geometric style of my module but straying from the quadrilateral shape brought me to experiment with a module that had two triangles and two straight edges. Although the slits allowed for a similar pattern for my first configuration, the multitude of sharp edges created a much different essence for the structures.
I found that cutting with cardboard was much more difficult with the tiny slits, so maintaining clean craft in each of the cardboard modules was very difficult, especially due to the bendy nature of corrugated cardboard.
For my second configuration, I aimed to be a bit more strategic with the assembly by first creating smaller patterns of structure with individual modules before combining clusters together.
Afterwards, in order to preserve cardboard and experiment more with organic form and scoring, I switched my final module to water color paper while still using a similar slit pattern.
One major issue I found myself facing when working with the watercolor paper and organic form was the nature of my slits. Because I was used to working with cardboard, I made my slits too large on the watercolor paper which it made it very difficult to wedge and lock the connecting pieces.
On top of the large gaps, having the slits only on the sides of the organic module made it difficult to stack upwards like my cardboard modules, so I found myself being constrained to horizontally-oriented configurations.
MODULAR STRUCTURE| DEVELOPING PATTERNS
Moving forward, I spent a lot of time exploring a variety of modules that could create potential structures that would appear to be cohesive. I was interested in my triangular module from my previous exploration, but I wanted to push it further to create a more interesting structure with potential to build upon.
However, I found myself spending a lot of time understanding connections between a single module in order to find rules or patterns that would create a structure.
However, after abandoning my attachment to triangular scoring, I found a much simpler module that would create a more complex structure when following a certain set of rules:
- Only side cuts can connect to side cuts
- Only bottom cuts can connect to bottom cuts
By following these simple guidelines, the rest of the structure was formatted based on creating outwards symmetry from the first segment.
Using different segments from my modules, I created my first modular ring that was the foundation of the structure. By following a pattern of segment attachment, creating a well-fitted ring gave me a major component to a larger structure.
After connecting the three rings together and continuing with the symmetry, I found myself with two different orientations that both have potential to move in different directions.
MODULAR STRUCTURE | ORIENTATION 01
For this orientation, I feel as though it would be really interesting if I can continue pushing the modular rings upwards to form a cohesive structure.
MODULAR STRUCTURE | ORIENTATION 02
For this modular structure, I could see potential with it moving outwards from the other sides in order to form half a sphere.
The scale and potential idea for forming a sphere-like structure reminded me of jungle gyms, which led me to choose the action verb climb for my human interaction.
Although I am still overall open-minded to trying out different orientations and continue thinking of ways to use modular rings, I do see potential for providing an immersive and interactive experience for people of all shapes and sizes and climb.
EXPERIENCE | ADDING COLOR & LIGHTING
While keeping my module structure the same, I began experimenting with characteristics of my structure that would convey a certain essence of my structure. After playing around with a few ideas for locations, a lot of people agreed that my modular structure would be fit for a park or gym of some type.
With this in mind, I chose my physical context to be located at a beach park. I wanted this location to be relaxing, playful, and active.
Using soft blues and whites of the ocean, I decided to create a subtle gradient that starts with a deeper baby blue that transitions to white as you move up the structure.
However, due to my concerns with having enough cardboard to remake all of my pieces, I focused on the concept by painting in the key modules in the structure to convey the most important layers.
Afterwards, I started playing with different placement of light to study dramatic light. Before I painted the pieces later on, I made sure to capture my module in natural light to study the effect that would occur if it were on the beach.
Afterwards, I placed a lamp in different spots around my module structure. This focused on dramatic lighting, direct lighting, and overall studying different shades of light too.
One thing that I considered was that if the structure is located outside on the beach, the lighting will change throughout the day as the sun rises and sets. This also provides a variety of soft lighting and harsh lighting, depending on the day.
LOOKING BACKWARDS
- Choosing the word “relaxing” doesn’t necessarily fit the mood of the structure with all of the modules that jut out
- The top of the structure leaves an open space that is uncomfortable for the user to climb on
- Consider using lighting to create the gradient effect of the blue instead of using different shades of blue
MOVING FORWARDS
- Find a different adjective other than “relaxing” to describe the user’s experience with my structure
- Find a place to sit comfortably at the top of the structure so the user can take a break after climbing to the top
- Play around with different tones of blue and lighting to organize the structure
- Consider painting the rims of the cardboard to show where to put the hands
USER INTERACTION | ADJUSTING FEATURES OF THE MODULE
To start with the structure, I began cutting other types of modules to see what forms would fit into the top part of my module ring to create a platform for users to sit. However, given the right structure and angle of the slits from the existing modules, I faced a few difficulties coming up with a creative way to add a platform at the top.
My ideas for a new module were difficult to incorporate when aiming to create a base structure, so instead of focusing on scoring many small pieces, I decided to try connecting on large base that would support the user.
Using a simple 2x2 inch square, I cut slits into the angled pre-existing modules that stick out in order to wedge the new square into the bottom of the ring. In order to create a tighter fit, I cut slits into the square so they would lock tightly with all of the pieces.
Next, for color, I began incorporating more gradient blues for key modules in my structure. I chose to only stick to a few more key features to highlight a path and create a pattern amongst the three ring structures. I also painted the square white to maintain consistency with the gradient and top ring.
Afterwards, for the pieces that jut out in the middle, I chose to paint the rims dark blue to show where the user can grab and move through space without distracting the color from the key modules.
Using the strong and natural light from the sun, I opened a window to take pictures to simulate a bright, playful environment for my structure that would be seen on the beach.
However, painting the rims dark blue on the two side rings was difficult due to the corrugation of the cardboard, so it turned out a bit messier than I hoped, and it was not as clear with the strong lighting.
Taking pictures of my module under the sunlight gave a much more different energy than my previous pictures. Also, the platform at the top was effective, but I might consider shortening the pieces that hold it together to give more room for the user to rest after climbing.
After the refinements, I showed pictures of my structure to other people in order to gauge their emotions or feelings when experiencing my model. However, it was often interpreted in many creative ways that were not strictly adjectives.
- “I would feel like a hero at the top, like Santa Claus riding his sleigh. It would be hard, but I think I would find the experience rewarding. The sharp edges kind of contribute to that challenge or feeling of adventure, but I think if it were rounded it wouldn’t feel as engaging or easy.”
- “It would definitely challenge my fear of heights. But also I think it would be good exercise. It would help me drop the weight that I gained in quarantine. Some words that come to mind are adventurous, active, and adrenaline-heavy. Also, the colors are very earthy.”
- “The experience would probably be like climbing on some type of jungle gym. The top feels very nest-like, almost feeling like some kind of fortress. You would probably feel a sense of accomplishment when you settle down at look at your surroundings at the top, and the white definitely shows the highlight of the experience is in the middle.”
Overall, a lot of the feedback was what I was striving for. Especially after hearing about other people’s perception of the experience, I would say that if I had to narrow down a list of three words, it would be playful, adventurous, and rewarding.
MOOD & CONTEXT | ADJUSTING FEATURES FOR THE USER
Moving forward, I planned to make adjustments to the color of my module in order to capture a more fitting and intentional mood. Although I already had the key modules painted a gradient of blues, the rest of the module pieces seemed unintentional or unfinished with the brown cardboard.
Because I had intended for them to appear as planks of wood in order to make my angular structure more approachable and designed for humans, the next direction of refinement for my module focused on making the wood appear more friendly to climb on.
Because I did not have detailed paint brushes or a lot of paint to individually paint all of the brown cardboard pieces, I digitally painted the wood using a small airbrush on procreate.
Taking a brush and drawing out every stroke of the wood texture was definitely tedious, although the the overall result made my module appear a lot more intentionally colored, and the soft blues and golden wood planks made the structure feel a lot more climbable.
Next, I decided to scale down my figures in order to shape the experience more towards my chosen adjective of “rewarding.” By making the structure a longer climb for the user, the feeling of achievement at the top would make the climbing become much more rewarding, and the nest/resting area at the peak would be a lot more comfortable.
By scaling down the figures, my structure felt much more enjoyable to climb with a higher level of engagement towards the top and a greater sense of reward at the peak.
FINAL PICTURES
REFLECTION
This project focused on the significance of building and reshaping a user’s perception of a space using visual elements. Asking other people about how they perceive my space was a crucial aspect of the process because I realized that my intentions as a designer might not always necessarily line up evenly with other people’s ideas.
In addition to building off of other people’s thoughts and perceptions, color and light played a crucial part to creating the proper mood to the structure. Although my structure was very large and angular, the use of the blues helped guide direction and also made the white platform at the top feel much more rewarding, and the wooden planks helped soften the intimidating nature of the structure by making it feel more approachable and designed for humans.
With a project that could result in so many different final deliverables, using a process that was reliant on other people’s emotions and ideas took my structure in a unique direction that I had not anticipated at the start. Looking back, building an entire environment using cut pieces of cardboard, paint, and light gave me a deeper understanding of how the most subtle visual elements can shape an experience.
