module four: reflection

Christian Ong 629928 Student Journal

Virtual Environments 2013 | Semester 2Tutorial 6|Lyle Talbot

Module 1: Ideation

Ideation | Design | Fabrication | Reflection

Module 1: Ideation

The main ideas extracted from the umbrella was the variety in usage of hinges, the presence of tension and compression forces in certain components, and the interdependence between the fabric (skin) and arms (bones) in operation, and in determining the form of the umbrella.

OBJ

ECT

STU

DY

The brief calls for an innovative design of a second skin; a wearable volume or surface that accomodates the body. The second skin will explore, measure, and/or negotiate the boundary of personal space.

The object chosen for exploration with regards to the second skin project was the umbrella, with the un-derlying material system of skin and bones. Analytical and measured drawings were produced to inves-tigate the individual components and overall functionality of the umbrella.


In reading Personal Space: The Behavioral Basis of Design, Sommer (1969) describes personal space as an area with invisible boundaries surrounding a person’s body into which intruders may not come. He further explains it as a portable territory since the individual carries it with him wher-ever he goes.

Sommer (1969) also suggested that one’s personal space is not specifically spherical, and that it may not be extended equally in all directions from the body


PERSONAL SPACE

The 1st prototype was made from plain cardboard, garden tie, and glue. It encompasses the ideas extracted from the umbrella and from the readings, and utilises the system of hinges, and uses tension and compression to change or maintain its form.

The prototype changes its shape when a force is exterted at the top joint of the three arms. As the joint is pushed down, the ends of the individual arms, relying on their individual pivot points, will move upwards, creating a reaction. However, the ends of the arms are restricted and pulled back by the garden tie, which acts as the tension member in the system, allow-ing the prototype to return to its default form.


1ST

PRO

TOTP

YE

The prototype is built on the idea of the components expressing one’s personal space, and how it does not extend equally in all directions. The design is to distribute these identical components onto the human body to form a suit, that indicates the boundaries of personal space, as seen in the digital model constructed in Rhinoceros 5.

These identical components would form the bones, while a layer of fabric would act as the sin of the whole system, thus tying in nicely the brief.

This suit of personal space would also able to respond or react when coming in contact with objects or other people, with the reactions as described earlier.


DIGITISATION

As much as this prototype captured the mechanics apparent in the umbrella, and negoti-ated the volume in personal space, it did have its flaws and imperfections.


The cardboard material it was constructed out of was not wear resistant enough as it tend-ed to deform once it was overused. The overall structure was too stiff, and required more flexibility.

A solution to this was to try out stronger, more elastic and more visually appealing materials, without compromising the prototype’s small mass, weight and volume.

DES

IGN

REV

IEW

Module 1: Ideation


Module 2: Design


Autodesk’s 123D Catch and Rhinoceros 5 were utilised to construct renderings of the human body in attempt to visualise one’s personal space, and create a suitable second skin.

This was a great method to get an accurate mesh of the human body, which allowed us to panel our individual components onto the body, and informed us of the amount of compo-nents needed and the estimated scale of our second skin.

123D

CA

TCH


Experiments regarding mapping one’s personal boudaries were carried out to negotiate the personal space surrounding an individual. This was done usirng various methods ranging from coming in contact with people - friends and strangers both, to coming in contact with unknown objects while blindfolded.

The individual’s responses in alll situations using different methods were recorded and mapped onto diagrams of the body. The final results were averaged and drawn up into the figure on the right.

The numbers on different areas of the body indicate the level of sensitiv-ity of that specific area, with 0 being the least sensitive, and 10 being the most sensitive.

MAPPING


With the aid of the map of sensitive areas of the body. The individual components were able to be distributed accordingly onto the human body mesh.This provided an estimate of how many individual components needed to be fabricated and the appropriate size needed for every component. It was decided to form 2nd skin around the upper body as the sensitivity of the lower body and legs were negligible.

DIG

ITIS

ATI

ON

The idea on how it works is that the components would produce a mechanical reaction (protrude outwards) when the sensitive areas are stimulated, and would create a different and less noticable reaction when the less sensitive areas are stimulated.


The precedent study of the meccano set was highly intriguing as it was a model construction kit consisting of perforated metal strips, plates and girders, with wheels, pulleys, gears, shaft collars and axles for mechanisms and motion, and nuts and bolts to connect the pieces.

Learning from the meccano set was a good way to add interchangability and flexibility into my individual component design. By introducing perforations into the parts, the pivot point would be easily manipulated to produce different sizes of reactions when pushed.

PRECEDENT STUDYSource: Google Images 2013

In search of better quality materials for the fabrication of the individual components, past-board was used instead of cardboard.

Two layers of pasteboard were glued together as a single layer would not be strong enough, to create this 2nd prototype. The arms and the columns that made the pivot point were cut out to be of the same width, but different length. Taking after the meccano set, the arms were peforated to experiment with different pivot points. A piece of tissure paper was used to simulate the overlying fabric to be added on later in the design.


2ND

PRO

TOTY

PE

Module 1: Ideation


Module 3: Fabrication


FABR

ICA

TIO

N

Because it was not feasible to manufacture every single component by hand, a different method was sought after. After digitising every part of the components in Rhino 5, the university’s FabLab was utilised to produce laser cut pieces of 2.8mm plywood.

With the convenience of the laser cutter, the components were able to be produced faster and even more efficiently.

The use of this material was beneficial as it was sturdy enough compared to the previous materials used, and would provide our design with more resistance to wear and tear.

Measured drawings by Kevin Adithya


This round of manufactured components were the 3rd and final prototype.

FABRICATION


FABR

ICA

TIO

N


Recalling what Kieran Stewart said in Week 8’s lecture, was that there was alwasys going to be mistakes that need improvement over the design and fabrication process.

How true this was as we changed our design multiple times in attempt to make it better.

The first change made to the design was the addition of foot structures and mini skewer sticks to provide an extra pivot point for the column structures in the components.

This allowed the column structure to rotate along an axis and gave the overall component more flexibility.

DESIGN REFINING


Another modification to the design was the switch to curved edges for smoother rotation and less friction wherever appliable.

As the components were to be placed on the body, it would not have grav-ity to return it to its default position after it is pushed. Hence, rubberbadnds were added, tying the arm structure to the column structure. This created a member that would be in tension when the component is pushed, which would return the component to its default setting.

DES

IGN

REF

ININ

G


ASSEMBLY

1

2

3

4

Exploded Diagram


ASS

EMBL

Y

5

7

6

8

9 Completed Component


CONSTRUCTION

The completed 16 components were stitched onto a shrit - 8 on the front, 8 on the back, with another layer of cloth drapped over it, and stitched at selected ends for better visual effects.


REA

CTI

ON

S

According to the map of sensitive areas on the body, two different component reactions were created, one for the front or the body - which is more sensitive, and one for the back - which is less sensitive. This was done by adjusting the pivot point held together by a pin.

Front Body Reaction: The pivot point with this reaction is placed on the 3rd perforated hole. This allows the end of the arm to rise up and create a large reaction when the mid-joint is pushed downwards.

Back Body Reaction: The pivot point with this reaction is moved down to the 6th perforated hole. This allows the end of the arm to collapse and create a less noticable reaction when the mid-joint is pushed downwards.


LED lightbulbs were finally added to the individual components to make the sensitive sites more obvious and visually appealing.

LED LIGHTS


FIN

AL

PRO

DU

CT


FINAL PRODUCT


FIN

AL

PRO

DU

CT

Module 1: Ideation


Module 4: Reflection


The process - from ideation, to design, and to fabrication was an excit-ing, yet an equally challenging one. There were times when the final out-come was eagerly awaited, and also times when the design argument seemed lacklustre and weak. However, working together in groups this semester was helpful in a sense that there were more hands on deck, not only to get the 2nd skin done, but also to generate more ideas, to further improve the design and solve any problems that arised.

The tutor’s guidance and criticism contributed a lot to the design, and may be one of the major influences in my 2nd skin design. I realised the importance of creating a strong argument for my design, that is to con-vince others of how my 2nd skin design applies to the brief. I also realised that once a good idea has been discovered, it should be continuously refined and developed into a solid design.

Looking back the previous prototypes and presentation documents, one of the key messages I picked up was that you should never stop trying to improve your design, because it will never be perfect. On that note, there is no such thing as a perfect design, you just have to stop when you think it is complete.

DES

IGN

PRO

CES

S


Another issue to reflect on is the importance of one’s method of de-sign presentation. From photography, to presentation layout, to digital modelling, to explaining your idea on the spot, these are key skills an individual should have if they want the audience to have a good and clear impression of their design.

I realised that even if you had a brilliant idea, but could not communi-cate it effectively to your audience, your efforts would be futile. Express-ing your ideas in understandable methods are as important as coming up with a great design. These presentation skills are aspects that I wish to continue improving on, even until I step out into the world as an ar-chitect.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed Virtual Environments this semester, even though there were times when I questioned my motives in enrolling for it, it was all worth it in the end. I now have a deeper understanding about ideation, design, and fabrication, and will look to apply whenever appli-cable to achieve better results. A final word to the subject coordinators, my tutor, and group mates. It has been a tough semester, but I’d like to congratulate all of you on a job well done. Thank you.

PRESENTATION

Sommer, R. (1969). Personal space : the behavioral basis of design / Robert Sommer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, c1969.

Sommer, R. (1969). Personal space : the behavioral basis of design / Robert Sommer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, c1969.

Bibliography + Credits

Sommer, R 1969, Personal space : The Behavioral Basis of Design. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall.

Google Images 2013.

Christian Ong 629928 Virtual Environments 2013 | Semester 2

module four: reflection

Documents