Blog5 - Draft and Mock-up

Experience

This week, my focus was on designing the appearance and performance of installation art. I created three different design sketches and ultimately chose a lighter design which combined paper and wire. This sculpture is both an installation and a projection screen. My idea was that when the viewer makes noise around the sculpture, it would generate different patterns based on the surrounding noise and project them onto the sculpture in real time. The purpose of this is to visually demonstrate the harmful effects of noise pollution on the human living environment and the marine ecosystem. In addition, I made a rough list of materials to purchase, including items such as aluminium or iron wire, tissue paper, tracing paper, hot glue gun, paper tape, white glue and brushes. I experimented with different materials to determine which paper would work best as a projection screen while still being durable. I made the initial prototype with a twisted stick.

Figure1

Draft of Interaction Installation

Figure2

Screen shot of Material list

Reflection in Action

My goal was to translate my conceptual design into a tangible prototype that would effectively communicate the impact of noise pollution. My initial intention was to test materials and make prototypes to bridge the gap between my idea and the real thing. However, I assumed that the materials I chose would be easily adaptable to my design. As it turned out, I found that some of the materials I chose, such as wire, were difficult to mould, while paper was too fragile and often tore during the assembly process. This experience was frustrating for me, as I had been working hard to realise my vision. I could tell that the materials did not have the effect I had hoped for, which made me reconsider my approach.

Figure 3. The process of Mock-up

Theory

This experience reinforced the importance of material selection and prototyping in the design process. It contributed to my expertise by emphasising the need to anticipate challenges when using specific materials and to test thoroughly before finalising a design. I recognised that it is vital to understand the physical properties of materials and their behaviour under different conditions. The durability and functionality of materials will be key considerations in future projects and this experience will be very applicable.

Preparation

Next time, I would invest more time in researching and testing materials before embarking on prototyping. I would also consider using other materials that are easier to work with or more flexible. To do better, I will approach the design process with a more flexible mindset, ready to adapt my ideas to the limitations and opportunities presented by the materials. Going forward, I will explore additional strategies, such as consulting with material science experts or experimenting with different construction techniques, to ensure that my designs are both feasible and effective.

Figure 4. Material test