Module 2Mengqi Yu

Student Number: 581992 Semester 1/ 2012 Group 8

Module 1 Abstract & Initial Refinement

From Module 1, I create chose the natural process of cloud formation. The final model was inspired from the vortex street clouds, where the Kármán vortex street theory was reflected by the design.

In Module 2, by further considering digitalizing as well as light effect of the lantern, I modified my idea again by enlarging the starting curve and simplifying the rest of the flow. This modification emphasized the fluid form of the lantern. In order to create a better light effect, I took out the vortices in the middle, as they may prevent the light passing though.

Models from Module 1:

Initial Refined Shape

Digitization & Initial Refinement - Contouring Method: using reference pictures

I took a picture of each top and right view of the model with scale 1:5. Then I inserted picture frames in Rhino 5 and drew the curves following the reference pictures and loft it.

However the model lofted is not exactly the same as the model made. I used extract/ socurve to the initial lofted model in order to show the cross sections. I lofted it again without either the front or back point (as it will not allow panelling). Finally, the refined model was made. I emphasized the fluid form of the model by setting the effect to mean style in curvature analysis.

Right

Top

Extract/ socurve

Initial Lofted model

Refined Model - curvature analysis : Mean

Initial Experimentation - Paneling Tool

Panel 2D Grid: Angel Box

Panel 2D Grid: Wave

Panel 3D Grid: Wedge

Panel 3D Grid: Pyramid 1

Panel 2D Grid: Tribasic

In the initial experimentation, I panelled the entire surface with both 2D and 3D panel grids in Rhino. By trying different panels, I gained the basic ideas of how to create my own panels.

Exploring Costum Panels

Right: Panel Custom 3D Variable.Pattern Method: ListDistribution Method: Gaussian Curvature

Above 3: Panel Custom 3D

Exploring Costum Panels- Panel Custom 3D

Exploring Costum Panels - Patterns

As the main element of cloud is water, I researched some patterns of water texture and clouds. I found out that water surfaces are basically either irregular polygons or ripples, while water droplets are circular. However, I am more interested in the irregular polygons. I tried to combine the soft cloud feelings and the irregular water texture together. Therefore, I considered adding curve lines in the panel.

Exploring Custom Panels

Panel Custom 3D

After analysing water textures and clouds’ patterns, I customized a new

panel in Rhino and apply it throughout the entire surface. The raised part is for

controlling the light.

Exploring Custom Panel

Panel Custom 3D, List, PointAttractorPattern: Triangle combined with curves. As the structure of water molecule is triangle, the main shape of the panel is based on triangle. The embossment parts bounded by curve create a soft feeling of the object, which symbolises the soft texture of the clouds.

Exploring Custom PanelBelow: Panel Custom 3D

Point Light

Top 2: Removing panels along the curve to create different light effect.

Precedents - Light and ShadowVanessa Alarie- Paper, Light and Shadow

The light used and shadow projected in the installation gave me an imposing feeling. I love the organic form made by paper. In my design, I intended to design relative organic panels to suit my fluid lantern shape.

Fractales Lamps

Argentinian Designers Stanziano + Batti have created a set of

textile lamps made with complex geometric shapes. They started

with the concept of folding technique, such as origami (a

traditional Japanese paper folding techniques). The paper

folding techniques interest me, I plan to do more research about

it and try it on real paper as experiments.

Left: The combinations of both dark and light fabrics create different light effect. In the real model making, we have the choice to choose black and white paper. I am thinking of a way to combine them with the light effect.

Precedents

On the FringeA Los Angeles installation by Layer pushed

paper to the limit

Layer is a design studio, who designed this paper installation. They firstly considered how to filter the light then sliced, folded and punched paper into modules in myriad of shapes and sizes. Experimentation on light

and paper is very important for a design. National Library in Astana, Kazakhstan / BIG

I paid attention to the patterns used for panelling. Even though the structure of the building is a circular spiral shape, the single panel used is in a straight-lined geometric form. They created a few similar patterns to panel the curve. According to the precedents analysis, I intended to modify the curve lines in my panel to straight lines.

PrecedentsRyuji Nakamura’s Paper Works cornfield (Installation at the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, 2010): Different view, amazing structure and details

As the precedents above, the curly surface of the installation is constructed by straight lines as well. I particularly like the transitional density of the installation. This inspired me to use point attractors in rhino to change the distribution of panels.

Further Experimentation - TissueIn order to further develop my own panels, I did some experiments on tissue. The reason why that I chose tissue is that its colour and soft texture remind me of cloud.

Initially, I crumpled the tissue in order to create some pleats similar as clouds. By using the torch lighting through the tissue, I found out some interesting patterns and light effect. The high light in the middle emphasize the shapes, patterns and shadows of the tissue. Moreover, the gradient from white to grey to black is shown on the tissue. All these effect inspired me to think about that how to show the layers of light and create various projected shadows.

Experimentation on Material -Folding & Lightening

“One way to give a sheet of paper or a flat textile three dimensions is to fold it. Another way is to work at the edge, making fringe that flutters, wiggles, and curls,” ---Emily White

According to the videos demonstrated by Paul Jackson and produced by Laurence King Publishing. These are some basic folding techniques, which helps me be familiar with the texture of paper and its light effects.

Basic Concepts: Dividing the Paper

Folding Techniques: Basic Pleats

V-Pleats

Spans and Parabolas: X-Form Spans

Crumpling

Prototyping

Above: By changing the light source direction of the object, there is a different light effect and shadow projected by the object. The light can be either diverged or converged. Moreover, by slicing the object, a beautiful free form shadow can be created.

Right: Removing triangular panels along

diagonal to create different light effect.

Left : Cutting the traditional Japanese Masu Box. Creating V shape light effect.

Left below 2: Experimenting with the custom panels created before. While cutting the panels on paper, I found out that the curve lines are hard to be cut accurately. Therefore, I decided to create some geometric panels with straight lines and panelling a fluid form by changing their sizes.

Final Refinement - Patterns

Cutting Parts

Square Base

Dividing PointsCurve: Lines are similar to curve when divided into more parts

Triangle components

Pattern in Rhino

I kept using the idea of water texture and refined the curve lines in the pattern. The cutting parts are for lighe ts to go through and projected various shadows. Morevoer, by usin the “offset faces borders” command, the triangular surfaces can be hollowed out in various ways.

Prototyping

At this stage, I did another prototype for my final decision. I used both black and white paper to set the photostage in order to emphasize both the testing patterns, light effects and its projected shadows.

Above: initial patterns Above: initial light effect

Left: By hollowing out the triangular surface, I created various light and shadow effects. This is for testing using the command of “offset face borders” in Rhino.

Final Refinement - Orthographic & Perspective Views

Front top left

right

bottom

perspective

Final Refinement

Surface Domain VariablePanel 3D grid (Partition) + Panel Custom 3D+

Offset Faces Border

Inspired from the precendent of Ryuji Nakamura’s Paper Works, I planed to apply dense panels on both head and tail areas. Relative sparse panels will be applied in the middle part of lantern. Tail

Head

Final Refinement - Lightening

Lightenin Effect: Using Point lights and black background

Reflection In Module 2, we start digitalizing our model using Rhino 5.0. It is a very challenging part. The final model effect can be visualized in a 3D view through the software. However, there are many limitations in the process of digitalization. Initially, we have to choose a right contouring method and constructed clear and logical curves as the outlines of the model. This part is very important; otherwise we cannot loft the model or encounter some problems like intersecting surfaces.

The paneling process is very exciting. Even some basic patterns can be paneled to an amazing effect. I used the 3D panel grid in Rhino as fundamental patterns to digitize my model, as they are simple patterns, which are easier for the future model making. Then, I explored various custom panels to find out the most suitable patterns for my model. According to the chosen natural process of cloud formation, I did some relevant research about cloud shapes and water texture (as clouds are mainly formed by water). Primarily, most patterns I created have curve lines. Some patterns designed are very complex. However, paneling those complex patterns may achieve disappointed results. Therefore, I kept going back to the basic patterns and moving forward to redevelop my patterns.

By further considering the materiality of using paper, I modified my patterns by dividing the curly shapes into basic triangle. A similar curly edge can be made by combining different sizes of triangles. Triangles are easier to be fold and cut. In order to get familiar with paper and do prototyping, I tried some folding technique from online tutorials and testing different light effect by cutting, slicing and crumpling paper. After experimentation, I went back to Rhino to refine my model in order to create the patterns and light effects that I want. The command of “offset face borders” is very interesting; it can not only change the variety of panels but also the light effect. I used this command to along a curly line on the edge of model to emphasize its fluid form. Overall, my final model basically followed my desired design outcome. However, it still needs to be further explored in future development.