Prototype #1 of an origami bird chandelier. I downloaded the joint part of the chandelier from Thingiverse and made several edits to play more with light and shadow. This is an incomplete work. I still have to edit the design especially on the silhouette print.

This week, I don’t have much update as it is a midterm week from me (boo.) I’ve spent most of my time researching on different variation of chandelier made by laser cutter. I particularly look into joints and connection of different pieces cut by the machine and explore different ways I could create my own. I still have a bird design in mind and I was to happy to find a picture of whale chandelier (picture below). I think is also one of the possible design direction I could do. I still like my idea of origami bird but I want to include the 3D perspectives into the design.

joints in chandeliers

Animal inspired chandelier.

different design available on the internet

Short-term action plan moving forward- daily/incremental plan: exploring joints and connection between pieces in my design.
Next stage (Long term action plan): Finalize the design! I want to move on the incorporating physical computing part. 

Research & Troubleshooting:

This week I’ve been working on the prototype of my Chandelier with illustrator so that I could have a printable file and picture how my end project looks like. From last week, I’ve finalized my bird design as an origami figure. I’ve been tinkering with the designs and different variation of birds’ origami motions. I searched in Pinterest for reference and designed 3 of the motions on illustrator.

Explorations/ testing/ Reflection

I printed out the design and thought that it would be nice to have some pieces as silhouette and some pieces with origami print. I printed the pieces out and explore different layout by tiding them all together with yarn. From here I want to experience with more ways I can create a pattern with the wooden pieces. Maybe I’ll tide them on 4 sides instead of 2 sides. Maybe I’ll use difference materials.

(thinking about creating more patterns with theses pieces)

My next stage:

1. Print out more of the pieces and experiment with patterns
2. Work on my code on arduino
3. Physical computing project: combine chandelier and arduino together!

Short term:

Try out different materials like cloth and clear acrylic for the structure of the chandelier.

 

Research & Troubleshooting:

Last week I looked into available resources online on arduino and mini speaker. I found a tutorial that it easy to implement with a thorough instruction on microcontroller connections and access to github on code. Apart from the speaker component of my chandelier, I want to make the music to activate with light sensor. I’m currently in the stage where I’m tinkering with code. I ordered some arduino parts (SD card adapter, mini SD card, and speaker)  from Amazon and hope to play with the hardware components once the part has arrived (hopefully by Monday).

Explorations/ testing/ Reflection

This week I made a draft of my design. Inspired by The Beatles song “Blackbird.” I want explore different materials that represent bird, freedom, and oppression. (Lyrics below).

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Black-bird fly

Black-bird fly, into the light of a dark black night

Black-bird fly

Black-bird fly, into the light of a dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise

you were only waiting for this moment to arise

you were only waiting for this moment to arise

During class, I’ve listened to the song in loop and listed out 5 words that stood out from the lyrics: 1) fly, 2) light, 3) broken wings, 4) waiting, 5) free. The word light can be easily represented by chandelier. “Fly” and “Free” can be portrayed through different actions and variation of bird. The picture below is my plan in term of atheistic and design. I thought of origami design of bird as it doesn’t look like a free bird. It gives me the feeling  that they are “waiting to be free”.

 

My next stage:

1. Create a prototype of the chandelier with illustrator and laser cut in on a cardboard.
2. Work on my code on arduino
3. Physical computing project: combine chandelier and arduino together!

Short term:

keep designing chandelier variation on illustrator. I also want to try out different materials like feather and construction paper for the structure of the chandelier.

 

 

Part I

Research:What are some areas you can research related to your project ideas? List some specific websites, books, resource platforms that can help you in this area. Posted below is a resource list for this class.

The Beatles Chandelier project: My main sources of inspiration are Pinterest, Apartment Therapy, and Instructable. I want to look into different designs and techniques in creating DIY Chandelier and think about how I could incorporate The Beatles lyrics or my interpretation of their songs to my design. I also want to learn more about art of lighting and explore different lighting techniques. The article below is pretty useful to me.

https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/improve-your-artwork-by-learning-to-see-light-and-shadow–cms-20282

The workshop today with Jie Qi inspired me to explore further with micro controller. I may want to include light or even music as a part of interactive feature to the chandelier. I’ll look into tutorial online about incorporating music on Arduino as I’ve never tried it before https://diyhacking.com/arduino-audio-player/

Below are some creative designs that inspired me

 

Explorations: What are some concrete things you can explore during work time in our next class, Monday, Oct. 2?

I think I want to start making prototype by exploring different materials like cardboard, paper, ropes. I also want to look into functions on micro controller like Arduino or Gogo board that can plays MP3 if possible.

What materials do you need now? What materials do you think you might need down the line?

Now: Arduino, cardboard, flashlight, paper, rope, cloth, wire

In the future: similar materials with my prototype but better quality, plywood

What tools do you need now? What tools do you think you might need down the line?Now: Arduino

Future: speaker, MP3 player shield that goes with the Arduino, laser cutter (I can use it at Snow Day Lab)