Evaluation Monumental Forms - 3D

For this project we had to research and explore different materials and processes. We were asked to research the theme architecture, both contemporary and classical and produce mood boards. These could then be developed to create designs for the 3D workshops.

I researched contempary and classical architecture for my first two mood boards and looked at the two contempary architects Zaha Hadid and Norman Foster. I did this so that I had a few ideas for both the jewellery and wood workshops and was able to consider what I wanted to do for my final piece after looking at all the processes. Then I researched two jewellers, Marianne Anderson and An Alleweireldt and did a mood board and two A3 pages on them. I also did research for a presentation on a architect that I liked (Steven Holl) and I did a mood board on that architect. I did do a mood board for the jewellery workshop looking at close ups of buildings that I could use to put together for my final piece. I have done a observational drawing of my street to show architecture from where I live.

I developed my research by making designs to use for the workshops and recognising what processes I should use for each piece. I found information about architects and jewellers to develope my research and found information about the types of architecture and jewellery. I explained each process I learnt in the workshops on my blog and explained why I did each piece of work with the health and safety.

I used many new materials within the workshops such as MDF wood, brass(plates) and copper(plates) this was rather fun because I got to use something completely different to what I would normally experiment with. I also used many techniques in the workshops in jewellery I learnt how to use the processes etching, embossing, piercing out and soldering and in the wood workshop I learnt how to stick wood together more securely, drill the wood properly and make the products finished. Outside of the workshop I used techniques to produce my research sheets, these techniques were drawing in perspective, working into painted critical studies and learning ways to make a interesting background that I could work on.

My final outcomes of the project were the pieces that I made in both the jewellery and wood workshops one is made from metal (brass and copper) and the other from wood (MDF). Both pieces were influenced by architecture however one focused on the formation of buildings and the other on the patterns and decor.  For the wooden piece I made, the formation of the building is what I focused on so it was more about what the building looked like on the outside and what form it would take on once it was finished. But the jewellery piece I made was more about the features of the building, for example a pattern that you can see in the formation, pillars on the structure or a close up of a bridge.

For final outcome in the wood workshop I used drills and saws to piece together my creation  there were not any names for the techniques in the wood workshop but there were a few shown to us on how to stick the wood together properly and how to give the wood a nice finish. For my final outcome in the jewellery workshop I used quite a few techniques. The techniques I used were etching where you paint a design onto a metal plate and put it in acid, embossing where you heat a metal plate and press a design into it, piercing out where you cut out a design from the metal and soldering where you solder pieces of metal together. When using all of these techniques and the machines/tools we had to be aware of the health and safety in case of hazardous situations or accidents. We mainly had to know what to do in case of a fire or accident, know how to use all the equipment safely and know what protective equipment we had to wear. We also had to remove all jewellery we were wearing and tie our hair back as a precaution.

Final piece wood workshop

Design for final piece jewelry workshop

Start of final piece jewelry

My first strength in this project was my research and how I managed to present it creatively on my mood boards. I think the creativity of the research made the project more exciting and it helped inspire more ideas for the workshops. I was also able to manage my time quite well throughout the project so that I spent equal amounts of time on all the pieces of work I did.

My weakness in this project was the handling of materials but this was mostly because I hadn't used the processes in the workshop before. I also think I could have done more to make my final outcomes look more finished and refined. I might try to spend a bit more time in the workshop to perfect the techniques I have learnt and turn this weakness into a strength.

Altogether I think the final pieces for this project were great and I think all the research I produced was good and backed up all my designs and pieces that I produced. I particulary liked looking at architecture because it explored the 3D works both modern and classical. I rather enjoyed looking at how architechture has changed through the years.