3D Design Day Three

We started Day Three thinking about the shape and form of structures. Creating bridge-like designs in our sketchbooks we considered construction techniques and unconventional shapes. I found it difficult at first to think of innovative ways to manipulate the paper we were working with but eventually managed to create 4 models in my sketchbook using a variety of construction techniques. I plaited, bent, and folded the paper to create what I think are interesting forms. However, I did feel a bit uninspired for this part of the project and am unsure how original and inventive my work turned out:

For the afternoon we were then assigned groups of six and given a brief. We had to create a 12-foot bridge out of bamboo sticks and cardboard with these conditions: it could only touch the floor at two points, it had to be high enough for an upright table (or 'ship') to pass under it and it had to support and fit the dimensions of a toy car that would be driven over it to test our bridges. We had two hours to complete this project. It was also suggested to us that we use the bamboo sticks in some sort of structural capacity, as previous groups had all focused on them as supports and created the structures with cardboard. This led to our Group's original idea that we create track out of the bamboo sticks as our road, supported by cardboard pillars. However, due to the large number of bamboo sticks this required, we were unable to execute this idea. Instead we created bamboo tracks just for the start and end points and the road in the middle was made of cardboard. We also liked the idea of using intermittent tunnels on our bridge and ended up with triangular shaped coverings of varying widths. When creating the cardboard supports we made several boxes and slotted them together to create pillars, having made these the tutor suggested we should use them at an angle. This proved extremely difficult and compromised the strength and balance of our bridge. Furthermore, due to time constraints, we were only able to achieve this on one side of the bridge, so ended up with an asymmetrical design:

There were quite a few challenges faced when doing this project. The problem of design vs. practicality was a big one that presented itself further on, and due to time constraints in the end we had to make many compromises from our original ideas, going for simpler and easier solutions. Working as a team also presents its difficulties, particularly under time pressured conditions, though I felt out team worked well together and we finished in good time. 

I found this project interesting, having always enjoyed working with 3D materials but never being formally introduced to it as a subject. Missing a day did put me at a disadvantage, and I feel I may not have quite got an full idea of the subject and its principles. Nevertheless I liked the practical nature of the pathway, and the challenges it presented.