Bandsaw Circle Cutting Jig

I think I am going to be using something similar to this to cut circle on the bandsaw.

The Nature and Aesthetics of Design

David Pye’s article discussed the limitations in creating designs, as well as the purpose for design. First, production is hindered by two factors: economy and materials. We make objects to fit budgets or to cater to a certain income level.Materials also dictate construction & aesthetics. A metal may be strong and supportive but lack warmth and personality. Wood, although warm and inviting, may not be the strongest building option. In this way, a designer must make decisions about what qualities are most important for his creation. 

Design is meant to promote happiness. It creates comfortable, livable surroundings. It not only gives a man what he needs to survive, but conveys beauty. “The only way design can add happiness is by beautifying the environment and constantly enriching its visual quality,” the article said. 

I definitely agree that design is hindered by money and materials. I sometimes cheap out and sacrifice my design for my wallet. In addition, I thought it was interesting the author pointed out how flat surfaces are not found in nature. 

What struck me the most about this article though was its justification of the artist’s job. I have often wondered if I should be concerned with a more self-sacrificing, practical profession. In a chaotic world of suffering, it seems unnecessary to be fixated on beautifying our surroundings. However, Pye states that art has great importance. It makes life worth living. It provides hope to the masses. The artist’s talent for creating beauty should therefor be shared confidently with others. This section was very comforting to me, and made me feel like my work is worthwhile. 

Google Nose

I was looking up some inspiration and ideas for my vessel came up when this showed up on my screen. 

Google Nose. Just type in a search and Google gives the smell for it.

I thought it was funny that Google's April Fools joke was so close to my project idea. Weird!

Project #3: Constructing a Vessel

For the third project in BDS this semester, students will create containers to hold objects that are important to them or hold a memory. I chose to create a vessel for an old perfume roller. I thought the link between smells and memory was interesting, and I liked the conceptual aspect of this design, the idea of holding memories in a container. Here is my statement of purpose for the vessel:

Smell is closely related to memory. A scent can bring back ideas of people and events. My box is designed to hold a perfume roller. As the leaky bottle spreads the scent throughout, the box will become a memory holder as well. The design will reflect the motions associated with perfume (rolling it on, rubbing wrists together) as well as the soft, light nature of perfume.

An interesting article on the brain, smells & memory here.

Finished Duality Chair

The second part of the project asked students to make a chair inspired by a relationship with someone else. After much redesigning, I like how my chair turned out. At some point I just had to stop making new designs and be content with what I was making. If I were to do it again, I might try making cut outs on the side of the chair.

Lovely Chairs

I've been stuck on the same sort of shapes and ideas for my chair, so I decided to start looking at the forms and lines of other designs. Here are a few pieces that stood out to me.

Chairs as Typeface

I saw this poster by Tim Fishlock that uses chairs as a font. Kind of an interesting 2-D take on a 3-D object.

Here is the website article.