Inspiration
- For my marking tool i have taken inspiration from Ice caves and the way segments break off to form new pieces. Ice caves are often thousands of years old and show generations of ice levels just like the earth beneath us. I want to showcase similar elements in my tool design with different shades and layers of blue being visible when you look from different angles of the tool.
Research of Forms, Colours, Textures and Materials that resonate with me
Research - Artist
Shintaro Okamoto
Frozen In Ice
An exhibition produced by Shintaro Okamoto, a well known Japanese designer. Freezes unusual objects inside ice to showcase the true beauty of the object. I want to instill a similar motive throughout my work with my marking tool. Having multiple stacked internal layer accompanied by layers of translucency to create a 'frozen in time' experience is something i want to achieve within my final concept.
https://www.okamotostudionyc.com/shintaro
Refined Idea - I want to create a ornamentry pen that resembles an icicle, something that is hand held and has a positive user experience. I want the shape to be easy to hold for the user and show different light and colour levels when you look through the form at different angles.
Some initial forms i have been playing around with, i want something that can form well to the users hand.
Final Iterations
Project 2 : Design development, use of making technologies and design communication.
Following on from the last assignment i've chosen to further prototype this design. I believe this design has the potential for a wide variety of design opportunities and aligns with my initial inspiration and research around ice caves and Shintaro Okamoto work such as his frozen in time exhibitions
CAD MODELS
Since the last assignment i have slightly modified my pen into an ergonomic shape which allows for a better grip for the user. The slight indent sits just above your thumb making a more comfortable experience compared to a rigid edge which would make the pen less comfortable.
Ive prototyped a display case that i want to keep quite simple to allow the full focus on my pen. This shape resembles a rock which i plan to make a hole in the top for the pen to sit in. This aesthetic will look similar to 'sword in the stone' which also furthers the 'frozen in time' appeal that i am trying to recreate.
Prototyping
Ive printed a smaller half size prototype of my pen so that i can start to experiment with j750 prints in ice. These came out pretty well although i aim to get the ice as clear as possible to that the piece is able to be seen better in the ice, as if its frozen in time. Another reason for this prototype was to test the translucency of the J750 print and the internal colours. Which gave me good insight into what the final prototype will look like.
This is the final display case which fits the pen in the top of the form. The pen sits high above the rock and hides the ball point pen insert.
The overall form of the shape reflects a Icicle, with an initial glimpse the pen seems to be symmetrical although on further inspection it is unsymmetrical. This is due to the ergonomics i have integrated within the pen. Since the pen is so large and was designed as an ornament, the dip at the end of the pen is perfect for your thumb positioning and the natural shape of the human hand fits in nicely.
The functionality of the pen works well and the design accommodate the pens function.
