This project, broken into two parts, challenged us to create a product under one of the five themes provided, which required us to research, conceptualise, model and present a product that took inspiration from our chosen theme. 

For the first project, we were to create three concepts under two different themes to decide which theme we will take into the next project to develop the concepts further. 

The second and final project asks us to present a fully developed model and concept to the class under our single chosen theme. 

- The interior of the vault visually lacks warmth and a sense of life, is very functional and industrial, and is very sterile. Concrete is the primary material used in construction of this facility, as it is 100m within the mountain.

Here is some of my progress/development of my concept sketches. Other than the sketches I showed when we had a zoom check-in, this is the other two I've been working on. I have another two I am currently modelling and rendering, and may do a few more iterations of.

I'm really loving the idea of my designs to be very rounded and circular, organic, as opposed to something very sharp and geometric, with the theme of the seed vault in mind. To incorporate aspects of my second theme, Apollo 11, I may include materials in the rendering that showcase certain visual features of this.

This is the first sort of concept sketch I came up with. It's been a while since I last used Fusion, so this was sort of getting used to the works of the software again!

In the creation of this design, I wanted to play more with how form fitting i could make the model while still lying flat on the surface it is placed on. So, the form has taken inspiration from the LM Spacecraft, but I have made the form more soft so mimic the natural environment of space, such as the moon. 

Although it is clear where a seed or moondust would be put into the form, it isn't very functional at all, so my next task is to keep the functionality in mind.

In this concept sketch the main idea was to experiment with a different shape and different materials, that are a mix of organic and geometric - the contrast outlined in the Seed Vault theme. I experimented with colour as well, seeing how this could add to the functionality of the design, how it could alert the user as to how it functions. 

In this particular concept sketch, I wanted to toy with materials a bit more, and how this could look both elegant and still imply function - taking inspiration from aspects of the Apollo themes such as the moon, but adding those very functional qualities as well such as the use of metal on the inner layers to create security for what it may hold.

This design is also form fitting, so can be held comfortably by the user. Something to further develop however is considering how it sits upon a surface, as it is a rounded form.  

In this concept model, I focused on a ‘Sleek’ Design in reference to the Seed Vault Entrance, and how this could be worked into the functionality of the model. I incorporated contrast within the choice of materials to imply functionality, i.e. to pull out the face that is a different material to the rest of the form. I also factored in the form and how this would be held, so this model is form fitting to the hand and sits well on a surface when placed down. ​​​​​​​

This concept sketch is very much a mixture of all of the above, from the organic form to the implications of functionality. For example, I wanted to have contrasting material between the top and bottom half of the second layer, implying that the user would twist it off to access what is within. The colour and steel exterior hint to the Apollo 11 theme with the very function material that is meant to last through extreme environmental conditions. In contrast to this, we have a very organic form that is form fitting and can be easily handled by people. Within the functional exterior is a clear plastic that allows you to see through to the contents within, a capsule. 

In consideration of my previous sphere form, the bottom of this model is flat so that it is able to be set upon a surface and not roll around, but is still comfortable to hold in the hand. 

This model visually draws from aspects of the Apollo 11 Mission, of which includes the Astronaut helmet and the cylindrical form of the spacecraft. Combining these two together gives a mix of organic and geometric form, contrasting each other.

The design is form fitting, meant to be held by the user to be transported or stored. The key idea is protection for this design, from the natural elements and wear from handling.

For the second model, I have taken strong inspiration from the astronaut helmet, having a clear screen to see the moon dust that is held inside, as well as a protective casing that conceals the contents and blocks sunlight and particles from damaging the moon dust within.

The overall form allows comfortable handling within the hand, of all sizes, and the leather strips allow for grip to the surface it is placed upon.

This is a very technical product, of which is inspired by ventilation systems in the Seed Vault. It's purpose is to protect against outer elements such as moisture, containing and protecting the life of the seed. The outer layer is clear to enable visability for the user, to imply that the inner cylinder holds the seed.

This concept is very 'brutalist' where the purpose is to protect its contents. The form is much more geometric and harsh looking than previous models, built purely for long term protection and durability. The model is formed to be placed on a surface and be stable, where the curves create comfortability for being handled by the user. The metal materials are durable and protective, easily cleaned and very sleek to look at. 

For this model, it doesn't necessarily need to be used to just hold the original moondust, but can also be used for public education. By this I mean that it could be a product NASA uses to educate the public on the work they do and have done through a handheld software device. This could be for both children as a toy and as an education product for adults who are interested in Space Travel, or are wanting to explore space and its wonders.

In this project we have been given the task of designing the interior of two forms taken from the previous Project, still considering the visual language of our chosen theme.

My theme is the Apollo 11 Mission in 1969. The models I will take from the first project are one of my highly developed models and my final model.

In consideration of this Project, I may have to alter or remodel these in order for the interior to be accessible in a more creative way. During the first project, I considered the use of a button to access the interior, which would hold moondust, however I will need to think more outside of the box.

Since the first draft of this model, I have since added more refinements for the final output. I have reduced the size of the leather grip strips at the bottom part of the model, mostly for comfort of the user. Before they stuck out too much and could be more of a nuisance to the user holding it, rather than being functional. In addition to this, I have made the back of the model flat towards the top half. Before the model wasn't able to sit upon a surface without rolling around, now it is stable upon a flat surface and better protects the moondust held within. The last functional change I made was the placement of the buttons. In past iterations of this model, the buttons used to open and close the enclosure were to the right side. After some more thought into how the user would hold the model, I decided to move them further towards the centre so they can be easily pressed by the thumb while the user is holding it (without having to adjust their grip).

In terms of material, I made the body of the model more reflective to give a more sleek appearance, taking inspiration from the astronaut helmet that seems highly reflective. Also, the newly added flat back and finger placements have leather material, to match the grips on the lower part of the model, for added grip when holding it.

For this more refined model, I made a few changes from the previous version further back in development. Firstly, I rounded off the two points on either side of the dome at the top of the model. This made the model more cohesive and visually softer than previous versions. This also contributes to the safety of the user, as they won't hurt themselves with the sharp points! In addition to this, similar to the model above, I centered the buttons for easier use whereas before they were off to the right side, meaning the user would have to shift their grip to the model - an unnecessary movement that could be avoided in my opinion. In the same area, I included a raised platform under the buttons, more to add another 'clue' (for lack of a better word) as to the function of the buttons - that they're meant to be pushed. I also added grooves to the handle for extra grip and to add texture to the form/ 

With the start of this new project, I have had to delve further into my theme for visual inspiration for the interior of my model. I have been considering both the man made elements of this theme as well as the natural ones, as a way for the interior and exterior to contrast each other. 

In terms of manmade inspiration, I took to the spacecraft and the astronaut suit, as seen in the previous project. I wanted to portray a very minimal aesthetic, seek and sophisticated, while utilising similar ideas of functionality of the Apollo Mission, as seen below.

The materials associated with the Apollo mission are very sleek and functional - metals. They are used for the sole purpose of protection and durability for space travel. 

In reference to the more natural elements of the Apollo theme, I looked towards the form of the moon and the earth, then branching out to the natural form of the planets. I liked the idea of incorporating Saturn's rings but more geometrically. For example, having hexagon rings (inspired by LM Spacecraft) almost orbiting around where the seed would be held in the interior of the form. 

Alternatively, taking from the shape of the milky way, the interior of the form could be very organic in comparison to the exterior, such as the images below.

Transforming this into 3D forms, I took to pinterest for some visual inspiration - also keeping in mind the saturn ring idea, with the moondust held in the center. 

This is my final model! 

Still following under the Apollo 11 Mission theme, I took inspiration from the Spacesuit the astronauts wore on the mission - from the shapes, the structure and the stark white material. 

The dome shape is a very distinct visual aspect of the Apollo 11 Mission, found in the helmet of the astronaut suit and the natural forms in the Mission environment, such as the moon and the earth - I wanted to incorporate this into my design. I decided upon a more sleek and smooth material for the upper part of the model - to compliment the curve of the dome and reference the spacesuit helmet. The outer layer is a stark white and sleek. while the inner dome is plastic - similar to the highly strengthened polycarbonate used to construct the helmet of the spacesuit.

In addition to this, the form fitting handle of the model is a feature inspired by the arms and legs of the spacesuit, the grooves in the handle inspired by the folding of the material of the spacesuit. The material of the handle is a rougher material than the dome, functional in that the user can easily maintain their grip. The grooves on the handle are rougher than that of the rest of the handle, for additional grip.

Between the two parts of the model are the buttons which open the plastic part of the dome for the moondust to sit in - green indicating open and red indicating close. For this model I decided to take a different approach to the design of the buttons, making them flatter and larger to be more comfortable for the user - and suited to a variety of hand shapes. 

As a side use of this model, although it is specifically used to hold moondust from the Apollo 11 Mission, I imagined this could also be used as an education tool for the public. I thought that this could be a method of getting the public to engage with learning, and spreading the work that NASA does - in the form of a toy version of this model. 

In addition to the interior, we have been tasked with creating a brand logo for our models that will elevate and support our design direction. There are a few routes I could take with this, so I have noted a few references and inspiration. I have included the original NASA Logo, as well as the patch specific to the Apollo 11 Mission. Alongside this I found graphic design from the 60s to delve into the culture of the time period, as well as 'space icons' for more logo type inspiration.

Moving forward, I think I prefer the graphic circle that contains either an image or abstract references to Apollo/NASA.