Final Project Prompt: Metamorphosis, Part 1

Final Project: Metamorphosis Research

Summary

Select a synthetic, industrially produced, or hand made object that has meaning to you. It can be anything, but you must select carefully, as your final project will be based on it.  Past students have used everything from toasters to violins successfully. You have a week to diagram the basic characteristics of your object with two dimensional black and white figure ground diagrams. Look at the systems that comprise your object, and break them down into their component parts. You compositions must explain the most important aesthetic and functional  aspects of your object.

Objective

Students will apply the formal design principals learned this semester to the creation of four 2 dimensional compositions. Students will demonstrate  understanding of these principals through the critical analysis and abstraction of a 3 dimensional object into it’s constituent functional and aesthetic components. The student will then translate this analysis into a composition that clearly communicates the nature of the fundamental aesthetic and functional components as they relate to the object’s meaning and use.

To Do

  • Select your Object
    • Your object should be human made, be something you are curious about and have in your possession, it should be easy to research.
  • Research it: history, function, form, and mechanics and impact on society and culture. 
    • Watch the library video on how to research
  • Using images,  create a graphic presentation that expresses what you learned about your object through your research. Gather pictures, make a timeline, find and create images that help you define ideas
  • Draw the plans, the elevations and the section of your object;
  • Diagram your object
    • Create four (4) two dimensional compositions.
    • Each composition will illustrate a different aspect of a handmade or industrially produced object of interest to you.

Suggested Diagrams - Others may be more appropriate for your object, verify with your instructor:

1.    Organization: How is the object organized? Linear? Radial? Axial? Etc…

2.    Balance: How is balance achieved between the parts ? Is it?

3.    Interdependence / linking: How do the parts of the object relate or join to create a functional whole?

4.    Scale and or Proportion: What is the scalar relationship of the parts of the object to the whole, and/or the relationship of the object to its environment or use.

These diagrams will be used as part of your final presentation.

Reading

Ching, Chapter 6, Proportion and Scale; Chapter 7 - Principals

Drawings: Pencil or Ink on Vellum or Mylar.

Presentation: High quality images compiled into one "poster". You will use Miro Links to an external site. to organize this.