Unity: Final

This assignment focused on creating a unified design out of 12 planes (4x6 cards of Bristol board) and 12 rods (10" bamboo skewers). I achieved unity by the repetition of the three planes with square in the middle, and the same number of rods at each corner, which were meant to not only hold the structure up, but to also point the viewer's eye inward toward the focus of the squares of negative space.







elevation


plan


graphic


gesture


contour

Compare and Contrast: Unity

My Design


Other Person's Design


I am comparing my project to one I feel is quite similar to mine. I feel that both attempt to achieve unity through the rods, or skewers, being upright and the planes, or paper, being horizontal. In the other designer's project, he pierced all planes with all rods, with all planes being one on top of another with some space between them. Mine, however, created square-like forms from 4 planes pasted together, with 3 rods piercing each intersection of two planes. I did this in a diagonal fashion, in an attempt to bring the viewer's eye to the central squares of negative space. The other piece has the rods piercing the planes in a line, with one at the middle forefront for support and perhaps interest.
The other project I feel was better crafted than mine. Though I put a considerable amount of effort into my product, I could not get it to stand properly. The other, however, seemed more sturdy. It was easier for me to get my layers evenly spaced, though, partially because I only had three layers to deal with.
Both products, I feel, created something that was greater than twelve simple rods and twelve simple planes. Both achieved a feeling of overall unity and visual interest. Both had steady, staccato rhythms, which drew the eye from one rod or plane to another. Our most unifying elements were repetition. Mine I feel was more successful in this regard, since I repeated the line-up of three rods per intersection of two planes, three larger planes made up of four planes from the kit of parts, and the squares of negative space not only in the middle of the larger planes but also created at each of the four corners.

UNITY: Another Iteration

This is getting better!

Unity in 12 skewers and 12 4x6 pieces of bristol board

This project is really interesting to me. I really am struggling, however, to create something that is really truly unified while at the same time creating a place. I really want to play with negative space and light, however, not being able to cut the paper necessarily or use any other materials (other than rubber cement or the likes as a bonding agent) seems not to be allowing me many options. I keep telling myself "But of course there are other options!" and then responding to myself, "But where are they?!" And then suddenly it becomes clear: I need sleep. But maybe not...



I formed a square shape in the center of the glued-together pieces of bristol board. I felt that this was unifying and was beginning to play with space and light. I also overlapped the paper in a specific way, creating a pattern to enhance unity.



I really like the thought of making this curve. Circles are sort of a symbol for unity, but I didn't necessarily want to go and make a circle out of these materials. I think it would be interesting though to suggest the circle with the curved paper. Hopefully, I could do it to the point that the viewer's eye forms the circle even when the lines aren't there.



I purposely put all of the pointy sides of the skewers up. Once again, it is a unifying element. Also, the structure stands better when the flat sides are on the surface it is sitting on. However, I am having a difficult time not having the pointy ends appear prickly-- sticking out from the structure in a somewhat violent way.





The skewers kept trying to overlap and cross, especially the ones around the outside. I thought it was interesting, so for this iteration, I decided to to glue them crossed so that they were more intentionally- and interestingly- crossed. This is also more unifying, since the skewers actually come together. The V shape imitates the point of the skewers.