Wavy Blinds

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Wavy Blinds Yan Li University of Auckland 2016

description

Digital Fabrication https://youtu.be/8HOCpo_DlGw

Transcript of Wavy Blinds

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WavyBlinds

Yan Li University of Auckland

2016

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Kneller stated that “one of the paradoxes of creating is that, in order to think originally, we must familiarise our-selves with the ideas of others...These ideas can then form a springboard from which the creator’s ideas can be launched” as cited in Lawson’s book How Design-

ers think (Lawson, 1990, p. 120). The project first got inspiration from the “Zero/Fold Screen” by Matsys design(http://matsysdesign.com/2010/02/28/zerofold-screen/). It was taken from a bottom up approach that started the design based on the size of a material. Thus reducing the material waste of the digital fabrication process, but at the same time still having a great visual effect of the curvy pattern. The initial idea was to create a stand alone screen using the similar method with my precedents. But after the very first prototype I re-alised if each plane was half fixed, it would allow more movement and be more dynamic. Maybe doing something which could adjust the angle would be more interesting than using the columns to fix the strips together. The final product was generated from a series of the prototype experiments. Rhino and grasshopper were used as a tool to get a variation of curves on a fixed plane, which was determined by the size of the existing material and laser cutter bed. The problems arose when using the script, making the laser cut file, and assembling the blinds. All the errors added up to give a better knowledge when doing the final product in terms of selection of the pattern and as-sembly techniques.

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Prototype 1The first prototype started from a 2D plane with a single curve drawn on Rhino. Each curve had varia-tion based on the previous one.

Laser CutAll the prototype strips were made with 25mm in width and 810mm in length to fit the laser cutter bed.The file was made with a set of holes to allow the string to go through.

AssemblySince all the strips were cut from one piece of white cardboard, they will turn to a solid surface when the blinds are closed. Light can filter through them-when they open to a certain degree.

ErrorsThe existing venetian blinds have three sets of string to hold and turn the strips. At the two ends the strips was made with a straight line to allow the control line to go through in the same position. But one thing that wasn’t considered was the middle string, the middle part of the string should have had the same width with the two ends. The image to the left shows the different width in the middle which does not fit the string.

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Prototype 2This prototype was exploring attractor points to generate a wave-like curve. The degree of the curve on this one was not very obvious compared with first prototype.

Laser CutHere are some holes created for the strings to go through.

AssemblyFrom this image, there are is a little bit of a 3D ef-fect in the model, but it’s too subtle.

ErrorsSame problem as previous one in which the middle of the strips was too wide to fit in the strings. Next time should make the

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Prototype 3This prototype was using attractor curve to gener-ate the 2D curves, and then applying another layer of pattern on top.

Laser CutThe holes were made a little bit different with the previous two. Allowing it to be slightly sloped, the string will not be stuck in the gap and affect the movement. But there were still consequences and the gap needed tape on it.

AssemblyThe pattern on the surface was not very obvious after assembly.

ErrorsThe gap was linked to the hole which used for take the middle string into the hole. Even though the gap was made to slope, and not perpendicular to the edge, the side string still sometimes stuck into the gap and affected the performace. Hence, for next time, I thought maybe cancelling the gap and find-ing a more straight forward way to put the middle line into the hole would be better.

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Prototype 4Model 4&5 were made in a 3D approach. I created a surface and adjusted the control points within a boundary. I then duplicated the surface, which cre-ated a screen like model. I used intersect to get the lines of each plates/strips.

Laser CutI took the edge line from intersect, and made all of that in a surface. I deleted every second line. This time only holes were created without the gap.

AssemblyThe property of the brown card board has more weight compared with the white cardboard. It is more solid and performed better.

ErrorsSeveral holes were located in the wrong position on one side. This was because when I copying one row of holes from one side to another, I did not consider the different degree of curve on the other side, since the curve this time was different from previous model.

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Prototype 5This model was a smaller version of previous one. Testing it on Balsa wood.

Laser CutDue to the size of the balsa wood strip, only five strips were made for this file.

AssemblyThe wood has a more nature appearance compared with the other cardboard.

ErrorsSince the Balsa wood is too light, it cannot straight-en the strings very well.

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Final ProductThe final surface was made with a grasshopper script. The computer can generate lots of options with multiple control variables. The one selected has the look of curtain/fabric. I thought this would be suitable for the blinds. Also due to previous experiment, a larger amount of curves will give a better effect.

Laser CutThe final venetian blinds template was different from the one used for prototype. It only had two sets of string at both ends without the middle set. It allows more focus on the movement of the strips without too much disruption. There is not much waste of material for all the experiments and the final product.

Wavy FeatureThe wavy blinds challenge the traditional blinds. By adding curvy features to the blinds, a more dymanic look is achieved.

Light Filteringlight filtering through the blinds and creating interesting shadows. Making things is important be-cause it will show the effect which cannot be seen through the computer.

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https://youtu.be/8HOCpo_DlGw

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According to Lawson “...use computer to generate ideas by making runs of the program and allowing the de-signer to select, combine and modify parts of these solutions”(Lawson, 1990, p.205). The software gives far more options than traditional methods. There are differ-

ent methods to approach the resulting effect. By controlling the pa-rameter, lots of option can be generated. The most important thing is to make critical decisions and selective choices. Lawson stated that “the computer...ignored all other complexities of the problem. The designer is therefore now faced with the task of modifying the com-puter solution to take account of all other requirements”(Lawson, 1990, p.210) .For example, taking into account the basic function of the venetian blinds, which is to open up the view, open part of the view and close the view. The chosen final form was considered through the look of the blinds in 3D view and the connection to the strings.

Biblography: Lawson, Bryan. (1990). How designers think. London: Butterworth Architecture.