Translation in Design: From Grasshopper to Lamp
The translation of a grasshopper's anatomy across mediums, dimensions, and levels of abstract comprenehsion
3 Month
Shipped
3D Modeling Design
Overview
This semester in our general design studio, we were tasked to follow the translation of a bug's anatomy and abstract it's movement, functions, and physical features through different mediums, scales, and dimensions. This project challenged us to think abstractly about existing systems and languages of data visualization in our natural world.
Research
I began this project by researching, collecting data, and finding inspiration from creative sources. I began by examining my bug itself: specifically the way it's form and physique support it's movement and environmental needs. I immediately noticed it's long skinny shape, patterns, and colors as well as it's huge legs and antennae. I read articles, research abstracts, and watched nature documentaries explaining the everyday habits and behaviors of this creature, then breaking them down into patterns.
I seeked Pinterest, Behance, and other creative sites for examples of movement, segments of time, and biological data visualized in an abstract system that clearly communicates information. Our task was to create diagrams that were to the furthest possible level of abstraction, forcing our brains to conceptualize and think outside of the box.
I was particularly inspired by the famous Sarah Wigglesworth's "Dinner Party" diagram, as well as excerpts from the "Dear Data" project, which both demonstrated the idea of movement and intangible information systematically organized into new codes and languages.
Questionstorm
After I had done proper research, I started to sketch. I took to Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to create rough iterations of ideas, then created keys that helped explain my new language. I asked myself questions like: "how can I convey a period through a chart?" "how does hierarchy and size come into play?" "without using color, how can I distinguish different categories?" I kept writing ideas in my sketchbook, and then playing with different concepts until things started to stick.
Iterate and Explore
Once I had the ball rolling, I started diagramming. I traced the anatomy of each bug in Rhino in perfect geometry, examining existing structures, patterns, and shapes that I could utilize in my charts. I then made each of these pieces into "components", then organized them to help relay the information I wanted to relay.
Define
After many rounds of iteration, I created a series of 10 diagrams representing the different functions of the Obscure Bird Grasshopper. I defined my language for each chart, with the codes ranging from frequency, direction, and value of the illustrated lines.
Test
I took my 10 diagrams through multiple rounds of peer, professor, and self-given critiques. After many iterations, I readjusted the increments and levels between stats in my diagrams to make demonstrated progressions more clear as well as edited my lineweights to be more distinct.
Execute
After thorough testing and feedback sessions, I completed my diagrams and was prepared to move into the coming phases of translation. The next phase was to convert these 2D diagrams into 3D paper models. Below are my final iterations of the 360-degree eye and the propelling movement of the grasshopper. The following step is to convert these paper models into lamp sculptures, playing with light and diffusion through these geometries!
Throughout this project, I strengthened my skills in systems thinking, conceptualization, and abstraction. I look forward to the coming phases and analyzing the progress between each phase.
Question about my work?
Olivia Bruhmuller
Oliviabruhmuller@gmail.com
Translation in Design: From Grasshopper to Lamp
The translation of a grasshopper's anatomy across mediums, dimensions, and levels of abstract comprenehsion
3 Month
Shipped
3D Modeling Design
Overview
This semester in our general design studio, we were tasked to follow the translation of a bug's anatomy and abstract it's movement, functions, and physical features through different mediums, scales, and dimensions. This project challenged us to think abstractly about existing systems and languages of data visualization in our natural world.
Research
I began this project by researching, collecting data, and finding inspiration from creative sources. I began by examining my bug itself: specifically the way it's form and physique support it's movement and environmental needs. I immediately noticed it's long skinny shape, patterns, and colors as well as it's huge legs and antennae. I read articles, research abstracts, and watched nature documentaries explaining the everyday habits and behaviors of this creature, then breaking them down into patterns.
I seeked Pinterest, Behance, and other creative sites for examples of movement, segments of time, and biological data visualized in an abstract system that clearly communicates information. Our task was to create diagrams that were to the furthest possible level of abstraction, forcing our brains to conceptualize and think outside of the box.
I was particularly inspired by the famous Sarah Wigglesworth's "Dinner Party" diagram, as well as excerpts from the "Dear Data" project, which both demonstrated the idea of movement and intangible information systematically organized into new codes and languages.
Questionstorm
After I had done proper research, I started to sketch. I took to Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to create rough iterations of ideas, then created keys that helped explain my new language. I asked myself questions like: "how can I convey a period through a chart?" "how does hierarchy and size come into play?" "without using color, how can I distinguish different categories?" I kept writing ideas in my sketchbook, and then playing with different concepts until things started to stick.
Iterate and Explore
Once I had the ball rolling, I started diagramming. I traced the anatomy of each bug in Rhino in perfect geometry, examining existing structures, patterns, and shapes that I could utilize in my charts. I then made each of these pieces into "components", then organized them to help relay the information I wanted to relay.
Define
After many rounds of iteration, I created a series of 10 diagrams representing the different functions of the Obscure Bird Grasshopper. I defined my language for each chart, with the codes ranging from frequency, direction, and value of the illustrated lines.
Test
I took my 10 diagrams through multiple rounds of peer, professor, and self-given critiques. After many iterations, I readjusted the increments and levels between stats in my diagrams to make demonstrated progressions more clear as well as edited my lineweights to be more distinct.
Execute
After thorough testing and feedback sessions, I completed my diagrams and was prepared to move into the coming phases of translation. The next phase was to convert these 2D diagrams into 3D paper models. Below are my final iterations of the 360-degree eye and the propelling movement of the grasshopper. The following step is to convert these paper models into lamp sculptures, playing with light and diffusion through these geometries!
Throughout this project, I strengthened my skills in systems thinking, conceptualization, and abstraction. I look forward to the coming phases and analyzing the progress between each phase.
Question about my work?
Olivia Bruhmuller
Oliviabruhmuller@gmail.com
Translation in Design: From Grasshopper to Lamp
The translation of a grasshopper's anatomy across mediums, dimensions, and levels of abstract comprenehsion
3 Month
Shipped
3D Modeling Design
Overview
This semester in our general design studio, we were tasked to follow the translation of a bug's anatomy and abstract it's movement, functions, and physical features through different mediums, scales, and dimensions. This project challenged us to think abstractly about existing systems and languages of data visualization in our natural world.
Research
I began this project by researching, collecting data, and finding inspiration from creative sources. I began by examining my bug itself: specifically the way it's form and physique support it's movement and environmental needs. I immediately noticed it's long skinny shape, patterns, and colors as well as it's huge legs and antennae. I read articles, research abstracts, and watched nature documentaries explaining the everyday habits and behaviors of this creature, then breaking them down into patterns.
I seeked Pinterest, Behance, and other creative sites for examples of movement, segments of time, and biological data visualized in an abstract system that clearly communicates information. Our task was to create diagrams that were to the furthest possible level of abstraction, forcing our brains to conceptualize and think outside of the box.
I was particularly inspired by the famous Sarah Wigglesworth's "Dinner Party" diagram, as well as excerpts from the "Dear Data" project, which both demonstrated the idea of movement and intangible information systematically organized into new codes and languages.
Questionstorm
After I had done proper research, I started to sketch. I took to Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to create rough iterations of ideas, then created keys that helped explain my new language. I asked myself questions like: "how can I convey a period through a chart?" "how does hierarchy and size come into play?" "without using color, how can I distinguish different categories?" I kept writing ideas in my sketchbook, and then playing with different concepts until things started to stick.
Iterate and Explore
Once I had the ball rolling, I started diagramming. I traced the anatomy of each bug in Rhino in perfect geometry, examining existing structures, patterns, and shapes that I could utilize in my charts. I then made each of these pieces into "components", then organized them to help relay the information I wanted to relay.
Define
After many rounds of iteration, I created a series of 10 diagrams representing the different functions of the Obscure Bird Grasshopper. I defined my language for each chart, with the codes ranging from frequency, direction, and value of the illustrated lines.
Test
I took my 10 diagrams through multiple rounds of peer, professor, and self-given critiques. After many iterations, I readjusted the increments and levels between stats in my diagrams to make demonstrated progressions more clear as well as edited my lineweights to be more distinct.
Execute
After thorough testing and feedback sessions, I completed my diagrams and was prepared to move into the coming phases of translation. The next phase was to convert these 2D diagrams into 3D paper models. Below are my final iterations of the 360-degree eye and the propelling movement of the grasshopper. The following step is to convert these paper models into lamp sculptures, playing with light and diffusion through these geometries!
Throughout this project, I strengthened my skills in systems thinking, conceptualization, and abstraction. I look forward to the coming phases and analyzing the progress between each phase.
Question about my work?
Olivia Bruhmuller
Oliviabruhmuller@gmail.com