IntArc 32 Supplimental 1

Interior Architecture 32 Supplemental Information Presentation of a past project from Model Building 62

The following pages will show you what this class did using found objects to inspire their designs. All 24 project could not be included but here are some of them. This was a design project based on a “found object.” Where students wandered about the campus looking for anything that caught their eye. These items ranged from soda cans, popsicle sticks, a leaf, a piece of broken plastic, a rock, etc… These items were used as inspiration for the creation of a piece of furniture. To be more precise—a furniture system for an office space. Some students used their objects strictly as a catalyst to begin the creative process. Some students used their objects literally and created designs that mimicked what they found. Some students used their objects as textures and patterns in their designs.

So, how do you use a found object as a catalyst to the creative process? Look up “ the creative process ” on the web if you donʼt have an understanding of the phrase. There are generally speaking, 4 steps in the process.

1. Preparation 2. Incubation 3. Illumination 4. Implementation Using a found object as the catalyst happens in the first step “preparation.”

A found object must evoke a response in you. You can’t just pick up something when it does not cause a reaction. That would be the opposite of a catalytic process.

You don’t have to intellectually understand the reaction you get. You just have to recognize that there is a reaction.

So you have found an object. Maybe it reminds you of something in your past. Maybe you have a reaction to it’s texture. Now, you must analyze it. You must explore every avenue, every aspect of that object. Does it bend? Is it sharp? Does it have a scent? Does it have a sound?, etc… Let it “stew” for a while. Put it on your desk, off to the side (not in the middle of your desk where it takes all of your attention). Take out a piece of paper and sketch/doodle/draw WITH YOUR OBJECT IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND.

It is a process, so you’ll try many, many iterations—many sketches to finally realize the full impact of the found object.

These first two projects took nature as their inspiration. Leaves with their symmetry and the patterns of their capillaries offered really awesome source material fro these students.

While the students had free reign to create their furniture, they did have some structure. The space was predefined as was the ceiling lighting and windows. Their furniture had to be modular and reconfigurable. They had to accommodate a certain number of workstations and they had to consider the walking paths.

This design was inspired by an arrow head graphic on a crumpled flyer. The student took the shape and made a literal translation to a final product.

This project was based on a cardboard box. Notice the illustrations that include perspective, floor plan, concept drawing and a detail drawing. She did the whole process that includes drafting (using the 45 degree angle to project the design from top view to side view), concept development with notes and a plan view of her design in the room itself.

This project was based on a flower. That pattern allowed her to design to be reconfigured easily and effectively. Nature offers so much in the way of design efficiency.