DSDN 141: EXPERIMENTING WITH MATERIALS
PROJECT ONE: REVEAL, THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF MATERIAL Due Date: Presentation
Wednesday 27th July 2011 - 25% of course
INTRODUCTION In project one you will investigate surface as an outward expression of material, as the visual and tactile interface between humankind and material. To do this you will have to engage the material’s properties. Implicit in the understanding of properties is the recognition that materials must be manipulated, modified and adapted to successfully fulfil a specific purpose. Here you will engage processes, initially in the form of tools and craft, as a means of exploring the expressive potential of material, learning how to work and shape it while developing sympathy for its properties and an understanding of how they can be best utilized and applied with intent.
DESIGN CHALLENGE Make 3 surfaces of approximately 150mm x 100mm that simultaneously engage and visually express or communicate the properties of one type of material of your choice: plastic (e.g. choose from acrylic, polypropylene, PE foam etc), glass, paper, metal (choose from aluminium, lead, steel etc), wood, clay, sand, vegetation, etc.). In making each surface the real design challenge is to intimately engage not only the physical aspects of your chosen material (consistency, density, colour, opacity, etc) and manifest them in the form of texture, finish, surface treatment etc., but also to engage the abstract elements of composition that you have encountered in other DSDN papers (rhythm, hierarchy, balance, orientation etc), combining both in a single powerful statement that is unmistakably evocative of your material but that is distinctive, at the same time, from the other two surfaces.
PROCEDURE Bring (or go out and find) a range of materials to the studio. You will proceed to engage with the surface of this material. You will crush, carve, hammer, bend, fold, cut, mix, saw, scrape, burn, reconstitute and abuse it, physically and chemically, in order to discover its potential as a expressive medium. During your studio session you are required to make three small experimental surfaces, each quite different from the other, but all equally expressive of the material. The results will be discussed with your tutor. Assignment to be presented at the next studio session; Make three further experimental panels that engage and clearly communicate the properties of your now selected material. Consider how you can most effectively present your surfaces. If this involves a second material find samples of that or other suitable materials. All six surfaces and your presentation proposal/material will be presented to your group. After discussion with your tutor you will continue to develop the three best panels and your presentation statement. You will continue this work outside of studio. Proceed to use photography to capture/realise surface intentions. (Photo room on level 1 ‐ ask tutor).
DSDN141 Project One.docx
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OBJECTIVES The objectives of this project are: Understanding the process of physically investigating, analysing and experimenting with materials to develop innovative surfaces that are in turn visually expressive of the materials used. Materiality in close up, to develop an appreciation of detail and finish. To understand the role of craft in this empirical process To represent and communicate materiality in 2 dimensions To understand the implications of a visual presentation
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Presentation: Start times: Section A 10:30am & Section B 2:30pm ‐ Room: studio Wig 101 The minimum submission requirements for Project One: 1. 3 mounted surfaces, approx 100 x 150mm each using the material you have selected 2. A mounted photographic (3 of) documentation that clearly demonstrates the surface properties of each of your surfaces (Additionally Post all 3 on your Flickr page under DSDN‐PJ1). 3. Post 3 images of your developmental experiments and process, each image should be a composition of drawings, photos and notes etc (Post on your Flickr page under DSDN 141‐PJ1 process).
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The Paper is internally assessed by assignment work in the form of four projects. They all contribute towards the final paper grade and are assessed and graded A+, A, A‐, B+, B, B‐, C+, C, D, E, (where C is a PASS) Project One
(3 Weeks: Due Wednesday 27th July ) 25%
In addition to the general criteria specified in the overall Course Outline DSDN 141 (see Assessment Criteria page 5) you will also be assessed on the following project specific criteria: 1. The visual and tactile quality of your presentation 2. Realisation of a design that is evocative (communicates the properties) of your chosen material 3. Photography (including process experiments) reveals evidence of a clear understanding of the relationship between surface and material REFERENCE MATERIAL To assist you with this project there are general readings on 3 day loan for DSDN141 (see the reference list in the Course Outline). Do not neglect to search other literature, the internet and your own sensory experiences including observations throughout the duration of this project. NOTE: when posting your work on Flickr please name and organise your work as instructed, if we cannot find your work we cannot grade it.
DSDN141 Project One.docx
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