Walking with Christopher Walken

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2008-07-30T12:09:00.002-04:00

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Da Vinci Accordion Project

2008-04-24T08:34:00.000-04:00

Industrial Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Design a wooden toy inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci.
2. Make a model of your toy.

Visual Reference Board:
Bellow Prototypes:
I found this site useful in coming up with my method for building the bellows.
Here are my first bellow prototypes. For these ones I used an x-acto to cut out the trapezoids from poster board and masking tape and fishing line to connect them together.I switch to a thicker chipboard for the final set of bellows:

Cutting fabric to cover the bellows:
Glueing the fabric on the bellows was the longest part of the process and was the most frustrating and sticky. I used a whole bottle of Elmer's glue so it ended up being really strong.

Here is a video showing the bellow action. I was kind of disappointed because the bellows ended up stretching less and less with each layer of fabric.

One bellow finished:
Chipboard mockup of body:
Two bellows done:
I cut a bunch of plywood to the profile of my keyboard and glued them together to make a mold:
Then I laminated 3 pieces of thin veneer together and stuck them in the the vacuum bag on top of my mold. I will use this to cut out my keys.
The wood for my keyboard didn't quite take the full contour of the mold so I had to adjusted the end piece of the keyboard casing to match the new key profile.
Here I've put together the keyboard and bass button casings and I have the bellows and unfinished keyboard resting in place. The edges of the casing are burnt because I cut out the wood on the laser cutter. On the keyboard I've masked off where I need to cut the wholes for the black keys. I've also got my unfinished sound ports resting on top.
I sanded off the burned edges and gave the casings a rich bombay mahogany stain. I finished it off with two coats of high gloss polyurithane.The white keys stay their natural color and only need 2 coats of high gloss polyurithane finish.
I modeled the sound ports out of a non-hardening wax-based modeling clay called plastaline. Then I spray painted them gold.
This photo depicts a cross section of the keyboard action. I used fabric for the hinge and red foam to spring the depressed keys back. The dark keys are stationary for this model.

Final Skateboard

2008-04-03T08:06:00.010-04:00

Manufacturing Processes Class Assignment:
1. Make a skateboard using techniques learned in class.
Show All Skateboard Making Posts Laser engraving the face veneer:

Using the vacuum bag to glue the face veneer to the deck:
Finished deck with gold leaf and a satin polyurethane finish:

The rest of the classes skate boards:

Design Thought Model Part II

2008-03-30T22:45:00.012-04:00

See all Design Thought Model Posts

I continued work on my design thought model this weekend. I ordered some thiner 1/16" acrylic sheets that seemed to work better than the 1/8" stuff I was using before. While I was working on this project I realized that I probably could have done the entire thing so much easier on the vacuform. Oh well, good thing to keep in mind for next time. Instead of using the vacuform I have been cutting the plexi into small rectangles, heating them to 325 in the oven, and forming them to the mold with my hands. After I cover the entire mold in overlapping rectangles, I use the bandsaw to cut off the areas that overlap. This takes a long time and there are a few gaps where the pieces come together. I decided to just incorporate the gaps into my design and instead of gluing the pieces of plexi directly together, they will be connected with laser cut plexi brackets that I will paint to look like aged brass. That should also help with the mechanical steampunk look I'm going for.

I've also changed my original design that used marbles to represent ideas to use Sour Balls instead because every one likes candy and I found them at the convenience store near my dorm. They Sour Balls roll very nicely down the little test track that I build and I like that they are bright colors. I'm going to have to remember to bring a few packs with me when I present this because I've already eated about half of them.

On a final note, I ordered my steam engine kit that will power the rotating disk the releases the Sour Balls. I got it off ebay for $23 from Liney Machine. It includes the plans and all the stock metal needed to machine it out. The engine is very tiny. I chose it because it was cheap and I wanted a kit that would allow me to learn to machine metal on the metal lathe and mill. I'm really excited and I cant wait to try to build it.

Cream & Sugar Set

2008-03-26T18:04:00.010-04:00

Industrial Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Design a pair of cream and sugar containers.
2. Maintain a "family" resemblance.
3. Base the design off an aesthetic influence.

Visual Reference Board: Art Deco

Design:
I experimented with building my form to reflect various art deco patterns. I eventually settle on a design that uses art deco style hoops to allow the cream to nest on top of the sugar bowl.

Construction:
I begin with a sold chunk of blue foam.I carve out 2 different models
I go with the second model because it has a slimmer foot print that would fit better on most tables. While building the second model I discovered that I could get smoother cuts with the band saw than the hot wire cutter so my second model also had better overall craft.I paint a thick coat of plaster, wait for it to dry, and sand for several hours.
I use the band saw to cut a shelf out of clear acrylic that mimics the design of my sugar set. I use a heating strip to bend it 90 degrees.I use the shelf to present my design during the class critique.
Final Prototype:

Mask

2008-03-25T07:47:00.001-04:00

Screen Sculpture

2008-03-25T07:43:00.001-04:00

Design Thought Model

2008-03-24T14:51:00.009-04:00

Concept:
The concept for the design thought model that I have to make for my design thinking class starts with a full scale model of my head, chest, and one arm made from clear acrylic. Inside the head where my brain would normally go will be a hopper full of marbles that represents ideas. A rotating disk powered by a steam engine will release the marbles at set intervals. The marbles will then roll down a twisting track where they will be processed, cleaned and filtered. The best marbles will eventually roll out of my hand and onto a piece of paper to form a design.

Style:
My style influences for this project are steampunk, nautilus, victorian, and clockwork. The materials will include acrylic, brass, velvet and dark stained wood.

Building:
I started by making plaster molds of my head, chest and arm.
I have my brother cover my skin in plaster infused bandages.
We make a big mess and eventually get kicked outside.After about 12 minuets I can take off the now solid bandages
I use more plater bandages to fit the front and the back of the head together. Then I poor plaster of paris in the hollow shell of my head to give it strength. I now have a solid 10lb plaster head which I can use to form the acrylic.
I put the acrylic sheet(plexiglass) in the oven at 300 degrees until I can easily bend it.I then wear sox over my hands and press it against my plaster head. Here are some of the test pieces I made. I painted two of them so I could experiment will how I was going to get an aged brass look for the inside supports.

The Ubnox-O-Phone!!!

2008-03-23T15:53:00.011-04:00

I made this primitive synthesizer/obnoxious noise maker for fun during my spring break. I first got the idea when I saw all the crazy diy noisemakers and synths at musicfromouterspace.com. I used their Weird Sound Generator schematic along with the Ruby Guitar Amp schematic from runoffgroove.com to build what I have named the Ubnox-O-Phone. This was my first electronics project. I ordered most of my parts from mouser.com for about $35. I started by using the runoffgroove schematic to put together this simple amp on a bread board.After I got the guitar amp making sounds, I finally had enough confidence to pull out the soldering iron and piece everything together.

For the case I decided to go with a rack mount kind of look. I also wanted to show off all my work so I used 1/8" clear acrylic and I left the sides open. I designed it in Illustrator and I used our school's laser cutter to cut out the front and back and all the holes for my knobs & stuff. I also used the laser cutter to engrave the name and control labels. I used a scifi looking font that turned out to be hard to read but still looked really cool.

It took me about 2 days to solder all the components together and then a few more hours to design and laser cut my faceplate. I was really happy with how it turned out. Here is a video that shows the noises it can make as well as some of the places I have taken it.

The Amp

2008-02-20T16:54:00.002-05:00

Laser Ants

2008-02-18T21:55:00.009-05:00

Laser Ants Version 2.

Gold Leaf Alternative

Linoleum Prints Part II

2008-02-18T15:35:00.007-05:00

I came up with a cool art deco pattern to cut into my second letter V.

I've done tons of prints on all different types of surfaces.
Wonderfully Wiggly

I have registration issues...

Beast Mode Purple

Skateboard Building

2008-02-18T14:41:00.002-05:00

In my Manufacturing Processes class we each get to make a skateboard deck!

We start with thin sheets of wood veneer.
Then we cut the veneer into 7 rectangles that are each a little bit larger than the final dimensions of our skateboard.
Next we stack 7 layers together with the grain going long ways for sheets 1, 2, 4, 6 & 7, and short ways for sheet 3 & 5.
Working quickly, we use a brayer to apply glue between each layer.The glued veneer is then placed on a waxed MDF mold that Glenwood made earlier with the CNC.The mold & veneer both go into a vacuum bag for about 4 hours.The rough skateboard comes out of the vacuum bag and is surprisingly strong!We stack them together to continue drying.
We cut out the deck with a router and drill holes for the trucks.Glenwood got us some nicer looking veneer for the graphics on the bottom.

These are the first round of ideas for the graphic on the bottom. I'm probably going to engrave the graphic with the laser cutter.

Setting Lead Type

2008-02-16T11:16:00.006-05:00

We have been setting type in Studio. The letters are all reversed so we set everything upside down from left to right. I'm making a quote by Arthur Schopenhauer that says "Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world" in size 48 Universal Bold Extended. I also used some big unlabeled wooden letters for the word "world." The quote has to do with vision which corresponds to the Vs I was printing with linoleum earlier.Type drawer
Big wooden letters Everyone in the class has their quote on the press.The type is held tightly in place.Our first print was bound to have a few mistakes.

Some Early Letter Prints

2008-02-12T09:18:00.002-05:00

Spray Painting The Tunnel

2008-02-12T08:55:00.002-05:00

Paul came down to state this weekend and we painted the free expression tunnel.

14 1/2 Songs in 29 Days

2008-02-07T22:21:00.006-05:00

I've begun work on my album for February and I've already got 3 songs finished. My goal is to get 14 complete songs (and one half song) done by the end of February and not worry about the quality. So far I've just been using my Axiom 25 and Ableton Live.

Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

Song 4

Song 5

Working With Linoleum

2008-02-07T21:51:00.003-05:00

In Martha's section of graphic design fundamentals we've begun carving letters out of linoleum squares to be used for printing. My letter is V (for very awesome).

Finished Product

2008-02-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Some Success for a Change

2008-01-31T20:57:00.001-05:00

Today we laser cut some pieces in preparation for tomorrow's work day. To our surprise every thing went flawless. Now as long we can get them to fit together tomorrow we'll be all set.

Prototype Packaging #2

2008-01-31T09:37:00.001-05:00

Early Packaging Concepts & Prototyping

2008-01-30T19:28:00.001-05:00

Prototype 1- Hourglass-shaped box made from paper & Tape

Modified Cards Backs

2008-01-26T14:04:00.002-05:00

Modified Instructions

2008-01-26T13:34:00.001-05:00

Comments From Critique

2008-01-26T12:38:00.000-05:00

Well our first round of instructions were way to vague for anyone to figure out how to play our game the way we intended. The comments we got about how people thought the game was supposed to be played were the most helpful because I was able to target their areas of difficulty with more detailed instruction. Everyone thought our instructions needed more text to describe what was going on in the pictures, so I've added that. We got some positive comments about our pictures in the instruction booklet, and Justin thought it would look better to have a picture on the backs of our card instead of the descriptive text logo we had tried to use. We were impressed by they way that Brendon & Bruce laser cut their cards, so me and Andy are going to give it a try tomorrow.

I HATE PRINTERS

2008-01-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

The New Face of Our Game

2008-01-25T16:50:00.002-05:00

Title Sheets all Ready

2008-01-23T22:38:00.001-05:00

This is a sheet of our logos that has our game, name. Its all ready to be printed on the backs of our letter cards. I'm just not looking forward to getting the printer to work with the thick paper again.

Experiment With Arrows to Show Direction

2008-01-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

More successful, but could still use improvement. I haven't added in the text yet, but I think making the arrows more simple will help the flow. Next I will also try replacing the current arrows with ones that better match the style of the drawings. That should improve the overall composition and unity.

Experiment With Dots to Show Direction

2008-01-23T22:22:00.001-05:00

I would say not successfull. The splits and loops look way too messy & confusing.

Our Printed Instructions and Changes That Need to be Made

2008-01-23T22:21:00.000-05:00

Ain't those colors pulchritudinousThis is hard to read but basically we will be combining a few frames, changing from horizontal fold to vertical and adding some kind of directional elements.

Instructions To Play

2008-01-23T01:11:00.001-05:00

One More Secret Yet to be Revealed

2008-01-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

And the world waits.......

It Has a Title!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-22T00:23:00.001-05:00

Something like this will probably go on the back off all the cards.

Making Pictures into Cartoons

2008-01-21T20:19:00.001-05:00

I learned how to make my halftone style cartoons from pictures in photoshop from this tutorial. link

Thats me on a zebra

2008-01-21T20:15:00.001-05:00

Wussies Need Not Apply

2008-01-19T19:22:00.000-05:00

After the Lava card is drawn, the remainder of the game is played over a flowing stream of molten hot lava.

"Draw 20 Letters" Frame

2008-01-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

uncolored

My Font Printed on a "Chance" Card

2008-01-19T00:44:00.000-05:00

"Shuffle" Frame from the Instructions of Our Card Game

2008-01-19T00:25:00.001-05:00

Original Photo

Outlines

Background

Skin

Sleeves & Red Cards

Yellow Cards & Finger Nails

Halftones

Parts of Our Game

2008-01-17T09:27:00.000-05:00

Selecting cards from letter stack.

Drawing "thing" card.

Picture option.

Spelling option.

Clear diagram of rules and scoring.

Finished Font on Cards

2008-01-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

Uppercase and lowercase all set out for your enjoyment.

C, B, & A!

2008-01-11T10:03:00.003-05:00

The beginnings of my bitmap font.

Unicycle Seat Sketch

2007-12-06T08:13:00.001-05:00

Slackline Ratchet Sketch

2007-12-06T08:11:00.000-05:00

Truck Sketch

2007-12-02T08:10:00.000-05:00

Unicorn Anialator

2007-11-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Modify an old appliance to create a new hand tool
2. Can not use electricity

Description:
The unicorn anialator was invented as an end all solution to pesky unicorn infestations. This original prototype was fashioned out of an old foot massager I picked up at my local thrift store. It can remove anywhere from 1 to 99 unicorns and runs purly on magic. Before I get a bunch of angry emails about destroying rare mythical creatures, I would like to state that we are not yet certain where the unicorns go after the unicorn anialator is discharged. I like to think they are transported to a magical fairy island where they can prance about with other unicorns and live happily for the rest of their long lives but the truth is we just don't know. I have nothing against unicorns. I am just a industrial designer and bussinessman filling a whole in the ever increacing demand for unicorn control products.

Video:

Pics:

Wooden Sculpture Made on Lathe

2007-11-19T22:02:00.001-05:00

The requirements of this project was to make an 8" 3d representation of the camouflaged cube from the previous project. We were to build it out of only "solids". I used this project as an opportunity to learn how to use the lathe. I think it would have looked nicer with a darker stain to hide the imperfections of the wood.

Banana Sketch Series

2007-11-17T08:07:00.000-05:00

Microwave Sketch

2007-11-08T08:07:00.000-05:00

Disappearing Cube Project

2007-11-07T18:04:00.001-05:00

Design Fundamentals Project:
1. Create a pattern on a 8"x8" sheet of paper
2. Create 2 more patters on 8"x8" paper that line up with the right side and bottom of the first pattern
3. Continue each pattern on 3 24"x24" matt boards(9 of each pattern)
4. Paint patterns two or three colors
5. Make a 8"x8" cube that appears to disappear from view when placed in front of patterns

Zipper Sketch

2007-11-06T08:06:00.000-05:00

Plastic Spoon Sketch

2007-11-03T08:05:00.000-04:00

Plastaline Paul

2007-10-28T08:47:00.005-04:00

I was experimenting with plastiline by trying to make my brothers face.

Prunes Sketch

2007-10-28T08:05:00.000-04:00

Guitar Cable Sketch

2007-10-27T08:04:00.000-04:00

Amp Sketch

2007-10-27T08:01:00.000-04:00

P-Bass Sketch

2007-10-26T08:01:00.000-04:00

Pen Sketch

2007-10-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a sketch of my favorite pen for filling out forms. It has a really nice triangle grip and a hight ink flow that's very consistent. Its the Uni-ball Gelstick.

Mighty Mouse Sketch

2007-10-24T07:59:00.000-04:00

Shoe Sketch

2007-10-22T07:58:00.000-04:00

Tilex Sketch

2007-10-21T07:57:00.000-04:00

Glasses Sketch

2007-10-19T07:56:00.000-04:00

3d Cube

2007-10-19T01:18:00.000-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Draw 6 sides of an imaginary 3d box on 6 sheets of 8x8 paper.
2. Use a provided source image as the front view and imagine what the other sides look like.
3. Designate a light source and shade accordingly.

Source Image:
Front View:Top View(bottom faces toward front):
Left Side View:
Right Side View:Back View:Bottom View:

Cell Phone Sketch

2007-10-18T07:56:00.000-04:00

Paper Towel Dispenser Sketch

2007-10-15T07:54:00.000-04:00

Suit Case & Foot Massager Sketch

2007-10-13T07:52:00.001-04:00

Hammer & Chisel Sketch

2007-10-13T07:52:00.000-04:00

Bottle Sketch

2007-10-06T07:41:00.000-04:00

Electric Razor

2007-10-02T07:40:00.000-04:00

Sketch of My Hand

2007-10-01T11:11:00.000-04:00

Bike Pump Sketch

2007-09-30T11:05:00.003-04:00

Bandanas

2007-09-29T11:01:00.002-04:00

Sketch of My Foot

2007-09-28T10:58:00.000-04:00

Helmet Sketch

2007-09-27T10:55:00.000-04:00

The Best Umbrella I've Ever Drawn

2007-09-26T10:37:00.000-04:00

Color Value Scale

2007-09-26T01:02:00.000-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Mix paint to create a color value scale of 2" squares.
2. Place the lowest values on the bottom and highest values on the top.
3. Place the least saturation on the left and most saturation on the right.

Christopher Walken Sketch

2007-09-25T10:41:00.001-04:00

Matt Bellamy of Muse Sketch

2007-09-24T10:33:00.002-04:00

Transformation Drawings

2007-09-24T09:52:00.004-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Select 2 very different black & white photos.
2. Draw a line drawing of each photo on an 8"x8" piece of paper with pen.
3. Create an 8 step transition between the 2 drawings on separate 8"x8" pieces of paper in pen.
4. Make copies of each line drawing and do a transition from no shading to fully shaded with pencil.
5. Make another copy of each line drawing and do the shading drawings again but with colored pencils.

Source Images:

All the drawings put together as an animation:

Violin Sketch

2007-09-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

My sister's violin.

Scooter Sketch

2007-09-20T10:21:00.001-04:00

(drawn from looking at a photo)

Sketch of Pelle Almqvist from the Hives

2007-09-17T10:16:00.000-04:00

Push Pin

2007-09-16T10:14:00.000-04:00

Sunglasses Sketch

2007-09-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

Fire Hydrant Sketch

2007-09-10T16:56:00.000-04:00

Combination Lock Sketch

2007-09-05T17:26:00.000-04:00

This is not the actual combination to my lock.

Shoe Sketch

2007-09-04T17:12:00.000-04:00

It looks squashed because I was trying to draw it at an angle with perspective but I think the front needs to be made larger to make it look right.

Gargoyle Sketch

2007-09-03T17:05:00.000-04:00

Drum Set Sketch

2007-09-02T17:02:00.001-04:00

Chair Sketch

2007-08-31T16:39:00.002-04:00

The first sketch in my sketch book for design fundamentals. Elizabeth had us all draw this chair that was sitting on a table.

Black & White Drawings

2007-08-31T10:47:00.000-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Redraw two of your most successful drawings from the 50 Drawings Assignment and one element form your self representation in ink on an 8"x8" sheet of paper.
2. Cut each drawing into 16 squares and rearrange into compositions that show unity, direction and focal point.

Originals: Dinosaur, Snake, Self Representation
Ink Drawings:

Direction
Unity:
Focal Point:

Point, Line, & Plane Drawings

2007-08-29T01:37:00.000-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Select drawing #3, 9, 19, 31 & 49 from the earlier 50 Drawings Assignment
2. Draw a point, line, & plane representation of each drawing in pen on 8"x8" paper.

Originals:
Point Drawings:
Line Drawings:
Plane Drawings:

50 Drawings

2007-08-27T23:54:00.000-04:00

Design Fundamentals Assignment:
1. Draw 50 drawings over the weekend.
2. Number each drawing.

$7 Bill

2007-08-24T13:05:00.003-04:00

The elusive seven dollar bill is enlarged to be used as a number for my desk in design fundamentals. Assignment: create a three dimensional number to sit on your desk. I chose to make it by folding poster board and painting it a minty green color. Then I took a green pen on one side and a black pen on the other and drew the characters and patterns. I used a one dollar bill for reference.

Unicycle Diving Board

2007-07-21T00:10:00.000-04:00

My attempt at a front flip off the diving board doesn’t really work

I then settle for a dive

A Christmas Card I Designed

2006-12-25T08:36:00.001-05:00

Blue Steel Rangers

2006-12-20T07:33:00.004-05:00

Blue Steel is teenagers with attitude that fight evil.

Sam Holmes - Accordion
Paul Holmes - Bass
Scott Stanley - Piano
Clay Turner - Guitar
Caleb Van Voorhis - Drums

My first line art and halftone shading picture made with photoshop

2006-10-10T08:53:00.003-04:00

The Spectacular Chronicles of the Lone Unicorn Rider

2006-09-24T00:46:00.002-04:00

The true story of the Infamous Lone Unicorn rider and his battle with bandits. Watch as he fights them off using mentos and diet coke!

This was our entry into the YouTube Mentos Diet Coke Geyser Contest. We took home the first prize which included a mentos hat and 500 iTunes downloads.

Sam Holmes - Bandit
Paul Holmes - Unicorn Rider
William Holden - Bandit