DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills...DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills, TU Eindhoven 2 In the first class, we talked about how we often forget to look in our daily lives. Every-thing around

DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills, TU Eindhoven

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First AuthorBart van [email protected]

Assignorsdr. ir. J. W. Frensdr. ir. B. J. Hengeveld

AbstractIn this report I will give insights into my learning pro-cess of the course DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills. The knowledge that I have obtained during this elective will be discussed, and shown via various models and sketches that I have made during this course.

I want to thank my peer students and the assignors Bart Hengeveld and Joep Frens for giving critical feedback, allowing me to improve my deliverables and learning experience as a whole.

Authors KeywordsIndustrial Design; Design; Form; Experiences. ACM Classification KeywordsDesign.

DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills

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DIS ‘14, June 21-25, 2014 Vancouver, BC, Canada

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In the first class, we talked about how we often forget to look in our daily lives. Every-thing around us is designed, but we hardly ever appreci-ate it. We were asked to draw several objects which can be found throughout the campus. We were asked to construct the objects rather than just draw, keeping basic forms and proportions in mind.

Next, we sketched traffic signs which can be found throughout the entire country. You might think that after all these years you know the shape of these signs by heart. But this was not the case, the main differ-ence was the outer part of the sign. Which is rounded in real life, rather than pointy and sharp as I sketched them.

Another object that we had to draw was a light on the sides of the limbo-pad. I was quite certain about this object, because I observed the curv-ing fence in front of the light once. I had the basic form of the object right, but I miss guessed the back of the object. I learned that the back (or bottom) of objects are also designed, rather than a simple copy or reflection of the front.

Last, we had to draw the information signs which are located throughout the campus at various art installations. I was unable to recall the shape entirely, which caused me to draw a completely different object. Something that can be seen in this sketch, is that I focused on the construction better than in previous draw-ings (signs / ground light).

Week 1‘Learning how to look’

Starting with the waste bin in front of the La Place building. I had the wrong waste bin in mind, a sharper block with a slanted top. Despite the fact that I was completely wrong shape wise, it was a nice op-portunity to see how impor-tant shapes are, because they change the entire feel of an object.

As a next step we drew the little fence which separates the car parking space from the bike parking space. With this object, I was much more aware of the object. Something that also helped during this sketching exercise was keeping the connection points in mind. My sketch was more accurate than the one of the waste bin, but it missed some critical aspects in the (connection) details.


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This week, we had to present the ‘Form Abstraction’ exer-cise. In this exercise we were asked to choose three objects from our living environment and deconstruct them into ba-sic shapes. During this exercise I tried to keep the technique in mind where you use various line thicknesses. The feedback obtained upon these sketches related to the composition which could be improved by drawing a square behind your sketches make them pop out, and connect them as a compo-sition. Also, different sketched perspectives help to under-stand the shape better.

As a first object I choose a bottle. It is a bottle with quite some details, which allowed me to practice my abstraction skills. The first abstraction that I made was deconstructing the bottle into 3 basic shapes. A cylinder, a cone that has been chopped off at the top, and another cylinder representing the cap of the bottle (top right sketch). The next step was to dissect the cylinder further, the first cylinder had a small indent, which can be described as a horizontal torus that cuts the cylinder all around. Later, I focused more on the grip and the sharp indents on the cylinder.

Week 2‘Form abstraction’


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The second object that I dis-sected was a pen. I choose this pen because I found it interesting how the clip was attached to the rest of the pen. Rather than a simple plastic clip, it is an aluminum plate wrapped around the base of the pen. In the first sketch (top right) I dissected the form of the pen into a block, with a sharp tip. This tip can be approached by creating a cone, which chops off a part of the block. In later sketches, I focused on the detailing: the entire pen with a separate clip and button (bottom left), and the clip separately (bottom right).



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The third and last object that I dissected was a tape holder. This object can be seen as a block, with a cylinder that cuts out a part of this block at the top which I sketched in the top right image. Later, I focused more on detailing this block (bottom-left) but I noticed that the proportions where quite off. For example, the block that cuts out the part where the tape should be was way too shallow. Which I improved in the bottom right image.



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Week 2‘Form abstraction’ - All sketches


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During the third lesson we had to present an exact copy of an existing wall socket. Prior to this presentation, we learned how to properly use spray paint and measure us-ing a caliper. We also learned that there should be a focus on conceptual clarity, definition and finish. Conceptually clear objects should be completely designed, and a fea-ture must never be seen as a mistake or a coincidence. The definition related more to details and proportions. And the finish to how the work is finished and presented. This theory was extremely useful while replicating the socket, and assessing your own work.

Week 3‘Product copy’

I used multiple layers of stacked MDF, which made the proportional aspect of the form easier to complete. Unfortunately, the finish became harder due to the paint-sucking capabilities of the material. The details within the socket are also made of MDF, which I had to sand by hand due to the size. The earth-pongs are made of an old can, which I cleaned from any coating or paint.

During the feedback, it was said that my finish was (relatively) nice. However the proportions were a bit off. This mainly related to the top cylinders, which encircle the sockets. I was wrong with the fillets that are applied on these, changing the appear-ance of the entire model. I think my finish could have been better, especially on the insides of the socket. There are some parts where the paint did not adhere to the MDF as much as I wanted. My model also lacked the detail of a cut vertical box, which makes the earth pongs integrated with the rest of the socked.


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In the fourth week we had to present at least three copies of an object of which the dimensions had been hand out during the previous week. The three aspects: conceptual clarity, definition and finish were rehearsed and it was clear how to implement those in this assignment. There was a focus on the materials used, for which I initially choose ipé hardwood, soapstone, and plaster.

I started with the soapstone, which was softer than I expected. I was too enthusiastic with sanding the stone, causing the form to be too small forcing me to start over. This is the reason why I choose for a harder type of wood as a wooden material. This caused the process to be more time consuming, but it also allowed me to be more precise.

Week 4‘Materialisations’

As a goal for this elective, I stated that I wanted to become familiar with more pro-totyping techniques and materials. This was a nice opportunity to do so. I choose to create a mold out of silicon, which I later used to create a replica out of plaster. Un-fortunately, the horizontal mold (which can be seen on the right) caused the plaster to not entirely fill the entire mold (failed casts can also be seen in the bottom right image). I made a vertical version of the mold, which eliminated this problem.

Because we had a week of vacation, it allowed me to explore prototyping tech-niques further. A friend of mine owns a homemade Injection Molding Machine, which I used to fill the mold with PLA. In order to use this machine with my mold, I asked the people at vertigo to create an attachment for the machine using the lathe. I had no experience with the lathe, so it was a great opportunity to explore the possibilities of this technique. Unfortunately, the machine was unable to fill the mold entirely, which caused the PLA to coagulate too early and the shape to be off.


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For the presentation I created an A3 paper, with outlines for the forms and descriptions for the materials used. This was positively noticed. I obtained feedback relating to my fillets. They were under defined, due to my method of sanding. It thought me to use a custom made sanding block, to sand off a certain radius. Also, the angles of the stone version were not 90 degrees due to sanding which is something I needed to focus on later during the course.

Week 4‘Materialisations’


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In the fifth week we had to present our explorations upon shape integration. Previously, it was explained to us that we could use different methods of integration: Organic blend-ing, connections, addition and subtraction. After a couple of explorations, I choose for the combination of a pyramid and a cylinder. I al-lowed myself a lot of time and explorations in order to find a great position for the cylinder to be integrated with the pyra-mid. I used fillets to reflect the roundness of the cylinder on the pyramid.

I created a foam model of my sketch, because I found that it was quite hard to sketch. Especially the connection be-tween the side of the pyramid and the cylinder, which creates a parabola intersection line. This turned out to be a quite effective method, because it also enabled me to experience the form as a 3d object.

During the feedback I learned, that my shape was too shape-less due to all the fillets applied everywhere. Also, I learned that I should take the bottom of my shape into account. The object should be interesting to look at from all sides, and my bottom was just a simple plane. This were the main points that I had to redesign prior to realizing the model for the next week.

Week 5‘Form integration’ - Explorations


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Prior to the presentation in the sixth lesson, I redesigned my form inte-gration. I made my object sharper, and took the bottom surface into account. Doing this allowed me to also redesign the back of the object, making it more interesting from all sides. For the presentation of my model I created a square block, be-cause the bottom surface is a square originally as well. I slanted the sides of the presentational block with the same angle as the pyramid, which made them fit together quite nicely.

It goes without saying that this object also needed a proper finish. I took the coloring into account, we discussed this during class and also the literature of Burdek states “… colors, the arrangement of surfaces (forms), and the given illumination become important elements in per-ception.” (Burdek, p. 302). My form turned out to be quite bulky, which asked for a soft (pastel) color.

The main point of feedback on my model related to the finish. There are several elements of this model that are not finished properly. For some parts, I needed to use a lot of filler in order to get the transitions right. I was unable to sand this off completely. Also, I encountered the phenomenon of overspray which caused my model to be quite matte. On a conceptual level the fillets that I added to both the pyramid and cylinder were noticed but thought to be unintentional, they lacked some clarity.

Week 6‘Form integration’ - Result


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Week 5/6‘Form integration’ - All sketches


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In the seventh week we had to present our explorative sketch-es, and our chosen design for the form family extension cord. I started with a vertical socket, because allows for something else than normal horizontal sockets. This transformed into a shape with an overhang, which was only realizable with the use of different materials. I did some material studies, and found the New French Designs very interesting where a spectrum of designs that throw together the most diverse of materials. (Burdek, p. 149). One of these materials was concrete, which I explored further in the brutal-ism movement (Burdek, p.382) which is later also implemented into designs.

I choose concrete as a mate-rial for my heavy base, with an accent of metal (aluminum) as a switch and the overhang made out of wood. The feedback relat-ing to the material was quite positive, which is why I contin-ued with these. I did need to think about the application of my socket further why it had this overhang. Also, the overhang felt under designed and I needed to think about adding more features to this part. In order to create a balance in the object, it was suggested to think about a very light part to compensate for the bulky concrete base. While changing the overhang I needed to keep the proportions in mind, as they were random right now.

Week 7‘Form family’ - Explorations


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Week 8‘Form family’ - ResultIn the final lesson of this elective, we had to present our form family results. I added some fea-tures such as very light and thin arms which connects the base to the overhang. The function-ality resulted out of this connection, due to the fact that it enabled the arm to rotate over the base which allows the extension cord to be more flexible in use. I choose to put more emphasis on the materials, with reoccurring metal and wood in different parts of the design such as the metal ring on all possible entries or exits. In order to realize this, I needed to create the design early in the process so the on/off switch could be created out of aluminum using the lathe. The switch/button is raised a few millimeters from the concrete base in order to create this button effect. I did the same to the entire base by adding a couple of rubber pads on the bottom of the shape.


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My model was finished dur-ing this presentation, as I set the goal for myself to be ready in time. This caused the model to be less perfect as I wanted it to. For example, the connection points on the concrete base were a little bit off, which made the arm unable to rotate. Despite this fact, the feedback was quite positive. However, the plug felt a bit under designed, and it would have been nice if all the materials returned in the plug as well. Also, the arm has too many features in comparison to the simple base. I tried to return the angle of the base into the arm where I should have reflect the pure shape of a block more just as I did at the cone base. Also, the shape of the winged nuts did not re-turn in the shape which is why I should have used a normal nut.

Week 8‘Form family’ - Result


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Week 7/8‘Form family’ - All sketches


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I am very interested in the interaction between users and products. And I am convinced that aesthetics have a major influence upon these interactions, but I was unexperienced with formgiving of these. The elective did not only allow me to develop myself into the world of aes-thetics and formgiving, but it allowed me to explore various prototyping techniques as well. Apart from this, it also developed my attitude. There was a strong emphasize on how you present your work, and how you take care of your work. For example, creating an example pad or simply not folding your sketches improve the profes-sional look of your work tremendously.

I think I succeeded quite well in my per-sonal goal, throughout the elective I used various prototyping techniques that I did not do before (silicon molding, vacuum forming, lathing). As a result, I also used materials that I had never used before (concrete, plaster, soapstone, aluminum, PLA). I am certain that these techniques and materials will help me to lift my de-signs to a higher level. I should not restrict my designs to certain materials, but allow myself to explore and use more materials and techniques.

Reflection

During the course I have learned a lot of theory upon formgiving, verbally in class (especially the three aspects conceptual clarity, definition, finish) and through literature. This knowledge was extremely useful, and we were able to immediately implement this into our designs which emphasized the learning experi-ence. Not only the theory on formgiving was helpful, but also the theory on photography. It was the little push I needed to improve my product photography skills tremendously.

Apart from formgiving skills, I also developed my sketching skills. I feel much more content sketching explorative than I did prior to this elective. This is not only caused by the theory addressed in this elective, but also by the fact that in order to explore your forms you need to sketch and explore a lot. This makes me more confident in my sketching skills, and more eager to use this during the explorative phase of the design process.

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DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills...DCB110 Basic Formgiving Skills, TU Eindhoven 2 In the first class, we talked about how we often forget to look in our daily lives. Every-thing around