Blog #12: 3D Design | Final Project Initial Idea | Reading Takeaway

 

1. Creative Assignment - Tinkercad

Prompt:

For the 3D modeling assignment, I chose my reindeer pencil case as the object to build a 3D model of. This object has a special meaning to me because it is a gift my mom brought to me from her business trip to Finland. I cherished it so much that it has been my one and only pencil case since middle school, the time it spent with me makes it an indispensable part of myself. 

I decided to use Tinkercad for the 3D modeling software, which I had some very limited experience with and wanted to practice more. The process of building the model is mostly choosing appropriate shapes and combining them to construct parts that assemble the reindeer design. I also familiarized myself with the alignment tool of Tinkercad which helps to make the structure symmetrical.

Process:

• Combining basic shapes and resizing combination groups to make parts:

• Aligning parts to create a symmetrical composition:

Final model:

  

Front view

Side view

Back View

2. Initial Ideas for Final Project:

New Media: 3D Printing

Traditional Media: Painting

Theme: Nature

I got very excited with the three dices I draw, and somehow I felt lucky because both the theme and approaches fit so well with my interest and past practices. 

My initial idea is to, again, revisit the animal and fungus series I have been working on but implement 3D printing as the new media to bring new dimensions to the theme. Here are some cut-and-paste collages I made before with the two subject matters for example, and my central idea was to make illusionary, visually interesting compositions through juxtaposition.

Through brainstorming the final project, I intend to recreate these images by turning them into 3D models. I will then print out the 3D models and assemble them if necessary. Since the 3D printer prints in a single color, I will paint them with acrylic to reproduce the colors which incorporate painting as the traditional media.

I am also considering making frames or structures to install the 3D models so they become little landscapes. I am not sure how to approach it but will keep experimenting during the process. 

3. Reading Takeaways:

Peppler, K. A. (2014). New creativity paradigms: arts learning in the digital age. Chapter 4, New Media Arts, The Do-It-Yourself Movement, and the Importance of Making.  

Pepper's chapter highlights the transformative potential of digital media arts in opening a new era of creativity and increasing the importance of making art education. DIY artmaking provides new opportunities for individuals to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and share their work with a broader audience. At the same time, this new paradigm of creativity requires art educators to rethink their pedagogical practices and adopt new teaching methods that emphasize collaboration, experimentation, and innovation.