Week 1: Introduction, Computer- Aided Design

Final project idea: Wearable Kinetic Sculpture

Brainstorming: I have always been interested in fashion, specifically haute couture, which is constructed by hand from start to finish. After seeing Iris Van Herpen’s SS21 show, I was particularly drawn to the kinetic sculptures built by Casey Curran. For my final project, I hope to make a harness inspired by the kinetic crowns, “each gently shape-shifting their silhouette, continuously re-framing the visage.”

Inspiration and Ideation

Sketching possible designs

I found a close up video of the exact crown, and took inspiration from the mechanisms and shapes. I definitely plan on changing the specific aspects of the crown to make it my own. For example, I want to 3D print shapes other than feathers that can move fluidly, and also plan on 3D scanning my chest so that it can fit as a harness. For the moment, I want to be able to see how I can model a basic version of the original design so that I can tweak it in the future.

Assignment

CAD Modelling

The assignment for this week was to model a possible final project on a CAD software, so I chose to make a very rudimentary version of the crown/harness on Fusion360. I had no experience in Fusion360, so it took me a long time to figure things out. Initially, I made the base tube which the “feathers” would be attached to and rotate on, as well as the many tubes that would hold the string that would pull the feathers up and down.

Finally I sketched, extruded, and cut the feathers.

I created a mirrored circular pattern around the base tube, and arranged the angles of the feathers to simulate the movement of the piece.