Drawing, Designing, Constructing in 3D

Our second project has started! Here is the objective:

This project focuses on 3-dimensional design as function and form.  Building two cardboard chairs, you will explore material and functionality as a constraints, as well as prototyping, mock-ups, and 3D drawing/designing.  

 

Primary Emphasis - Content / Materials focused design / Prototyping and mock-ups within the design process

Secondary Emphasis- Ergonomics / Structure / Design as problem solving / craft

Materials:  Drawing supplies (paper, pencils, erasers, 18" straight edge), corrugated cardboard, utility knife, glue (wood glue)

Here are a few reflection questions we were told to think about (so I decided to post my responses to them here):

What considerations have to be taken about the cardboard material properties when thinking in terms of structure?

       The corrugation makes it more structurally secure when the weight is put on the vertical corrugations rather than when it is on the horizontal. It is stronger when it is doubled over (folded). Folds are easier to make when you score or crease the line of fold before you actually bend the cardboard.

Why is cardboard corrugated? 

       To increase the structural integrity of the material

What happens to cardboard when you crease, score, fold, or cut it? 

        The material becomes weaker

What adds strength and integrity?  

       Double folding, aligning the vertical corrugations, forming triangles to hold weight

What reduces the materials integrity? 

       Water, over working it (bends, folds, cuts, creases, etc)

What techniques improve structure?  

       *same as above*

What techniques improve craft? 

       Scoring/creasing before making a fold so they are precise and clean, straight cuts

Which of the structural terms and principals on the website listed below, and in the structural principals vocabulary list are in play in your seat when it is sat upon?  

       Stress, Tension, Compression, Distribution of load, Moment of inertia, Center of Gravity

In other circumstances?

        Pretty much the rest of the entire list applies to seat construction in one way or another because building/using a chair made out of cardboard is a structural process