Daisy Lishman (1333919300)
Portfolio of work for (BA) Hons Contemporary Craft, York College application
iPod Dock produced for AS Level DT: Product Design.
Main materials used: 3mm Plywood and 3mm acrylic
Design software used: TechSoft 2D Design and Solidworks
Design Brief: Design a product which enables the user to share music with friends
Design Influences: Arts and Crafts (1860-1910)
Dimensions: 320x116 (mm)
Evaluation: The product is easy to use, all components are easily accessible. The product meets its design brief; it allows the user to share music with friends. Minor details could be improved such as aesthetics of the screws on the back and the aux cable coming from the top.
I wanted to stick to the Arts and Crafts design influence that I had used previously when making my lamp at GCSE level. I wanted to replicate the floral cut-out detail on the front panel in some way so that the products could be sold as a range, or would be recognisable as made by the same designer. I also wanted to use the curved style again as I really liked the slick aesthetic this produced. Above, you can see some of my initial design ideas.
As part of the project it was required that we keep a production diary, photographing each stage of the process and writing a description of what actions were being taken. This was also a way of keeping track of things that might not have gone to plan originally, or when processes needed to be changed from the original plan of manufacture. This could then be evaluated on later. I have included a screenshot of the production diary above.
In the making of the iPod dock, I used a 3D printer, and 3D design software for the first time. As an introduction, I made plugs which would sit in the holes where the aux and power cables came out. This was a useful introduction to Solidworks and a good way to learn the basics.
Lamp produced for GCSE DT: Product Design
Main materials used: Aeroply sheets, 3mm plywood, LED strips
Design software used: TechSoft 2D Design
Design Brief: Produce a lighting product that is aimed at middle aged people and is based upon a 20th Century Art movement
Design Influences: Arts and Crafts (1860-1910)
Dimensions: Approximately 80x300 (mm)
Evaluation: The floral design encapsulates the Arts and Crafts design movement. The lamp itself gives off a mood lamp, as opposed to a bright, direct beam, and while this wasn't part of the original specification, this works really well and I think it is really effective.
As part of the project we needed to include an exploded diagram of the product. This helped picture how the product was going to be held together, for example, whether pieces would be glued on with rebates or screwed into another piece. It was at this stage I decided that body of my lamp would need to be made using sheets of aeroply wrapped around a mould.
I have included a screenshot of the production diary for the lamp as well. In this you can see the process of wrapping the aeroply around the mould and tightening it with string, all done with a single sheet at a time. This was a lengthy process but turned out to be really effective. You can also see the inner panel which houses the LED strips, the battery holder made out of a strip of acrylic and the switch that sits on top.
The software used to design the pieces that built up the lamp was Techsoft 2D Design. This software has a tool which you can use to trace over an image, so I used this to turn a floral image into a design which could be cut out using a laser cutter. This was very intricate work and took at least 3 hours. Because I designed this piece before the rest of the product, this caused some issues with the size, and the design also had to be altered when small, intricate parts broke after being cut out.
The above image shows a clock that I made at school. This was made out of 3mm acrylic and was one of our first introductions to using 2D Design software and the laser cutter. It had to be made with someone we knew in mind. Mine was made for my dad, inspired by his love of music and his keyboards. In making this clock, I also used solvent cement for the first time in order to make the extra hook on the back (5 small pieces of acrylic glued together.) It’s still hung on the wall today.
Dimensions: 90x220 (mm)
The following images are of crafts that I have produced in my own time.
The above image shows a bracelet made using a beading technique called the spiral rope stitch. When using two or more different coloured beads, this striped, tubular pattern is produced and while it is simple to do, it looks really effective. I was introduced to beading at a young age by many family members.
The above image shows ornaments created using salt dough. I found this method on Pinterest and gave it a go to create some Christmas themed ornaments which could be hung up. Salt dough can also be used to create models, such as the hedgehog. The salt dough can be moulded in many different ways; I used clay shaping tools to create the Christmas ornaments, and the hedgehog was created using the point of scissors. There are endless ways that this material can be used. It can also be painted, as I have done, using acrylic paint.
The above image shows nail art designs that I have produced. This is very intricate work which requires a very steady hand. While it looks simple, I believe it takes a certain amount of ability to create neat and tidy, aesthetically pleasing designs. I invested in a kit which included shaping tools, dotting tools, glitters, diamante embellishments and all sorts of other things to improve my skills in nail art and I also have a large collection of colours. I have done nail art on many people, not just myself and my designs are very highly admired.
After seeing henna body art online, I decided that this was something I could have a go with myself. The above images show designs that I have produced completely freehand. While I have experimented with stencils once, I feel that they are too limiting and can often damage your design. Again, my henna designs have been highly praised and I have done designs on many people.
I very much enjoy doing Special FX Makeup and face painting. I have been requested by many people to do face painting for Halloween and fancy dress parties. Special FX is something that I have mainly experimented with in my own time, but I have done some Special FX for a media project. I invested in all my own face painting supplies and Special FX materials such as liquid latex and sculpting wax, and this was something I was considered pursuing as a career.
Following on from Special FX Makeup, I also enjoy doing fashion/'glam' makeup. While this simply stemmed from wanting my own makeup to look nice, having seen the growth of the makeup industry and makeup artists' recognition thanks to social media, I decided to take it a step further. I have my own Instagram page which gained over 200 followers in its first week. While I'm sure I will never be recognised by millions, it is nice to receive positive feedback on your work and inspire others when it is simply just a hobby that you enjoy.
I come from a family of artists and obviously picked up the creative genes myself. While I personally enjoy the making of things more than drawing or painting, I certainly think I have an ability to do so. Pencil sketches are my preferred media, more so than painting, however I have included examples of both. I have also done ink work, and have been asked to design tattoos.
Expanding on my drawing ability, I was inspired by people and their work that I saw online to try typography. This is something I really enjoy. While most of my typography pieces have been hand drawn and are just a hobby for myself, I have experimented using Photoshop to develop my designs further and create Christmas cards. These were only seen by family and friends but I do intend to create more and sell them on a platform such as Etsy. My designs usually begin with pencil, progress to fineliner and are then finished with coloured brush pens.
I have a keen eye for photography and producing a good image. Whether this is of a landscape or a product, I always try to take into account the way the image is going to look and whether or not it captures the subject in the right way. The above images have been taken using a DSLR, experimenting with focus points and shutter speeds. I take photos on a daily basis and have done for many years.
