3D Design: 3D Triathlon (2)

Practical design and making

The brief set was to create something out of 20 sticks of spaghetti that was capable of holding 3 balls without them touching each other. I initially began this task by doing brief sketches/ideas of what I wanted it to look like. This was helpful, however only to an extent as most of my ideas worked in theory and not in practice. 

Fig.1 Trial & error (authors own, 2013)

Fig.2 Trial & error (authors own, 2013)

Fig.3 Trial & error (authors own, 2013)

Fig.4 Trial & error (authors own, 2013)

Fig.5 Trial & error (authors own, 2013)

After several failed attempts at trying to replicate some of my sketches I decided not to restrict myself to trying to copy drawings as I already acknowledged that they work in theory and not in practice. I then decided to use them only as a guideline and just create something. I found this method easier as I still managed to achieve the objectives outlined in the brief.

Fig.6 In the process (authors own, 2013)

Fig.7 Testing with balls (authors own, 2013)

Fig.8 Testing with balls (authors own, 2013)

Fig.9 Final structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.10 Final structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.11 Final structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.12 Balls placed on structure  (authors own, 2013)

Fig.13 Balls placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.14 Balls placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.15 Balls placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.16 Pens placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.17 Pens placed on structure (authors own, 2013)   

Fig.18 Pens placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.19 Pens placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.20 Pens placed on structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig.21 Structures made by rest of group (authors own, 2013)

I thought I was successful in meeting the brief as my piece held more than 3 balls, nevertheless I think it could've been improved if it had more structure to it. If I had the opportunity to to change elements of structure I would give it more of a direction and make it less abstract aesthetically. On a positive note, I liked that the piece is versatile and could be used not only to hold balls but to store pens which is more purposeful. 

The next requirement was to protect my structure from harms way as it was going to be tested- with force. Initially I was sceptical about doing this as I felt it was pointless because the spaghetti sticks are so fragile that any attempts to 'test' them wouldn't fail. Nonetheless I proceeded by using the tactic of layering scrunched up paper to intwine between the structure for added padding. In addition to this I decided to use rolled up columns of paper to place in between the spaghetti with the hope that they'll act in the same way pillars/ bases dotted around buildings act as a support mechanism. I finished these details off by using a piece of card to wrap around one side of the structure which I planned to be the side that would face the most force. 

Fig. 22 Protecting the structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig. 23 Protecting the structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig. 24 Protected structure (authors own, 2013)

Fig. 25 Protected structure (authors own, 2013)

Testing

Fig. 26 Basketball (authors own, 2013)

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Fig. 27 Structures waiting to be tested (authors own, 2013)

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Fig. 28 Broken spaghetti structure (authors own, 2013)

My structure was tested by the force of a basketball being bounced on top of it. As i predicted, my structure was unable to withstand the force. Nevertheless it didn't shatter as I thought it would have. I could easily have pieced it back together. Overall, this was an interesting experience as it required a lot of thought and trial and error.