​P3 | TRANSFORMATION

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project introduces students to a level of abstract thinking which
can be applied to the areas of Mech Design/Entertainment, Bio-Mimicry, Robotics, Cyborg Concepts, and similar emerging fields.

Students are challenged to use their imagination using an animal, derive a SPECIFIC machine of some kind.

Students MUST develop TWO (2) Aesthetic derivations:

1. Aggressive / Intense, AND
2. Friendly / Approachable

If it helps, imagine trying to make a robot based on your animal form,
but you are not limited to this approach only.

Note, robots do not need to be quadrupeds, they may fly, be aquatic, be
bi-pedal, even slither like a snake--yes, someone has made a snake-bot.

YOU CANNOT IGNORE GRAVITY OR OTHER PHYSICAL
REALITIES OF OUR PLANET.

Find an animal, insect, fish, amphibian, or any other life-form you find interesting to look at for it's form and surface qualities. There is no right or wrong to what you choose, but stick with your choice. Don't get frustrated
and bounce all over to try a different animal because the first one you
chose isn't coming out well.

Note, an interesting form is not necessarily cute and cuddly and makes
you happy. Some of the most interesting life forms are somewhat frightening
to look at, but they are also the most exhilarating and fascinating.

Your Exploratory Sketches will need to vary the particular view, such as side, front, or top views, as well as perspective. The view you choose will not make or break your work, only the limitation of your imagination or limits of your drawing ability and/or technique.

Focus, practice, and push through any barriers holding you back.

This will test your openness to variation and exploration.

If you get stuck, draw upon references of other cool things, but hold
onto the core essence of your particular life form.

Your reference life-form must be something real from this earth that has
been scientifically validated to exist or have existed. ie, no ghosts, angels,
fairies, unicorns, ligers, chupacabras, or the like.

No extinct animals such as dodo's, or dinosaurs, there
are plenty of interesting things still alive here and now.

Recommended, is anything with lots of parts and exo-skeletal
structure, like insects.

Tap into the "attitude" of the animal. What is it's stance?
What is it's demeanor? What about different body flexing positions.

Search for the geometric forms that will help to guide your
decisions and understanding of the form.

You may trace. Start with an underlay that helps you hold on to the basic proportions. You will still be required later to translate to a perspective view.

Remember to draw like a designer. Use center axis lines, base lines, articulated edges, line weight variation, form logic, contours, etc.

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DELIVERABLES

2 - Hero (Emotive) Style renderings of your Two Designs. Feel free to complement your sheet with exploratory study sketches. Include image(s)
of original reference animal.

1 - Exploded Assembly drawing rendered simply, preferably in 3-pt perspective

Finished renderings on 2-3 11x17", 12x18", or similar sheets.

Adjust text, drawings, scale, etc. as necessary.

Include narrative description of your two designs, with consideration of potential application(s), ie. a domestic pet and child-development learning assistant.

Use Photoshop if so desired for final layout. Highly recommended.

TUTORIALS & HOW-TO GUIDES

THOUGHT BUBBLE

Species made extinct
by human activities

Animal extinctions
since 1500

PART ONE
EXPLORATORY
SKETCHES

A minimum of 60 study sketches a specific animal (insect, reptile, amphibian, mammal, bird, fish) while mechanizing the form—mech design—retaining key attributes of proportions, stance, attitude, etc. while articulating a functional purpose for their end product.

Your product's application and it’s use must become clearly defined.

Create a list of analysis needs from research with similar or related devices.

Solutions are provided using analogy and through research.

A recommendation is made that leads to simple configuration drawings. Gesture drawing (introduced in the previous assignment) should be used to discover new styling aesthetics.

Number your sketches.

All sketches must be complete.
A silhouette without complete detailing is NOT a valid sketch.

Medium / Materials

You may use an alternative paper such as black or a mid-tone Canson and use a white Prismacolor Verithin pencil instead of graphite or ink pen. Trim the Canson paper to approximately 14x17.

8-10 sketches per sheet, well organized, 10 sheets total.
DRAW LARGE!

Organize your sketches like the example(s) provided below. Adjust as necessary for your particular form; a long skinny form will require a different organization than a thick blocky form.

Include your name in the lower right corner of each sheet for the Professor's documentation purposes.

All sketching is monochromatic only. Use Prismacolor (or similar) pencils; indigo, sepia, burnt umber, crimson red, black, etc. However, DO NOT mix color on a given sheet (like the example from Christian below). Each sheet, one color. If you want to use a different color because you're bored,
use a new color on the next sheet.

DO NOT JUMP TO PART TWO UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED
APPROVAL TO MOVE AHEAD

Part 1 by Tomas Castro. Fall 2014

Part 1 by Christian Pacpaco. Spring 2012. Cataloged process

Part 1 by David Touch using ink and white Prismacolor pencil on a textured recycled stock. This organization is clustered and a good demonstration of draw-through technique. Summer 2013

Part 1 studies by student, Erica Negron, Summer 2013. Using white Prismacolor pencil on black Canson. This organization is clustered and a good demonstration of draw-through technique. Excellent, examples of