MIAD Industrial Design "The BigScalator"19 inch x 29 inch
200 DPI Digital Collage (Photopea) Completed December 8, 2023 Exhibition Text: This project challenged my art skills in a way that was more professional than ever before. I focused on creating a clean and concise product that presented my product clearly. Using Photopea, I was able to manipulate images and text to achieve my goal of a professional product proposal. |
Artistic InspirationFor this project, I found the original patent for the first escalator, created by Jesse Wilford Reno at Coney Island in 1896. Since this project was to create an industrial design, I wanted to have my product resemble a patent like the image to the right, with cross sections and examples of it in use.
This second inspiration shows a modern escalator, but has details featuring the dimensions of the structure, and also shows it in use. The simple design of this image allows the focus to be on the specifics of dimension.
PlanningMy original concept for the project was to create an automated bicycle carrier that would be placed next to a staircase. The intent was to decrease commute times by letting you stay on your bike as you ascend a staircase. Pictured to the right is the very first planning sketch of this concept.
After critiquing with Murf, we decided that it was not universal enough, and a bike escalator would not get enough use. He created this quick sketch to represent how different transportation devices could use my creation as well. However, the physics of creating the actual mechanism was not realistic at all. Murf believed that it had potential for real world application, so we thought of ways that the concept could be applied to existing products.
His next sketch implemented the accessibility component into an escalator format. I searched through the internet trying to find anybody who had patented the idea already, but it existed nowhere. The sketch shows how the escalator's slow and safe motion would allow any load to ride it without the need for harnesses and safety rails. It also builds upon an existing product, so new technology would not need to develop before this invention is possible.
ProcessFor the first panel, I sketched my ideation in my notebook to then upload to photopea. I took the image to the right and used the "Select Subject" tool to highlight the parts I needed automatically, and cut them out.
After finishing laying out the words and images on the first board, I started creating the second board's larger display. Per the instructions, I wanted to add transparent silhouettes to show the scale and applications of the product. To do this, I found silhouette stock photos on the internet, and set their opacity to 70%. This made them appear more ghostly and let the BigScalator be visible behind it. In the image to the right, I thought that the way the man was standing did not fit his environment, so I used the "Puppet Warp" tool, which allowed me to manipulate the different parts of the png image towards where they fit better. I repeated this process for the man in the wheelchair and the worker pushing the boxes. I wanted this section to have the same effect as Murf's second sketch in that it shows different ways the product could be used.
ExperimentationIn my process, I experimented with the tool of refine edge. I tried implementing Murf's drawings into my posters, but the marker he used would not format well and did not look clean. Instead, I was able to use the Refine Edge tool on my notebook sketches, as seen in the process section. This was helpful in turning my jpg images into png transparent files that only held the contents of the marker drawing.
CritiqueFirstly, my product relates to the inspiration because of its purpose, which is to pitch an idea for a product design. Back in 1896, Jesse Reno had the same intent as I do now in creating his patent. I imagine that he similarly presented his product on poster boards, just like I did. My product is also similar to the second inspiration in that it shows the design in context. In the escalator cross section, it includes scale representations of passengers traveling up the staircase. I also implemented this, only they also have various examples of items that could also be supported by the BigScalator. My product differs from the inspirations because of its perspective. Both inspiration examples use a cross section side view, while mine uses a 3/4 angle that highlights the size of each step better. I chose to do this because at a side angle, the BigScalator would look no different than a normal escalator. ReflectionAlthough I did not use good time management through the process of this project, I am happy with how it turned out. I knew that my initial concept was not realistic, and I am glad with the changes I made in collaboration with Murf to create a plausible product. This project helped me develop as an artist into the realm of industrial art, which I had no experience with before. I found it to be a good learning experience to create a board used to pitch my idea, and I think it will help me in other types of presentations I will have to do in my career. My project connects to the inspiration in that it expands on something that was already created. In the inspiration, Reno altered the staircase to become more futuristic, and my industrial design pushes the boundaries of the product that Reno created. I hope that people view my work as a design with a lot of potential and applications, and with enough investment it could be present in every mall, factory, and airport across the country.
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ACT QuestionsClearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork? My products are clearly inspired by the patent cross-section format and effects the art by creating a straightforward purpose. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? My product that aims to increase accessibility and efficiency of a space in a productive way. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration? There is not many examples of innovation based on products that are already common place, because it would be very expensive to implement enough of my product for it to actually make a difference. What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?. Efficiency and accessibility What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? I assumed that this style has nothing to do with artists, but the patent creator always has to be technically proficient in their art skills. |