Handmade sketchbooks for third project

For the second SDL project I needed a small A5ish sketchbook to contain research on 2 specific words as well as a new learning journal to record any extra notes. I created both of these using waste packaging and extra paper from old sketchbooks.

The front of the learning journal

The learning journal was created using waste
cardboard covered in an old H&M bag, with
empty cut-up cans on top of this for the outside.

Cello tape was added on all sharp edges to make
 them safe, and opening rings hold together the
covers and pages by holes. Pages can be
added when necessary to avoid wastage. 

The back, once again created using 3 cut-up cans

The second book, to be used as the main research book, was created from 

an old cake-mix box with 6 separate sets of paper (once again 

unused paper from old sketchbooks) sewn into the spine. 

The idea for this book was taken from the book "How to 

Make Books", by Esther K. Smith.

Handmade sketchbook for second project

For the second project I created a sketchbook using waste materials, which would allow me to add and remove pages, print titles and research photos directly onto the pages. I reused old cardboard and covered it in scrap fabric (attached using PVA glue). The thread which binds the neck of the sketchbook can be removed and retied so that more pages can be added in. I also used scrap paper as well as normal paper for the pages, to give suitable qualities to certain pages, e.g. squared and tracing paper for research pages.

Sustainable Living

Sustainable living involves a balance between ecology, equity and economy. Brud explained it should, "Meet the needs for present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their need", and this can be done by designing with consideration for the future by using materials and processes which will cause the least damage to the planet. For example, collaborating with interdisciplinary fields when designing to make the most effective product. Things like material origin must also be taken into consideration, with more local materials boosting economies as well as saving on delivery emissions. Below are examples of products and positive/ negative aspects of these from a sustainable outlook.

This rechargeable torch may create renewable power, 
however the sourcing of the plastic must be taken into
account. Although it could be recycled, it is probably not
 actually made from recycled materials. The LED's inside 
are more efficient than bulbs which also makes
 it a more sustainable product.

The metal used to create this ring could be
melted down to make something else, however
the energy needed to do this would not be worth
the small amount of metal created. This is
therefore not a sustainable object as a lot
of energy must have been used
to create it alone.

Batteries are a non-renewable form of energy and are
extremely hazardous to the earth if not disposed of
properly. Although a small amount of energy can be
practically created quickly, batteries are not a
sustainable form of energy to continue using
 for future generations.

This jumper was handmade using recycled wool. The
wool was already existing and will bio-degrade in the
future, which makes it a good material. Hopefully the
 jumper will last a long time, making it more
sustainable, however if fashions have changed
and future generations would not want to wear it
the materials are perfect. It also saves on delivery
and factory emissions as it is handmade.

This t-shirt was made from bamboo, which is
a fast growing and renewable material. Although
it is made from natural materials, things we
are not told about such as transportation distances,
fabric dyes and whether they are natural and
other added materials which would affect
biodegradability must be looked at before
calling it sustainable.

Small Scale Sculptures

A series of 9 small scale sculptures made from recycled materials.

Morphing Maquettes

Maquettes created based on a drawing exercise which involved morphing 2 different objects together through a series of 8 drawings.

                                                        The first model was created 

from the fifth drawing 

of a series showing a wooden 

mannequin morphing into 

a digital camera.

The second is the third drawing of a series showing a peg morphing 
into a pair of scissors.

My Final Container

My final structure cannot contain my sketchbooks, as I did not take wood thickness dimensions into account during the design process. It does, however, fit in my learning journals and maquettes, and I feel that it is successful as a small scale container based on negative space.

The final container in the negative space. Although 
the structure did not fit perfectly, I added a small 
piece of wood  between the base and the soap 
dispenser as the added lock unbalanced the 
inner panel.

My final container shown open and
holding all of my maquettes for the
project. From this photo you can see
the untidiness of the glue inside the
 front panels, but the glue could not be
sanded off of the ply without removing
 a layer of the wood.

A photograph showing the final
container when it is closed.

The final container when both
 doors are open.

A close up of the front panels and top area.

Details of the top section without
maquettes being held.

This photograph shows the top opening and how it balances
in a curved shape as a result of the small spaces between
each  piece of wood, held together by the fabric strips.

I created a removable shelf for the top area
so that maquettes in this section would
be separate from the bottom section.

Detail showing the locks. The keys were created by
 inserting dowel into a drilled piece of thicker dowel
and sanding into a rounded edge.

Making my Container

Photos showing the making process for my container.

After the main sides were cut out I glued 

and pinned the fixed edges together

 before clamping and leaving to dry.

I added semicircles which were the woods
width smaller than the outer cirlce inside
for the top opening to sit on.

The container was smoothed and sanded
 throughout the making process.

Three equal rectangles of wood were cut
for the front opening, and multiple equal
rectangles for the top opening. These
were attached with fabric hinges.

The fabric hinges were created by cutting the
fabric into 2 strips which were the width of
the inside, and gluing to the wood. The
fabric was then cut into strips for the
wooden panels and strips to be glued to. 

The fabric was added inside for aesthetic purposes,
so that there would be no obvious join between the
fabric for the hinge and the inside of the container.
 A rectangle of wood with a hole in was also added
inside so that a hole in the top panel of the front
opening could align with the hole in this wood
to create a lock (by inserting dowel). 

For the top opening, the wooden strips were spaced
evenly apart and glued to the fabric strips. Cling film
was added so that the strips would not become
attached to the smaller circles inside but the curve
could keep its shape by drying on top of them.

The bottom strips were glued to the back
of the front panels. Small spaces were left 
between all of them to allow movement.