DIGITAL FABRICATION
Digital fabrication is the process of translating computer-generated designs into physical objects using computer-controlled machinery. The methods I use include 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling. By combining digital design tools with automated production, digital fabrication enables rapid prototyping, customization, and complex geometries that might be difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional manufacturing methods.
PARRYING DAGGER
On a well-worn table of dark, weathered wood, an ancient parrying dagger rests upon a soft leather cloth, as if it has just been set down by a wandering adventurer. The dagger's blade, slender and sharp, glistens faintly in the dim light of a forgotten chamber, holding the echoes of a thousand battles fought in distant lands. Its cross guard, a twisted design hinting at both artistry and the warrior's skill.
ARTIST ROLE
Design Engineer
3D Printing
Cleanup and Painting
Product Visualization
RETROSPECTIVE
When creating this dagger, I carefully considered material stresses and paint type. Printing in ASA was the best choice for this project as it's durable and won't warp in direct sunlight. While it's not intended for actual combat, I optimized the print orientation to maximize durability within the design's limitations. This was the second knife handle I created with my 3d printer and the 'Textured Rustoleum' paint works amazingly well at adding grip.
SITH ACOLYTE MASK
In the shadowed heart of cosmic conflict, a visage of crimson and gold emerges, etched with the fierce elegance of a war-torn symphony. The helm, forged in the fires of ancient vendettas, gleams with the intensity of a thousand dying stars. Dark tendrils, like serpents of the abyss, coil around it, whispering secrets of an empire built on fear and power. This is the face of dark ascension, a harbinger of relentless ambition, where the pulse of the universe beats to the drum of an eternal struggle between light and darkness.
ARTIST ROLE
3D Printing
Cleanup and Sanding
Painting
Product Visualization
RETROSPECTIVE
I experimented with multiple materials as well as different paints to create this mask. The exterior of the mask is painted on top of the 3d print with a mix of acrylic and enamel, which provide varying levels of glossiness and texture. The interior of the mask is air dry clay with an interior mesh structure for strength and painted with the same gold acrylic as the exterior.
FLAT EARTH
Contrary to the well-established understanding of the earth's curvature, this captivating representation challenges our perception by depicting a flat earth as a cube. It offers a glimpse into an alternative perspective, allowing us to contemplate what our world might look like if it were indeed flat. This fabrication encourages us to reexamine our assumptions of what it means to be flat.
ARTIST ROLE
Concept Design
Design Engineer
Graphic Design
Laser Engraving & Cutting
Assembly
RETROSPECTIVE
This project involved a mix of CGI programs, CAD software, and Graphic Design programs. The most satisfying aspect was learning the process of transferring graphical information between different shapes, such as transitioning the texture of the Earth from a sphere to a cube.
LEATHER MAP
Laser engraved onto leather is a map of early North America during the westward expansion era. In the East, geographic details such as rivers and mountains are meticulously noted. Moving westward, these details gradually blur into broader strokes, capturing the uncertain knowledge of these expanses during that time.
ARTIST ROLE
Design Engineer
Graphic Design
Laser Engraving & Cutting
Surface Finishing
Assembly
RETROSPECTIVE
Dialing in the exact settings on the laser for both speed and power proved a challenge but was worth it in the end. Part of the solution was building a rig so that the leather couldn't shrink when subjected to the heat of the laser. Prepping and cleaning the leather proved vital in achieving the results I desired.
JACK SKELLINGTON MASK
In the whisper of twilight, a skeletal dream cradles the visage of nocturnal whimsy. The hollow eyes, voids of velvet night, gaze serenely into the abyss of stars. With a stitched smile, it speaks of realms where shadows dance and autumn leaves rustle secrets to the wind. Wrapped in stripes of monochrome mist, it is a harbinger of eerie lullabies, a ghostly figure in a land where pumpkins reign and spirits weave tales of enchantment and wonder.
ARTIST ROLE
3D Printing
Cleanup and Painting
Product Visualization
RETROSPECTIVE
During this project I learned the importance of 'Plastic Bond Putty' and its efficiency at hiding layer lines of the 3d print. I decided to use wire for the stitches rather than include that design in the 3d print. Using wire adds strength and could bind two separate 3d prints in future. For the eyes I experimented with spandex stretched on a wire frame to block direct view.