# Modules >1st year university project, 2014 ![[modules render.39.png]] **The project consisted of designing two elements (Modules) with a logical geometry and creating a modular configuration with infinite three-dimensional development.** Expected learning outcomes and skill building from the exercise: - Dive deeper in the student creative process and basic skills - Use and leverage of basic knowledge of visual communication - Learn and use workshop machinery and tools at a base level Design constraints: - Maximum dimension per module of 100x100mm - Only using a "U" connection type of 10x10mm --- ### Ideating Logic geometry brainstorming by pair of shapes, focusing on the constraints and producing a high quantity of ideas: ![[Module composition-02.png]] We were asked to accompany each design with a one word description and one inspiration picture that we will choose before starting drawing. That helps setting a clear direction and design intent, as well as training conceptual thinking. Some examples of word use: ![[Module composition-03.png]] >[!Quote]- Designer notes: One word, one image >I found myself using more sophisticated and adapted forms of this basic tool nowadays, in more complex projects, the design intent is normally user focused and simple words become guiding questions about what they need. I have used this tool to help guide my team (and myself) in situations where, even if we have a user, is not clear how to start tackling the problem. In those cases and in my experience, coming back to simple basics and approaching complexity from "below" helps unstuck the brain. >[[Designer notes#One word, one image|Go to designer notes]] --- ### Quick prototyping Post-brainstorming quick prototyping of the more interesting ideas to see how they behave and feel in 3D: ![[Premaquetas individuales.png]] Composition exploration mixing and matching some of the explored shapes: ![[Composiciones.png]] --- ### Iterating Chosen module A from previous exploration and further iteration on the design: ![[iterations-01.png]] Chosen module B from previous exploration and further iteration on the design: ![[iterations-02.png]] ##### Test prototype The elements outlined in red above were selected for one more round of fast prototyping and testing how the composition develops. I wasn't convinced with allowing for so many angles with module A (the round module), as it can be seen in the composition on the right, there is a dead centre where U connections are available but blocked by itself. ![[Prototype.png]] --- ### Chosen design Apart from this two modules allowing for a infinite 3D composition (complimenting each other with 45 and 90 degree angles for U connections), they share a common design language thanks to the curves, tangents and circular details. The negative and positive space is similar in both compositions, helping them visually weight the same. ![[final modules-04.png|]] *<p style="text-align:center;">Balance - Symmetry - Light</p>* ##### Composition prototype Example composition result of the two chosen modules: ![[final prototype-05.png]] --- ### Wood prototype The last part of the exercise was to create both modules out of wood to learn how to use basic workshop machinery and tools for higher fidelity prototypes. A step before stepping into the workshop was to find the technical measurements of the modules. ![[final modules-03 1.png]] Module A: ![[cotas-06 2.png]] ![[b construction-07.png]] Module B: ![[cotas-08.png]] ![[a construction-09.png]] Final result: ![[final wood.png]] --- ### Renders ![[final modules.png]]