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Outcomes of digitally fabricating my first prototype(s)

After finally being able to get this 3D model printed I was able understand the process that it takes to transition from Fusion, Adobe illustrator and to the software that uploads it to the machine. I was one of the most exciting part of this course so far, to see something you have been working on “come to life” in a way. I was able to print out 2 prototypes, one that follows the tutorial directly, and another that I have modified a design onto, to understand the difference in how we can incorporate our own designs.

As a result, I found that you are able to create your own designs, they need to be altered into a way that they can b reproduced onto the material accurately enough. What that means is the program maybe have to alter the image slightly,  so the lasers can etch the design accurately enough, especially when it comes to the smaller and finer lines. Also, there was slight burning on the edges of the laser cutting. A possible way to resolve that burning would be to mask up the material before feeding it into the laser cutting, so it doesn’t spread across the face of the materials further.

Overall, I have very happy with how this first prototype with the use of digital fabrication has turned out.

My next steps for this project would be looking into creating the hands for clock. Also with the Lockdown during this semester, I haven’t been able to browse for the correct clock module for this project, hopefully now that things have eased, I should be able to browse the shops to find the correct one I am after for this project, and use calipers to get the accurate measurements and incorporate that into my 3D model.

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Learning how to use Fusion 360 has been a very big challenge as I have had no experience with it, or any other 3D modeling software in the past. Without the ability to be present physically in class is too, disrupting the ability to learn, and ask questions. Sticking to online tutorials are okay, and i do understand self directed learning is a big part of this course, but it can feel hard to get some personalized feedback when there isn’t enough time. However, I am still just trying to progress at my own pace. Regardless, I have followed multiple tutorials on learning how to use Fusion, and experimented on my own too.

Finding an tutorial that kind of aligns with what i am aiming to achieve would require numerous different tutorials as I am attempting to achieve separate things eg. Finding one that can help me make a clock, then looking at one that would allow to me to import artwork, another that would teach me how to 3D model Taiaha, and then making them to the correct sizing.

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Crit session

We are preparing for our online crit session to hopefully obtain some valuable feedback on the sense of direction this project is needing to take. We presented both topics, food waste as an issue and turning that into a renewable form of energy, and geothermal activities as a renewable source of energy or the level of preparedness for natural disasters. After the crit session the majority of feedback was that we may need to create a storyboard on how or what it is exactly we are wanting to achieve. The crit session to me wasn't as helpful as when it came to our group presentation it had to be completely sped up due to being the last group and time constraints. Another question we had been left asking is who is our target audience? For these separate topics there would be different audiences. Food waste is basically for everyone, we would narrow down the focus to a household level and it was be the parents who conduct the shopping as well as the cooking. With natural disasters, the audience would be households also, but primarily focusing on children and getting them to understand the importance of creating and having survival kits so a game would appeal highly to them.

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A myriad of issues

We have discussed other topics that we may be able to relate and decide to pursue. There are a number of issues that come with food waste. Not only is food waste a major issue and the fact that the decomposition of the food creates a carbon emissions, there are also wasted energy and resources that come with the production and distribution of the food. There is also food waste due to the look and quality, where people may be unwilling to purchased the product due to that nature. We have learnt that the carbon that the food waste creates can be caught and turned into what is called biogas, "green power" renewable form of energy. Continuing the concept of green power and renewable energy, we decided to keep our options a lot more open, and took to exploring what type of geothermal energies are being used in New Zealand. Geothermal activities fall into the Green Power category, so we might be looking at basing this project around green power and the different forms of renewable energy in New Zealand. What also comes along with geothermal activity is the presence of fault lines. Jake has been focusing his on geothermal and fault lines, which then gives this project another aspect we may consider when selecting the direction to go in. When it comes to natural disasters due such as earth quakes due to these faults like, what is the level of preparedness household have? I would be interested in exploring if any households actually have emergency kits prepared. I can see this being in the form or a game to building your own survival kits.

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I have always thought of creating a type of 3D topographical map of where my iwi resides from, Wharengaere Bay, in the far north. I have always appreciated the craftsmanship when it comes to using resin and eye-capturing landscapes, with blue rivers and lakes. Some of the benefits to pursue this project would be the personalization and cultural connection to me, it would signify who I am as Maori, represent my tupuna and whanau, and be an accurate representation of where my hapu come from, Ngati Torehina.

After doing lots of research I have found it to be an extreme level of difficult to find a 3D map version of the far north, namely the Bay of Islands. To  create on myself would be completely outside of my current skillset as I have no experience at all when it comes to digi fab, 3D modelling, and CAD and CAM software. For this project I am wanting to create something that does hold usefulness, ideally repurpose that may be broken and give it new life, utilize both Laser cutting and 3D printing, and captures my Maori and cultural heritage, that's how I decided I would land on create a clock.

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Wahanga o te ra

The clock that I have decided on making is going to be one that carries a Maori design on the face, my cousin creates designs and i think it would be awesome to incorporate on his designs into this clock so it have that personal reference to it. The face would carry the designs, and on the border, will have different times of the day in Te Reo Maori, for morning, midday, afternoon, evening, night. The hands I would want to design to be like Taiaha, and to reuse an old clock module would be ultimately ideal.

The reasoning behind landing on this option for my project is it reflects my culture and who I am as a Maori. It would serve useful as it will tell the time, carry an educational purpose and people may learn new phrases or terms when it comes to learning terms in the Maori language, and it would allow to me to maximize my learning when it comes to incorporating both laser cutting and 3D printing. To learn how both of these machines work would allow me to understand the different processes and steps that must be taken to achieve the desired outcome.

Here are just a few examples of the different elements I am wanting to incorporate into my own project:

What I like about this design in that it has Pepeha on the outside, demonstrating how personalized just something as simple as a clock can be designed to be. What I would include instead in the times of the day in Maori. This design has just standard clock hands.

This example shows how creative you can get with the overall design of the clock, from the edges to the centerpiece deisgn of the artwork. This clock seems to show the sun of the face, which follows along the lines of something similar I also had in mind.

Also these aren’t Taihaha, it gives me the representation of how a 3D printed spears and clock hands can be achieved. I would look into finding my own design to suit the overall ascetic look of my Maori clock.

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BRAINSTORM

As a group some of the key things we discussed is the fact we are needing to land on cementing a topic on which we want to directly focus on.  Creating an illusion, where everything doesn’t appear to be all that it seems is something that crosses my interests. That creates a shock factor, which we can aim to communicate the issues we are aiming to educate people on. Environmental issues has became a hot topic for discussion in this group, so we know we are wanting out message to tackle and issue that is environmentally related.

Telling a story is also an important element we are desiring to include in this project, we are wanting it to carry a narrative approach. Coffee waste is a waste material I have struck an interest in on how can we repurpose this waste product into something educational and or reusable?

For this project we will research into different types and forms of waste, for example recycling, and research at how the projection reacts with that selected item, what is the effectiveness, and does it hold the captivating effect we are wanting it to hold and convey to an audience.

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Sem II

Groups have been formed about what we are wanting this project to be about. I have joined a group that consists of Ravenne, Jake, Jordan and I and we have been discovering what it is we are wanting this project to communicate. A mutual form of expression for this project that we all have in common is the Projection mapping of data representation.

Projection mapping can be used as a powerful story-telling tool. And has the ability to be projected onto many different items and objections creates diversity on a range of materials.

A few ideas that of projection mapping can be displayed on is projection mapping  a rainforest onto rubbish/trash or some form of waste to resemble we are destroying our environments and will ultimately be left with only a digital version or a cover up version of our forests. This idea targets to expose global warming and how the amount of waste people produce negatively impacts our environments.

Another ideas was to project pristine water onto polluted water, the aim is to target drinking water quality, as there is only a certain amount of fresh water available for consumption in the world.

Projection mapping a map onto wood scraps and re-purposing scrap materials, such as a wood chips, saw dusts, created a solid wooden sheet using glue, digital fabrication or resin. The aim was to demonstrate and educate that reusing waste materials can be re-purposed for an education reason.

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What is it I am wanting to make?

For this semester of digital fabrication, I have had an array of numerous options on what is it i am wanting to create. There are usually 2 main choices, something useful and that can be used for a purpose, or something more aesthetic and/or artistic. I am definitely more inclined to create something that has a usefulness to it, rather than just making something “just because”. I want to create something that could make someone's life easier, or help resolve an issue or some type of problem or communicates some kind of message.

Some ideas I have looked into what can digital fabrication achieve that does work towards, problem, solving, or mere convenience, is I have been looking at Charging Docks for my wall plug when it comes to charging my phone, it was always been something I have come across when I have had no where to lay my phone when it came to plugging it into a wall and charging it. Or perhaps a cable tiding and organizer. I have taken to pintrest to see what options lay out there in the digital fabricated world.

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Loci - The visual social marketplace

This prototype became the final version of what I envision Loci the be nearing its fuller potential. It is heavy is attractive visuals, that has categories with the ability and options to explore further on what each of those categories entails. It would be up to the NZ Business owner to register and upload their own products, which then allows the community to interact with the enabled people to share, like, comment their own interactions and experiences with these owns and products in particular.

Loci - The Visual Social Marketplace

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I have never used Adobe XD before, but it was something I could see being very difficult to use once you get a better understanding on how it works. Here is just simple app version prototype I explore on how the online social marketplace could potentially look and flow.

What I found challenging however is my lack of experience with this program. I had to look online tutorials on how this program can be most beneficial. The key part I wanted to ensure that the prototype held though was the Visual representation the goal of Loci tried to achieve.

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Reponses 1

1.       What is you view on the importance for people to seek out local NZ owned businesses?

 I think it’s a wonderful thing to be able to support local and NZ owned businesses – but due to the generally higher costs in doing so, it is not always possible.  Especially if you’re income is limited.  For example, I would LOVE to buy locally made furniture but it is entirely unaffordable and I have to buy “Made In China” cheap furniture instead, or go without.  I think too we sometimes forget that the bigger, overseas owned chains still employ Kiwi’s to work in those businesses, and in turn, those businesses should be supported as well.

  2.       How important is it for a business to be engaged in the local community?

For some small businesses, local community engagement is key, but for some businesses, where there potential client base is broader (Auckland wide, NZ wide), it honestly isn’t as important.  

  3.       Does your business have an additional presence in the community? i.e sponsoring  local charities or sports teams, hold events, have stall at a local market

Our product is a funny one in that it is not easy to offer free samples or contribute to a hamper, etc. The size (and marketing budget) of our business doesn’t extend to monetary support of sponsoring events, etc. but we have sponsored school sports team uniforms and each month we do Meals on Wheels in our local community.  It’s not something that we promote in our business or something that directly benefits sales or our online profile; it just makes us feel good :)

 4.       If yes, how does that additional presence support your business further?

 My business doesn’t have a direct benefit from my local community (only so many in my community are getting married or organising events that fit our price point), but the “feel good” aspect in community involvement is great.   Sometimes, we are recommended on the local grapevine for people looking for our type of services, but it hasn’t really turned into sales.

 5.       What does your business’s online presence consist of?  Facebook page, website, app, YouTube channel, Instagram, Grab one, available on Uber eats.

Our online presence is Facebook, Google and Google Ads, website (our own and on other online directories), Youtube, Vimeo and Instagram.

 6.       How important is it for your businesses to be able to connect with the community online?

Our finished product is essentially digital, so being able to connect with our community online is vital.

Feedback section:

Rather than an app, maybe a site like Pricebuy would be quite good – type in something you want to buy and it gives a list of local suppliers and prices and links to their websites/phone numbers, and then also a place where you can browse everything.  The FB group New Zealand Made Products that South Aucklander event manager, Sarah Colcord started up has blown up – it has the right idea but in its current form, it’s not easy to browse what you’re looking for other than the search feature which might miss the right supplier depending on your search criteria.  I think she may be on the way of doing something similar to this anyway.

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Response 2

1.       What is you view on the importance for people to seek out local NZ owned businesses?

 Given that it looks like NZ is going to be in their own bubble for a while and not relying on tourism dollars, I think it’s very important that we all support NZ owned.

  2.       How important is it for a business to be engaged in the local community?

 Very, local social media pages have been pumping local business support and I was filmed recently as one such local business which will go on our local FB page. 

3.       Does your business have an additional presence in the community? i.e sponsoring  local charities or sports teams, hold events, have stall at a local market

 Yes, we sponsored the construction of a Little Free Library as well as a Community Fruit and Veg Stand.  We post frequently about the fruit stand as I collect excess food from New World Long Bay daily so we get a lot of feedback about this.  We’re also members of 1% for the Planet so support local environmental causes too.

4.       If yes, how does that additional presence support your business further?

 Good feedback, we have branded company vehicles so people often see me parked up at the shed filling up the shelves. 

5.       What does your business’s online presence consist of?  Facebook page, website, app, YouTube channel, Instagram, Grab one, available on Uber eats.

  2 websites, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and a You Tube channel.   

6.       How important is it for your businesses to be able to connect with the community online?

To be honest, for this business it feels like I’m just talking to myself. I run a number of charities pages for Foster Hope and get massive engagement there, but not so much with Monty’s Promotions.

 7.       And finally, how do you think your online platform could be made stronger in reaching more people?

Not sure, perhaps offering more give aways will get people reading and following but I think FB works well for things you want personally or around the home, and not so much for things that you’re looking for when you’re in your working day.

Feedback section:

Love the idea of what you want to create, looking forward to hearing more. 

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Response 3

1.       What is you view on the importance for people to seek out local NZ owned businesses?

 QUITE IMPORTANT FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY

  2.       How important is it for a business to be engaged in the local community?

 NOT REALLY

  3.       Does your business have an additional presence in the community? i.e sponsoring  local charities or sports teams, hold events, have stall at a local market

 NO

4.       How does that additional presence support your business further?

 NA

 5.       What does your business’s online presence consist of?  Facebook page, website, app, YouTube channel, Instagram, Grab one, available on Uber eats.

  WEBSITE + FACEBOOK

 6.       How important is it for your businesses to be able to connect with the community online?

 NOT VERY

  7.       And finally, how do you think your online platform could be made stronger in reaching more people?

 ENGAGE A PROFESSIONAL MARKETING COMPANY

  Feedback section:

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Response 4

1.       What is you view on the importance for people to seek out local NZ owned businesses?

 Small businesses are at the heart of every community here in NZ. They help communities function and provide a hub for people. There were so many customers who needed us during the lockdown. Especially those who were elderly or had underlying health conditions. They didn’t feel safe visiting the big businesses but wanted to stay local, small, and secure. Also another great importance is that small local businesses help to employ a lot of people. They are critical to the country both economically and socially. 

  2.       How important is it for a business to be engaged in the local community?

 Without the community a small local business cannot survive. It’s a respect which is mutual. Effort must be made to build a great environment for the customers and that is by getting out there and doing right in the community. Building your reputation. It should come naturally too. Straight from your heart, ethics, and morality. 

  3.       Does your business have an additional presence in the community? i.e sponsoring  local charities or sports teams, hold events, have stall at a local market

 Yes we do and we have sponsored many charities, schools, and sports teams over the years. We have also held events at the store for the community. 

4.       How does that additional presence support your business further?

 The community then understands we actually care. We are not here to just take from people. We are here to also give.  It helps to widen the exposure of our business which is both beneficial for ourselves and the customers. 

 5.       What does your business’s online presence consist of?  Facebook page, website, app, YouTube channel, Instagram, Grab one, available on Uber eats.

  Facebook, Instagram, and a website. 

 6.       How important is it for your businesses to be able to connect with the community online?

It is very important. We are now living in an online world. It’s critical to stay competitive in this current era. Online gets your business out there and keeps people engaged. It also provides another platform for customers to view your products, promotions, or be in contact. Helps to make the community feel closer and united through another method which can reach them quickly. 

  7.       And finally, how do you think your online platform could be made stronger in reaching more people?

 Currently the website is run by the cooperative and their online marketing team. However the Facebook page and Instagram account is run internally by the store. Therefore it doesn’t receive the focus it could as we can only attend to it when we have time. Greater attention may bring a larger interest to our platforms from the community and beyond. 

 Feedback section:

 An excellent idea Sheldon and wish you only but the best in creating this app. It will definitely be of great help to local small businesses. Customers do pop in and say they never knew we were here. Auckland is a big city and people can get lost in it. Your app will hopefully help people support local businesses by building that connection and sharing our importance to society. Thank you.

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Analysis of Reponses

For the NZ business survey I reached out to 5 businesses across different sectors of what makes up businesses here in New  Zealand, and received 4 responses.

From what I gathered from these 4 businesses is that as the lockdown has caused different impacts across different sectors.

The 4 sectors I approached were Concrete Manufacturing, Film Production, Supermarket, and

The small supermarket has commented on only being slightly impacted by the lockdown measures and was deemed an essential service and possessed the ability to operate during lockdown, therefore not being eligible for financial assistance from the government.

Film production company has received many cancellations due to the nature of the restrictions, celebrations weren’t taking place anymore causing devastating effects to the future calendar for events.  but for the post production side of the work was still able to be done during to lockdown as that part is already paid for so it did not sustain costs during that time.

The results found that concrete manufacturing company had quite an impact as it found that during the lockdown as there an no ability to continue production during the lockdown. the orders however didn’t get cancelled rather than just postponed, so that after the lockdown the orders were still there and work was basically able to pick up as normal again, aside from the now required precautionary measured needed for the standard.

The online shopping company felt one of the largest impacts due to the nature of the business that relies on clients making purchases for their own businesses, and with that inability they suffered a massive drop in sales. There was still the ability to work from home also, and was also able to receive financial assistance from the government for the wage subsidy.

The survey then transitioned into talking about how important the business to to be engaged in the local community. For this section the feedback was most inspiration on the direction on how this project would head.

Majority of small businesses prides itself on small businesses being at the heart of every community and is that local community engagement is key for some businesses, but those with a potentially broader client base it isn’t as important.

They combined talked about how more important supporting NZ owned is going to become heading into the near future, and that having an online presence is vital in the digital era. Online gets your business out there and keeps people engaged and is a platform for customers to view products, promotions and be in contact.

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Inspirations

The biggest inspirations were Instagram for the social media aspect

It is quite evident that people do reply on and enjoy sharing what they’re up to and how they interact with places in public.

The visuals of the barter board would also come the be an inspiration of because of they eye-catchyness of it call, it draws people in and encourages them to engage and click and expand on and explore further with the graphics, which is an element that aligned with my projects vision.