A Chair That is Not a Chair3D Design - Rhino
Pitch
For the class 233: Spatial Design in the Interactive Art and Technology program at Simon Fraser University, we were tasked with creating a sitting surface that’s purpose was to seem as if it was a piece of artwork and not a chair. This was a solo project that everyone was tasked with using the 3D modelling software Rhino to complete.
Process Analysis:
Ideation
I started with the ideation process, we were given strict size guidelines so I started sketching keeping those constraints in mind.
My professor and I agreed on which of my ideas was the strongest, and I continued fleshing out that design. I was inspired by the dark, smooth stones on the beach by my house.
Figure 1. Initial Ideation for chair (2020)
Figure 2. Fleshing out design (2020)
Process Analysis:
Modelling
Next, I started modelling my design, it was my first time working in Rhino, so I was learning as I went. I built it from the bottom to the top. Creating the curves using Rhinos planar control.
After the structure was complete, I rendered it, as seen below, and then put the shape into the Grasshopper program our professor provided, which cut the model into a series of waffle cuts that can be seen in Figure 4.
Figure 3. Render of final chair. (2020)
Figure 4. Final render and final waffle-cut render (2020)
Process Analysis:
Prototyping
The final task of this project was to prototype it with cardboard, using the waffle cuts that Grasshopper created. The main challenge I had with this project was how to prototype it. Because I didn’t have access to the laser cutters at SFU Surrey, I would have to cut it by hand using a precision knife.
To aid in this problem, I set the number of waffle cuts to six along the Z-axis and the Y-axis as opposed to the original 10 slices. The model was more manageable to build in regard to the materials I had access to. The completed model can be seen below in Figure 5.
Figure 5. Final waffle cut model of the chair sculpture (2020)
Process Analysis:
Reflection
I believe my design was very unique, and I successfully accomplished the task of creating a usable chair that looks more like an art piece.
Overall I really enjoyed this project, I loved learning how to use Rhino, as well as having the opportunity to design a freeform sculpture.