Yes, I am a jewelry lover and am always enchanted by the power of a well designed piece. Jewelry speaks for your style and what’s in your mind, and it does so either in a classy, quiet or loud way. … Continue reading
Sometimes forgetting about projects that you worked so hard, you had dreams and nightmares with is very easy.
Two years ago, I was spending long days at the DAI wood shop working on a torchiere assignment for my Rapid Prototyping class. The goal of the assignment was not only to design but also to build a lamp using CNC (computer numerical control) technology. My goal was to become familiar with the ShopBot and to make the Epilog Laser Engraver my best friend. For a whole semester, this assignment became my life, then it came with me to the four different places I lived in, until finally landing at my current “stable” home. Through all the moves, my poor torchiere survived crashes and a few parties. Today, I hugged her and decided to give her a new look by cutting 15″ off her tall leg. I am not sure if I made the best decision, but at least now she has a new look to be around for another couple of years (hopefully without moving so much). After all, a $500 torchiere should last you at least half decade right?
Let me introduce you the process of designing and building my beautiful (no joke) Albero Lamp:
Research: Understanding how a torchiere works.
Finding inspiration in the Architectural and Fashion worlds.
Study Sketches: 3-4 out of 25.
Study Sketches: 7-8.
Study Sketches: 11-12.
Study Sketches: 15-16.
Study Sketches: 19-20.
Initial 1/4" scale study models.
First 1/2" scale study model. This day was a painful one.
Finding a double layer of inspiration at the Academy of Sciences.
First full-scale prototype out of cardboard.
Expressing my love for endangered species and the epilog laser. Match made in heaven.
Finishing the Albero Torchiere. Made out of FSC certified maple appleply, brown English oak and plexiglass.
Her original height was six feet and starting today she has become a four-foot and three-quarters babe.
Happy indian summer,
~Isabel
a perspective of design 