To give tangible meaning to FormZ as a modeling tool, this assignment had us create a luminaire. To start, we used the "basic" 2D and 3D modeling tools to created forms that were modified with various other tools (intersecting, subtracting, rotating, duplicating, etc.). Once the luminaire took shape, we applied textures and colors to the different objects and planes. Lastly, we used the "lights" feature, to position lights and see the effects of the cast shadows. FormZ isn't always easy to use, and my first attempt at modeling this luminaire resulted in a great deal of frustration. For example, I was unable to enable the objects to be transparent, thereby allowing their colors and textures to be represented in shadow. The light was also difficult to control; for instance, I wanted to "wash" the backplate with light to give it a soft glow, and I have not been able to position a light to create that effect.
Following our in-class review, our course instructor Nancy Cheng demonstrated several additional techniques, enabling me to create some of the effects that I had envisioned for this luminaire. Shown here are my original layout (left), and the modified layout (right) with model and layout changes. The text has been modified as well.
The inspiration for this luminaire is found in the Stockholm Public Library in Stockholm, Sweden, designed by Erik Gunnar Asplund.
3 comments:
Paula,
It's SO great to see you apply things from class immediately to good effect. The textured renderings are really compelling - that golden layer has a kind of Japanese gleam to it, with just enough transparency to make it mysterious. If you've managed to miss Tanazaki's In Praise of Shadows, he talks very poetically about how gold gleaming on lacquer and screens look subtly inviting under candlelight but become gaudy under electric lighting.
In general, I prefer to keep the number of lights casting shadows few (turn it off in the Lights palette right column arrows). but in this case, it adds an interesting complexity. The Red and Blue variations show a good attention to the amount of transparency and shininess.
I'm also glad to see that you posted your sketches on the blog - along with your thoughtful text, they do a nice job of explaining where you are coming from so we can respond appropriately. I don't see too much of the Asplund Library in your design but I appreciate the way the initial radial walls turn perpendicular to become translucent screening elements. Currently the relationship between the planes and between the planes and the cylinder appear a little random for my taste. I would be interested in seeing you develop the idea of a back reflective plane, a linear lamp and screening / deflecting planes. Perhaps you could think about the planes as having some adjustability and you could make an animation.
--Nancy
This is really beautiful... i love the way you had preliminary sketches and then included them in your final presentation, that i a great touch. The directions of light are very complex and the amount of layers included is wonderful and really help to creat the entire image. The colors of light really ad alot to the composition as well, this a very thought out assignment and it came out beautifully..
Wow... gorgeous! It's hard to tell what size this luminaire would be in real life. Is it a tiny desktop thing or a building sized thing? I like the idea of something HUGE.
A creative use of simplistic shapes.
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