Planning
In part 2 of this time capsule assignment, I wanted to make a box that had seven openings for the seven items I planning on putting in my time capsule. I began by measuring the dimensions of each item and deciding how I wanted these openings to be arranged and what size each of them should be for my items. My plan was to use an epilogue laser cutter to create the pieces of my box. While it was challenging trying to design a heptagon shaped box with seven separate openings the challenge truly tested my ability to be innovative and eventually I decided on a layout. I had found a box generator that would allow me to create a template for a model of my capsule as well.
Setbacks and Compromises
While I thought I had planned properly, this wouldn’t be a true challenge without some setbacks: I was not able to have access to the laser cutter, and if I could use it, the bases of my box would be too wide for the size of the wooden planks I was going to use. I also had issues trying to print and copy my template. I was a bit discouraged, I had an idea I was pretty excited about required resources that were unavailable to me. So I went back to square one, in both the design of my box as well as the medium, cardboard.
As another compromise, due to the amount of cardboard I had, I made each part of the capsule a different height rather than one uniform size because it honestly began to look cool to me and I wanted to keep running with that idea. I also felt I needed to do more than just simply build a frame so I added tinfoil to its exterior to improve the aesthetic. It was a bit challenging tinfoil tends to rip easily, but I stuck with it. In the end I was more comfortable with my results and it turned out better than I initially thought after all of my setbacks. I felt the different widths and heights gave the time capsule a unique shape that can be re-arranged or separated. I also used velcro command strips to keep my compartments together (though this made it difficult to not tear the tinfoil or ruin my progress if I needed to remove it).
Results & Post-Construction Reflection
My takeaway from this experience is that there are real life factors than can impact a design process. I felt through this stress a found a new innovation to create something different from my initial plan that in turn turned out to be more creative. However, I think if I were to do this differently, I would still use the laser cutter and perhaps use a covering nicer than tinfoil, but with this new design.
Ideation and Prototyping: A Reflection on Creation and Design 