Dollar Key Tag Project - Part 4 - Realisation - Preparation & Marking Out

Transfer the concept on paper on the work piece using the Grid Method.
Above demonstration is done in class 1N1. Below is for 1N2.

Stick all three acrylic workpiece together using double-sided tapes.
Make sure double-sided tapes are directly below the project, not at the 'waste' parts.


(Note: The masking tape you see above is unnecessary. It was there because I pulled off extra two sections of tapes while distributing to all of you earlier on).


Below are 3 basic steps to guide you from Marking Out to Shaping the project.

Dollar Key Tag Project - Part 3 - Refinement (Development)

Dollar Key-Tag Refinement (Development) 

The example below is taken from my demonstration in class 1N1. 

Note 1: Here is a summary of some factors that should be considered when you refine your concept.

Before you could refine a concept, you should first select one out of the many you are drawn in the Idea Generation stage. Hopefully as you generate ideas in the earlier stage, you would have been modifying, combining, morphing and improving the concepts along the way. 

Note 2: It is good to keep your focus and refine (develop) your concept on factor at a time. You should also remember to refer to your Design Specifications where you list out the specifics what they product must do. The above example shows you a demonstration on working on weak areas, sharp edges or corners, and finding the best position for the coin. Keep on drawing fresh new ideas as you work along the first two factors. You will find your concept evolving.

Note 3: The next few focus refinement points are improving the overall shape and proportions, followed by exploring the best position for the key ring. Try different shapes and size configurations until they look right. Your first concept may look right in the beginning. But it is still good if you would have a go at exploring some minor variations. The outcome may surprise you! I changed the sizes and positions of the eyes. And it ended up one big and small eyes do look better than both equal size. That also helped me make a major decision that one of the claws would hold a coin and the other the keyring. 


Finally, nothing beats being able to simplify the concept. Find any features (e.g. shapes or method of construction) that looked complicated. Look out for the potential to simplify the project so that it still looks more desirable, easier to manage and make, and takes lesser time.  

Note 4: Always remember to go back to your Design Specifications. I have a restriction on material size. So remember to draw your latest development back into the actual working size to gauge how it might actually look like. Alternatively you may want to cut out a paper model for evaluation. Make any necessary fine-tuning after that. Both on the model and in your design journal. Notice I have also reduced the body size. It is now slimmer than before. I'll continue to develop (refine) it as long a time allows me to do so before I see you all again for the next lesson.

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The examples below are demonstrations in class 1N2. 

The steps and descriptions would be similar to the ones above.

Refinements on weak points, rounding off potential sharp edges and looking out for the best coin position.

Refinement on the overall shape and proportions and the position of the key ring. Simplifying the profile of the concept if possible but without compromising the functionality and aesthetics desirability.

Finally, the refined concept is drawn to scale within the perimeters of the actual work piece. Here further refinement may be required to ensure that everything is in place. Make sure the coin can move freely in and out of its entry point.

The Grid Method is used to transfer the scaled concept on the acrylic work piece later.

Dollar Key Tag Project - Part 2 - Idea Generation using the Shape Borrowing Technique

Idea Generation 

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Shape Borrowing from Fish and Animals


1N1 Class Demonstration for Idea Generation

Note 1:  Use your researched images to copy ('borrow') shapes that you think may be suitable as key tags with a dollar coin. At this initial generation stage, draw (or 'borrow') as many shapes as possible and do not worry too much about whether they will be practical or nice, etc. Try drawing in a coin or two just to have a feel of how it might look like with a coin in. 

Note 2: You may be refining certain features as you draw. This is fine. Do not worry and think that you shouldn't be refining ideas at the Idea Generation stage. It is perfectly alright as long as you are clear that your objective now is to generate as many different interesting concepts as possible.

The example shown here is a fish concept. Yours may take the form or other fish or animals.

Note 3: It is important even at this early stage to have an idea how the coins should be held in place. It is drawn here to show you how it will look like because the way the coin should be kept is already decided for you. Otherwise you would have to work it out at within your Ideation stage. Take note that the coin will be 'sandwiched' between the top and bottom shape.

 1N2 Class Demonstration for Idea Generation

Descriptions is the same as above.

How to Research for Images with Line Drawings

People who research for images frequently end up with poor quality prints with blurry edges and details. For those who desire to 'Shape Borrow' often find themselves with photos or images too complicated and defined to borrow its shape without the unnecessary details to the paper. With the following steps, I am going to show you how you can eliminate the two problems easily.


Step 1: 
Go to use 'Google' search. Click 'Image'

Step 2:
Key in keywords like 'fish' or 'animals'. Or more specific keywords like 'Rabbit head', etc. Your choice of keywords is important because that will mean whether or not what you are looking for will appear in the first few pages on the web browser.


Step 3:
You will realize that most images are not very useful for borrowing shapes. Because most for images are either a photo of a fish/animal or in more complicated cartoon forms.
Look the the left hand side of your web browser and find 'Line Drawing. Click on that.


Step 4:
When your web browser refreshes after you click on the filter, you will find that most, if not all of the images will be in the form of line drawings. This is where you start to look for the images that you like. Images that will most likely be suitable to be used as a key-tag to be able to hold a dollar coin.


Step 5:
Copy the selected images. Do not copy the thumbnail image! They are too tiny for print. Click on the image for it to load. 'Copy' when the image is at its maximum size. Paste those images either in a Powerpoint Slide or in a Word Document. Maximize your page space by packing them tightly within two pages.


Step 6:
Print and bring it back to the next lesson. Greyscale or Black and white printing is fine.


Note: Try to copy images that are higher in resolution. So that when you print, they do not become pixelated. Look out for images that are at least 400x400 in size. If you really want to make sure your image size is good, click on the filter 'medium'. Now all images will be at least a medium sized image. Go try. Always acknowledge your sources. If unsure, email the creator for permission to copy.

Have Fun!