Grid Method - Transferring Refined Coaster Patterns onto an Acrylic Workpiece.

Previous: Simple Refinement (Development and Improvement) Process for Coaster Design

Using the Grid Method to Transfer Refined Concept on Acrylic Workpiece

How to use the Grid Method:

1) Draw grids on your original pattern. Add in grid numbers (see the image below) if that makes it easier for you. For more complicated patterns a 5X5 grid may be needed. The above example has a 4 X 4 grid drawn.
2) On your acrylic workpiece, draw the same number of grids on one side.
3) Locate the intersection of your drawn lines with the grid lines with 'X'.
4) Note the location and distances of the 'X' on the grid line and proceed to mark an 'X' on your workpiece.
5) Finally, join the lines or curves up. The pattern on your workpiece should look more or less identical to the one you have drawn on paper. If not, somewhere might have gone wrong. It happens. =)

Note: The smaller your grids, the more accurate your transfer can be. But slightly more work.

This is also an example of transferring the coaster pattern using the Grid method. Notice there are measurements everywhere. These measurements are distances from the centre of the circles to the perpendicular edges of the working material.

These measurements are useful for two reasons:

1) They are used to locate the centre of the circles which you can use a compass to draw a circle later on, or
2) for you to mark an 'X' where you need to drill or bore a hole.

Simple Refinement (Development and Improvement) Process for Coaster Design

This section is a continuation of a lower secondary Cup Coaster Design project.

Refinement (Development and Improvement) Process for Selected Coaster Pattern Part 1 of 2

Steps:
1) Round off sharp external and internal corners
2) Widen narrow 'necks' to improve strength
3) Simplify shapes to make them more manageable for making.

Refinement (Development and Improvement) Process for Selected Coaster Pattern Part 2 of 2

Steps:
1) Refine overall shape to achieve good proportions
2) Continue to morph design to achieve desired aesthetical expectations.

Remember: The refinement (or development) process is finish, only when the designer thinks it is finished. To produce quality work, the refinement process towards a final solution must also take into consideration satisfying the user's needs and expectations, the place the product will be use, the practicality of the final shape and form, etc.

Putting Ideas Back into Perspective

Did you notice the fridge at the bottom right hand corner of this example? As I was refining my coaster idea, I thought it would be nice to have a magnet right in the middle of the coaster pattern so that I can store it on a fridge if I do not need it anymore.

It would not be enough if I were to just draw a magnet on the coaster say 'Oh see, there is where the magnet would be... " and treat that as an improvement. It would make better sense if I sketch the new idea on the side of a fridge! Since it is now placed on the fridge, I can go on to evaluate the idea of a coaster on the fridge meaningfully. And that represents clearly what the magnet on the coaster is intended for. That is putting the newly proposed idea back in perspective to enable meaningful evaluation on its functionality and practicality.

This process of 'Putting Concepts Back into Perspective' within the intermediate key stages of ideation and development is so important but often neglected by students.

Next: Grid Method - Transferring Refined Coaster Patterns onto an Acrylic Workpiece.

Advanced Systematic Design (Pattern) Generation - Idea (Pattern) Generator - by Daniel Lim

This set of animation shows an advanced systematic design (pattern) generation. A variety of change is introduced to create even more pattern designs. The image below show some of the variations you can play with to modify and evolve your patterns.

The next image illustrates for you an example of how an ideation process to design a cup coaster using the Advanced Systematic Design (Pattern) Generation may look like:

The final image from this post below shows a suggested the ideation process up to development of a selected coaster design. Within it are detailed instructions and information on what should take note and include in your design journal.

For my earlier post on "Idea (Pattern) Generation using THREE CIRCLES" go to http://designjournalsos.blogspot.com/2011/01/idea-pattern-generation-using-three.html

For the next stage, Refinement of the Chosen pattern go to:
http://designjournalsos.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-refinement-development-and.html

Idea (Pattern) Generation using THREE CIRCLES

The Secondary ONEs (2011) learned how to make use of the combination of THREE circles to generate an infinite number of design patterns. For maximum effect, stick with one arrangement of THREE CIRCLES and join them up in as many ways you can think of before you change the positions of the circles for the next set of idea patterns.

You might be interested to know that this simple technique of arranging shapes and joining them are very important drawing basics. Artists and designers arrange, position and join various shapes to create interesting forms in their drafting stage (or at least I do...).

The image below shows various options you can adopt to start modifying your initial THREE circle patterns and begin your journey to endless (pattern) idea possibilities:

Have fun!

For advance systematic idea (pattern) generation go to "Generator - Idea (Pattern) Generator - by Daniel Lim" go to http://designjournalsos.blogspot.com/2011/01/design-pattern-generator-idea-pattern.html