DNA

As part of my research i have began to look at natural forms, after one of the sessions with Richard Sweeney i was inspired to look at DNA and the different shapes. 


I really like the pattern of the double helix and the contours that it forms. I think id be able to manipulate paper using the pleating technique to resemble these shapes. 

With this sort of design i will be able to create lots of different shadows making my pieces more interesting and giving them more depth.

Most of the double helix's i have looked at are made up of 2 colours, i will definitely incorporate this into my designs.

I'm going to research these more and see if there are any other exciting forms of DNA that i can find to inspire me.

(images from google images)

Rob Ryan

I have seen Robert Ryan's work around before but only as prints, i had never imagined it to be formed from paper cuts. It seems so intricate and detailed its quite amazing how his designs are created, such as the ones below;

These designs contain so much detail, and after just a few sessions with Richard Sweeney I can fully appreciate how difficult it can be. He must have a lot of patience to create such exciting designs.

The messages in his designs are quite subtle but once you pick them out, are very effective. 

They all seem to tie in together, sort of motivational messages that most people can relate to. This makes his designs appeal to more audiences which is always good.

Even though this piece is only a pale cut out, the choice of background really brings out the details and shapes. There are so many possibilities with these designs, changing the contrast of the colours to create a more striking effect.

I really like the way the cut outs are just placed on backgrounds so there is a slight shadow enhancing some of the contours.

http://www.misterrob.co.uk/?page_id=1024

Primary Research

I've been looking for some examples of repetition in the environment, these photos are just a few things that i have noticed and think i could reflect the patterns in my designs.

On my way into uni i noticed this plant. I really like the way the leaves spray out and think something like this could work well using paper.

This is a pattern on my ceiling that i noticed when i woke up. The curtains created this pattern from the sun shining through my window. 

Im not sure how something like this could be transferred into a paper design but i thought it was a good form of the natural repetition with the lines formed.

Second Sweeney Session

This week we were shown how to create paper models using the method of pleating and then folding. I really enjoyed this method because it created something quite exciting with great shapes. Also the paper has loads of possibilities as the pleats make it a bit more flexible.

As it was a small piece of paper the folds were not as clean as i would have liked them to be.

 The next method i tried was scoring the paper and slicing around the shapes.

I think these pieces would look better all built up. I really like the shapes but on their own but i think more of them would give a better look. Also they are not as effective from the back and as our final outcome has to be visually pleasing from all sides something would need to be added.

Richard Sweeney Workshop 29/01/11

I really enjoyed the Richard Sweeney workshop, With his experience he helped us make some interesting pieces, which i didn't think could be created out of just one a5 sheet of paper! 

One of his designs that really inspired me was this one;

I like the way it looks like its all folding in on itself, also that its so intricately designed that it doesn't even look like paper anymore!


http://www.richardsweeney.co.uk/paper.html

I experimented at first with the different ways Richard showed us including scoring, slicing and ripping. These are some of my first attempts;

This is one of the pieces that i experimented with scoring, I think this is an interesting technique however i did not finish it as a proper design, i would like to experiment with this method further.

I then moved on to a different method where i chose a spot to cut creating a small slit. I then sliced the paper into different slits and folded then into the same slit, in different directions and angles.

This was just a random method however after a few different pieces i found that however many times i did it i came out with a different design, some more stylish than others.

After this session i can see how much time and patience is needed to create pieces like Richards, which just makes me appreciate his work more!