Exercise: Maquette¶
A maquette is a preliminary model used for exploring a sculptural idea. The overall goal of this multi-part exercise is to create and perform a kinetic maquette exploring critical aspects of your mobility concept. This goal might also be described as a proof-of-concept test, although the scope may include elements of form which go beyond strictly technical testing.
The overall inquiry remains the same: identifying a novel mode of expressive mobility which can be rendered using a machine. The focus is on form and dynamic movement rather than gesture or overt interaction.
Exercise: Maquette Part 1: Sketch Plan¶
At this point, the simulation studies have produced plausible concepts for expressively mobile machines. The next step is to evaluate their feasibility in physical form.
For this exercise, please hand-draw sketches illustrating the simplest possible device you could make which would answer whether the concept could work in practice.
The specifics will vary considerably. Some general principles to remember:
Focus on identifying and testing the most critical dynamic effect.
Reducing the motion to 2D may be a reasonable simplificaiton.
A reduced scale device may be appropriate for a maquette.
Use laser-cuttable flat pack design principles as much as possible.
3D printing will be available but is disrecommended for most parts.
Try to stick with our typical lab materials and components as much as possible.
A working kinetic maquette may or may not need a motor if it can be puppetted.
If motorized, try to stick with constant power rather than computational control.
You are not obligated to follow through on your existing mobility concept if you decide it doesn’t seem feasible. If you switch, please include a new mobility concept statement and explain how you think it will move.
Deliverables¶
A Google Doc with a brief paragraph describing your maquette concept, submitted to the appropriate shared folder.
Several hand-drawn sketches representing the physical form and components of a practical test machine. Please include enough detail to understand how the device might actually be constructed. It’s premature to use CAD; these are ideas, not designs.
Exercise: Maquette Part 2: Prototype¶
The objective is to fabricate a working maquette in a week which helps answer one or more key questions about the behavior, form, and function of the motion concept.
Materials¶
By definition the maquette is a model with a specific purpose. For large sculptures it may also be constructed at reduced scale. The materials may be chosen pragmatically if the specifics are not with the scope of the inquiry.
With that in mind: cardboard, craft paper, tape, and glue are all potential materials. With these media, joints can be formed from cardboard creases, pins, paperclips.
A maquette may also incorporate ‘found objects’ and ‘ready-mades’, i.e. things you already possess.
For a functional machine, craft materials may not be adequate. The next preferred process is the laser-cutter for we commonly use 6 mm plywood for machines but also acrylic, Yupo, and cardboard. If particular parts need more elaborate form, the IDeATe 3D printer system is also available, but this is disrecommended for rapid iterative prototyping.
We stock several types of small motors which can be powered from a bench supply. For this device it is preferred to avoid the complexity of electronics and computation if possible. But hobby servos need at least a minimal microcontroller setup to operate.
Deliverables¶
Please be prepared to show the maquette and provide a live performance in class.
A Google Doc with a brief paragraph describing your key prototyping discoveries, submitted to the appropriate shared folder.
Short video clip (less than 60 seconds) of maquette performance, uploaded to the Google Shared Drive.