In the beginning of the class, we were tasked to pick an object, reverse-engineer it and innovate a different production technique to create them.

My chosen object was a metal paper clip and I figured it was made with two components the clippers which were made from metal sheet and spring made by coiling metal wires.

So, I tried to making one at the school's metal workshop combining two components.

The result was a sloppy, semi-functioning metal clip and a whole lot of experience bending, coiling and trimming metal sheets.

Next, I decided to try a different material as using metal would just be re-making my chosen obejct.

So, I went to the ceramics workshop.

Having identified that I like the coiling technique, I decided to try coiling clay around a rod - similarly to the tecnique explored in the metal workshop.

What intrigues me the most from the experiment was the "airiness" quality to the prototype.

The tutor did not buy the ceramics prototype. Feeling stucked, I turned to acrylic and learned about the production technique of Heat Forming Press.

I drafted out a plan for a mould made out of wood to create soft-like texture on a acrylic. The result from this curiousity was a half-completed mould and a burning curiosity of this abandonned question.

However, as half of the mould was already made, I thought it was worth documenting the process!

P.S. looking back, I should have committed to this curiosity. But, well at least it's documented here and I can always revisit!

ⓐ Although my material exploration did not meet the learning requirements of the class, I did learn a lot about production techniques and gained many insights into industrial design.

ⓑ One of the biggest takeaways is the commitment to an idea, no matter how silly it might look at one point. Much like my journey with new digital tools, such as P5.js, the first few steps will never be pretty, and one can only stay positive and embrace that as a part of the process.

ⓒ What I could have done was to give this project more love and patience, have more confidence to seek guidance, and dive deeper into a chosen material or production technique.

The biggest takeaway from this class was observing and being involved in my classmates' process.

One of them is Mila, a friend from my group, who was first intrigued by squeezing polyurethane foam through a mesh, resulting in a visually spiky and soft-textured medium. Using that medium as an expression, she then experimented with colors, resulting in an entire production setup for her product that functions as a sleeve for light bulbs.

Being part of her group for feedback, it was especially satisfying to witness her success after many trials and tribulations. I can remember one of her struggles was figuring out how she could create a dome shape with her coral, which I suggested using a strainer - something I used in exploring with pulp. And that eventually became part of her production technique and process.

While it's frustrating that I could not take this opportunity to the fullest, I was glad that I was able to learn the learning objectives through observing and being involved in my peers' process!

I had an open conversation with my tutors, discussing the frustrations of not meeting the learning objectives through a more personalised experience. They acknowledged the challenges, considering my different design background and education.

The conversation concluded with a commitment to foster a more transparent relationship with them and a mutual agreement to seek additional guidance moving forward.