Spiral Clock

Intention

Write about the big ideas behind your project? What are the goals? Why did you make it? What are your motivations?

My intention is to create a design for a clock that breaks the normal barriers of a traditional clock. A normal clock is a circular shape with the numbers at the border of the circle. My clock will attempt to break away from this style.  

Research & Context

[How does your outcome relate to other work in the field? What makes it similar or different to other objects of the same genre? How have other objects failed to solve the problem you have identified?]

I researched modern clocks and observed how many of them are minimalist and break down a clock to its very essence, without any over elaborate decorations. Many of them aren’t perfect circles with numbers along the edge and vary in shape and number placement. There are some modern clocks that have no numbers at all and even some that have them randomly placed as an aesthetic design.

Sketch

[Include sketch with as much details as possible, like: approximate dimensions, materials, layers, textures, colors, and aesthetic influences.]

Aesthetic & Inspiration

[What influenced your design? Is there a specific style, art movement, or natural phenomena? Include at least one example. Can be a still image, video, or music.]

My design is inspired by a modern and surrealist style. It takes some influence from Salvador Dali, as well as Tim Burton. My design is based along one string-like piece that loops around in circles with the numbers attached to them.  

Process & Procedure

[Outline your approach to the project. What steps did you take to design, model, sketch, and prototype this projects? What ideas did you generate and how did you refine or reject them? How did you use cutting, etching, scoring? What challenges were encountered and how did you resolve them? Include photos of prototypes, redesigned sketches, design worksheets, and failed trails.]

I first researched many clocks to get inspiration, as I have never designed a clock before. Once I had an idea, I sketched several variations on the clock until I had a design that I really liked. When modelling the clock, I ran into a few issues and tweaked the design slightly so that it would be possible to laser cut the design. I then cut the main piece of the clock out of a six millimeter wood and the numbers out of a three millimeter acrylic. The first time I cut the wood piece it got a little burnt and messed up in some areas and a few of the acrylic numbers broke so I had to cut them out again.

[Two renderings on complete project styled with finished background, lighting, positioning, reflection]

[Five semi-professional photos with care given to context, lighting, staging, scene]

[Reflect on the process of making this project. What did you learn? What would you do differently?]

I learned how to use the laser cutter and could now use them much easier. In the beginning, I felt lost and wasn’t sure what to do but by the end, I was able to use them without any struggle. I also learned how to use Fusion and how to import DXF files into Illustrator. One thing I would do differently is plan more for potential difficulties with materials.