Research + Inspiration
Ever since I moved to Colorado (the first time) I have had a strong emotional connection to the outdoors–specifically the mountains. Climbing, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowboarding are some of my greatest passions (aside from technology of course) and I feel that the opportunity to perform these activities is dwindling before our eyes; especially when it comes to the winter sports. John Muir put it well when he said “The mountains are calling and I must go.” If the snowfall continues to drop then their will be now mountains to go to (at least in the winter).
It is just not supposed to be like this:
While this article is not about US mountain ranges specifically, it does represent a sad prediction of the future of most wintersports.
Over the past couple weeks I started thinking about what I wanted to do for my second grad critique project. Most of the time I’m busy with schoolwork or focusing on finishing project one. However, there are times when I do get a few moments of silence to ponder this next project. Most recently I was driving on highway 25 looking at the front range and an idea dawned on me. How could I use mountain data and 3D printing to visualize an environmental issue? This idea is somewhat similar to that of classmate and I feel that a lot of my inspiration came from her work. However, my intention is to create something vastly different in its affect.
After deciding on a general idea I jumped on my computer to start doing some research on aspects of this idea and topic in general. First I wanted to narrow down the mountain ranges in my search so I looked at mountain ranges of the world and selected the four most prominent in the U.S. That includes The Rockies, The Sierra Nevada, The Cascades, and The Appalachians.
Process
My process for creating the proposal for the second grad critique project was a little bit different than that of the first project. Unlike the idea for the first project, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. This time I wanted to be open to letting the idea show itself to me. With some inspiration coming from assisting in Sustainable Design and one of my classmates’ projects I knew that I wanted to create a piece with environmental context. After I did some research I discovered that this project may in fact be possible as long as I can get the proper historical snowfall data.
Proposal
What
My intention is to 3D print a range of models (between 6 and 12) that show the immense change in snowfall over the past several decades. Using historical data a benchmark of 100% will be established. As the decrease in snowpack/snowfall shows through the years. 2-3 Years will be chosen and models will be printed at a different scale based on the percentage decrease of the snowpack/snowfall.
Why
There is a strong need to discuss the current environmental status of our planet. Snowfall is a measurable statistic that has decreased dramatically over the past several decades. 3D printing models at varying scales based on snowfall percentages will show the decreasing trend and allow individuals to perceive this catastrophe in a way they are not normally accustomed to.
Skills Needed
- Statistical Research (Skill to be improved upon)
- Data Gathering
- 3D Modeling (Skill to be improved upon)
- Blender
- Z-Suite / Cura (Skill to be learned)
- 3D Printing (Skill to be learned and quickly improved upon)
- Zortrax
- TAZ 6
- Ultimaker
- Project Presentation (Skill to be improved upon)
Resources Needed
- Software (Blender, MeshMixer, Z-Suite, Cura (LulzBot + Ultimaker))
- Statistical Data
- Topographical Data
- 3D Printer Filament
Deliverables
- 6-12 3D Models
- 1 Paragraph on Snowfall Data for each range
Sketches
Goals + Schedule
Week 0: | Goals/Tasks: |
2.10.18 |
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2.11.18 |
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Week 1: | Goals/Tasks: |
2.12.18 |
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2.13.18 | Class all day |
2.14.18 |
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2.15.18 | Class all day |
2.16.18 | Grad Critique |
2.17.18 |
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2.18.18 |
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Week 2: | Goals/Tasks: |
2.19.18 |
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2.20.18 | Class all day |
2.21.18 |
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2.22.18 | Class all day |
2.23.18 | Grad Critique |
2.24.18 |
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2.25.18 |
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Week 3: | Goals/Tasks: |
2.26.18 |
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2.27.18 | Class all day |
2.28.18 |
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3.1.18 | Class all day |
3.2.18 | Grad Critique |
3.3.18 |
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3.4.18 |
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Week 4: | Goals/Tasks: |
3.5.18 |
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3.6.18 | Class all day |
3.7.18 |
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3.8.18 | Class all day |
3.9.18 |
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3.10.18 |
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3.11.18 |
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Week 5 | Goals/Tasks: |
3.12.18 |
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3.13.18 |
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3.14.18 |
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3.15.18 |
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3.16.18 | Grad Critique – Project Due |
Reflection
Reflecting upon this second proposal I’m happy to know that my creative ideas are wandering across a few different mediums which I currently feel is beneficial so that I can figure out what I want to specialize in in the future. 3D modeling and printing are practices that I have very little experience in and want to uplevel. Since I know I’m in a safe space where the potential of failure is okay I know that I can dive into something I know very little about in order to potentially create something wonderful and also expand my knowledge in these emerging digital practices.