Project Summary

This project was definitely the most challenging project for me thus far. I had no idea how to build a vessel, how to work with wood, how to use a band-saw, band-sander, and many other things. I did not have a clue where to start. Thank goodness for the men in the work shop because they helped guide me throughout my entire process. My main weakness was having no prior knowledge of building a vessel before this project. I was sick one day and it put me way behind resulting in me having to rush pieces of my skull, which made me pretty sad. If I were to do this again, I would be able to understand the tools and the amount of time needed and therefore, would have a better hand-made box. I ended up being able to handle the band-saw pretty well. I'm glad that I have now learned how to work these power tools and can say I made the box all on my own!

Nature and Aesthetics of Design Reflection

In reading this design article, it makes me realize that there is a common misconception among the current society that "cheaper is better" but that is often not the case. Consumers may want things cheaper in price, yet not cheaper in quality. Sometimes things deserve to be made properly, to be long lasting, and to cost a little more. This article really makes one think and break down the properties of the materials we use when we want to create something. We are no longer limited when we want to waste, form, caste, or construct. The one limitation that we have not fully surpassed is the processing of materials, or altering it's properties. For instance, the article uses the examples of making fibre out of glass or making cement out of mud. This is an interesting claim for once thought about, one realizes how true the statement is. We are obliged to take things out of nature as we find them and them improvise a way to alter them ourselves. The article mentions how the aim of design is to promote human happiness and every human's happiness is different.

Vessel Purpose Statement

For my vessel, I finally decided to construct a skull-shaped box which would hold cosmetics. It would serve as a mini-vanity, containing mainly make-up on the inside. The inside of the lid has a mirror that sits nicely in the base of the container in order for the user to be able to look into the mirror and put on make-up without holding it. The idea of my vessel content's being make-up may sound superficial, however, it has much more of an underlying value. It represents my passion for decor, style, fashion, and design. Makeup has always been something I enjoy playing with, sharing with my friends, and is something fun to experiment with and try new ideas with. I chose the skull container for many reasons. My sister and I share the same strange obsession with skulls, sugar skulls or Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) skulls, in particular. Dia De Los Muertos is a mexican holiday for friends and family to gather in order to honor and pray for their friends and ancestors who have died. It is a very colorful and decorated holiday. Although I do not share this Mexican heritage, I am very fascinated and appreciative of this beautiful holiday. Therefore, the top of my box has the face of a skull, more specifically a sugar skull, with a decorated face: an upside-down heart for a nose, keyholes for eyes, and other decorative elements. I plan to make this vessel as a gift for my sister for her birthday, for I know she is someone who will use it properly, take care of it, and be equally appreciative of it as I am.

Creating a Vessel Project Description

For the “Designing a Vessel” project, the class was instructed to create a vessel of importance to us. It would contain something significant and the design of the box would reflect it’s content(s). The box was to be made out of wood and had to have some type of lid. The class altogether went down to the workshop where we received a lesson on how to use various tools necessary for the construction of our vessels; such as the band-saw, sander, glue, wood, etc. After the lesson, we were able to experiment on the machines before starting on our actual vessel. Though word maps, word lists, sketches, orthogonal drawings, and models, we were to determine the model of our final vessel, created out of wood, made in the Art and Design workshop.