Week 6
This was a big week of experiments, I began testing the physical elements that will be added to my project. I started by researching the steps to make my own notebooks, screen printing and embossing. This was followed by an expensive trip to Spotlight to purchase my supplies, which includes: stylus, awl, stringing twine, cutting mat, craft knife, cotton tote bags, hole punch, stencil material and paper of different weights. I already owned the screen printing kit so I could begin my experiments when I got home.
Sites used to research:
First experiment: Creating a Stencil
I started by sketching out a Knot character on the stencil material, then cut it out using the craft knife. When doing this process I realised that I couldn't cut out the lines of the Knot, I could only cut out the spaces around them. This meant that when I went to paint the stencil I wouldn't be colouring in the lines of the Knot as originally planned. Figure 2 shows a series of images showcasing my process and the final result.
Figure 2: Stencil Experiment
Second Experiment: Embossing
The next step was embossing the paper to create a unique way to display the title 'HumourMe'. For this I needed cardboard, paper, stylus, craft knife, and a light source (iPad). I cut out my word, placed it under my paper, and traced the words with a stylus. Depending which side I placed the cardboard wording, the emboss could face outwards or inwards (Figure 3). When doing this I needed to use a light hand to not break the paper, It was better to go over the wording lightly and continuously.
Figure 3: Embossing the Paper
Third Experiment: Screen Printing
The third step was use a screen print technique to create a second form of stencil for the Knot character. This process included drawing my desired stencil with drawing fluid, and covering that with screen filler, that allowed me to wash out the original stencil to paint. This first experiment was a little bit of a failed attempt, I didn't create a thick enough layer of the screen filler so the paint went through areas it wasn't meant to (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Screen Print Fail
Fourth Experiment: Stencil and Emboss on Kraft Bags
Next, I created another stencil with the stencil material, for this one I focused on creating smoother edges and corners. I then used painters tape and a small paint roller to paint over the stencil and create a clean square. I tested creating an indented HumourMe using the embossing technique I practiced earlier. When I removed the stencil some paint had creeped under the stencil and I needed to fix that after with white paint (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Stencil and Emboss Practice
Fifth Experiment: Creating a Notebook
Creating a notebook was a fun process I had never done before, and the process was a lot easier than I expected. Figure 6 shows my process of creating the first notebook, firstly I used an awl to puncture holes in to the spine of the paper and then stitched in the binding with a needle and thread. I really like the final product, and for the high fidelity prototype I will be using thicker paper to create a more luxurious feel. Figure 7 shows the second notebook I made, this one uses a spiral binding that I made from wrapping wire around a pencil, when the book was finished I decided I need a thicker wire and pencil. Making this change will create a cleaner opening for the book, currently the pages get caught on each other when you open the book. This book also shows one of my design ideas to create a layered cover that hides the knot character on the first page. This concept encourages the idea that someones anxiety is not the first thing you see, and you need to dig a little deeper to see and understand it.
Figure 6: Needle and String Notebook
Figure 7: Spiral Notebook
Sixth Experiment: Attempting Screen Printing Again
attemptsIKraft
Figure 8: Screen Printing Tests
Over the next week I will continue to work towards making the high fidelity prototypes and finishing the digital sketches.
