I already know how to use most of the tools and those that I don’t I will experience through my prototype as well as consulting Miss Brett and research.
∙ COST?
Depends on the cost of recycled materials I wish to use. Finance Plan.
∙ TIME?
Action and Time Plan.
Project Management:
Action/Time Plan:
Note: variations have occurred due to other projects taking longer than their allocated designs.
Financial Plan:
Note: The above spreadsheet has formulas inserted to each cell for automatic calculations.
23/06/02
I spent over my intended budget by $03.30. This I do not see as a significant problem. The reason that I went over budget was that I bought a paper crafts book to help me with the decoupage’ and I believe it will help me with many projects to come.
Identification and Justification of the Use of Other Resources.
For this project and the particular way in which I chose to construct this clock I was extremely lucky to be benefited with the knowledge of how to use the timber cutting and sanding equipment. However the skill of decoupage was one I still had to achieve. I was lucky enough to have Miss Brett provide some scrap pieces of timber left over from previous work done by design and technology students. I researched my theme, which was a retro style. I wanted something different to everybody else’s, as this was my project. I soon found clock ideas on the Internet and used them as my inspiration. Finding these was a great help. They helped me create an innovative design.
Research:
DECOUPAGE
Deriving from the French verb decoupage, meaning to cut out. Decoupage is a way of decorating almost any object or surface with cut out pieces of paper. The raw materials are all very easy to find, for example: magazines, greeting cards, wrapping paper, postcards and illustrated catalogues.
Surfaces for decoupage need to be clean, dry and smooth.
Lightly sand wood surfaces, then wipe with white spirit (paint thinner), porous surfaces should be sealed with matt emulsion (latex) paint.
I did not encounter many problems in the making of the clock. Not any significant problems. The only problem I did encounter was the black numbers and hands of the clock, I found you could not clearly see them so I used red paint and brushed it over them. The only other problem was that I did not know at one stage what I was going to use to connect the pieces together.
THE 70’S
The seventies were a very hip and happening time, when fashion and design were at a peak. Some of the most peculiar yet interesting objects came out of this era. I have just included some pictures as an example of what I mean by ‘retro’ design.
Research
The following research has been carried out: -
1. Research of literature:
I made reference to many books about clocks to make sure that this had not been done before. There were slight comparisons but nothing great. A number of ideas and technical information had been included in this section as well as technical information. I also made reference to decoupage books and to books about woodwork. I made reference to the woodwork books for more information about the machinery.
-
Testing and experimentation of materials, tools, techniques and other resources:
∙ Decoupage was tested to see if it would be durable enough to be used for a clock
Face.
∙ Drilling a hole for the clock mechanism to fit through was done as a test so that I
knew there would not be a problem.
∙ Sanding the timber on flat surfaces because timber had drawings all over
It eliminated all signs that the plywood was recycled.
∙ Cutting with the saw to get their shapes.
∙ Testing for varnish technique so no lines would appear on the finished product
was completed before the first varnishing on any parts took place.
∙ Testing of nailing plywood to back supporting piece also took place.
- Observations and Consultations with experts:
When I first received this project I decided on the theme of the 70’s retro design. I then took myself as soon as I could to Newtown for this is a place where retro is a theme of many stores. I was Unfortunately I was unable to take photos of most of the stores because I was asked not to, so I respected that. After going to Newtown I had an instant idea of talking to a designer who was designing in the 70’s. It was then that I phoned my uncle Terry Doyle and asked him what it was like to design during the seventies. He told me that it was the seventies that bought his products to the market for he said to me had bold ideas, which many did not necessarily like. However because everyone became more accepting of new ideas and thoughts, his ideas were now accepted and he had become a hit. He told me that the seventies was the best era. He said he absolutely loved it. So my idea had to be bold, however not to bold.
Experimentation & Testing
Test # 1
- Aim: -
Testing for varnish technique so no lines would appear on the finished product. The sample was completed before the first varnishing on the final pieces took place. Decoupage was tested to see if it would be durable enough to be used for a clock
face.
(ii) Method: -
DECOUPAGE
Sealing
Step 1
Before cutting out an image, it is a good idea to seal it with a coat of shellac. All pictures benefit from this treatment. Shellac also stiffens delicate images, making them easier to cut out and prevents discolouration.
Cutting Out
Step 1
Cut out shapes roughly using large scissors, leaving a generous margin around the image.
Step 2
Cut around the edge of the image with a smaller pair of scissors. Always use a ruler to tear strait edges.
Gluing Images in Position
Step 1 arranges the cut out images on the background surface. Using small proportions of low tack re-usable adhesive allows you to experiment with different arrangements without damaging or wasting the images.
Step 2
When you are happy with the arrangement, glue the images to the background using PVA (white) glue diluted with a little water. You can also use wallpaper paste allowing you to easily slip the images into their position.
Step 3
When images are in position press down and rub over them with your fingers or a soft cloth to get rid of any bubbles or excess glue. Rub of any excess glue with a cloth. Allow to dry.
Varnishing
Step 1
Varnish the finished decoupage to protect it. Apply up to 12 coats of clear varnish, lightly sanding between each coat once it has dried in a dust free environment.
(iii) Results: -
No lines appeared on the sample and the face of the clock proved to be durable.
- Conclusions: -
The test showed that the varnishing technique worked well and that the face was durable enough, leading me to the conclusion that decoupage would be extremely suitable for this project.
Test # 2
(i) Aim: -
Drilling a hole for the clock mechanism to fit through was done as a test so that I
Knew there would not be a problem.
-
Method: -
Step 1 Turn drill on (green button), Place timber directly under drill so that your circle is aligned with the drill.
Step 2 Place your hand on the drill and gradually pull down.
Step 3 As soon as you feel it go through. Then simply pull the device up opposite to the direction you pulled it down).
Step 4 Turn off drill (red button) and remove your piece of timber. Done
- Results: -
The hole did not align correctly so I tried again and realised how to do it correctly.
- Conclusions: -
Learnt correct way to drill the hole.
Test # 3
- Aim: -
Sanding the timber on flat surfaces because timber had drawings all over
It eliminated signs that the plywood was recycled.
- Method: -
Step 1 Turn on sander and sawdust vacume. (Flick switch)
Step 2 Place sander against timber and begin to understand the technique.
Step 3 Once completed sanding simply slide the timber off.
Step 4 Turn off equipment.
- Results: -
The sander worked as I wished it to in erasing the patterns on the plywood.
- Conclusions: -
The sanding proved to be a great way of erasing the patterns that existed on the ply before I received it. This is how I will get erase all designs on all of them.
Test # 4
- Aim: -
Cutting the plywood with the saw to get the correct shapes.
- Method: -
Step 1 Mark out in pencil the intended shape to be cut out.
Step 2 Place plywood and safety guard in position.
Step 3 Turn on machine at switch.
Step 4 Start cutting the plywood following the marked line.
Step 5 When finished simply turn of the machine and remove the plywood.
- Results: -
I found the Jig-saw quite easy to use and had no problems cutting the wood. The only problem I did encounter was that the blade was bent however I learnt how to use it like this. All I had to do was put the plywood on an angle.
- Conclusion: -
I am going to use the machine for cutting the plywood to shape. This will allow me a greater degree of accuracy.
Test # 5
- Aim: -
Test stapling of plywood to back supporting piece, hopefully it will be a success.
- Method: -
Step 1 Place the supporting piece to the back of the clock face.
Step 2 Hold firmly and staple together.
Step 3 Once nailed in completely test how strong the hold is.
- Results: -
The pieces hold firmly. Hard to break. Only breaks with a fair amount of force. This is good because it is just what I need.
- Conclusion: -
Stapling the pieces proves to be a good way to hold the backing and the face together. Because of the strength it is the idea I will use.
Ongoing Evaluation:
23rd / 05th/02
Today I searched the house for unwanted materials. Found only old wrapping paper; have not looked through it yet. Will do so soon.
24th /05th /02
Today I went to Newtown and I a spent the day looking for recycled pieces to make my clock. I found a record, which I am going to use for the back of the clock. I will have to however experiment on making the hole in the centre of the record larger, so that I can fit the clock mechanism through it. I also bought an old clock to use as an example and to use pieces from it.
For this project and the particular way in which I chose to do this clock I was extremely lucky to be benefited with the knowledge of how to use the timber cutting and sanding equipment. However the skill of decoupage was one I still had to achieve. I was lucky enough that Miss Brett had some scrap pieces of timber left over from previous work done by design and technology students. I researched a theme that was a retro style; I wanted something different to everybody else's so this was the project for me. I soon found clock ideas on the Internet and used them as my inspiration. Finding these was a great help. They helped me create an innovative design.
28th/05th/02
This pattern was the major inspiration to my whole design. It features squares in the way in which I created my clock. I was then going to create squares just like these and so I searched through my mums wrapping paper collection and I found one which would be perfect. So I adapted it to my design and I was away. With the design process underway I was nearly finished and only one minor problem was stopping me as to how to join the squares. This would be a great area for investigation.
What was I going to use to join these slightly out of shaped squares together?
What kind of adhesive or nail was I to use to then join these pieces to the plywood? The plywood is recycled scrap from the year sevens work. This plywood then has the pattern decoupage sealed to it and this would be the square/rectangle. The back of the ply is where I wanted to fix whatever I was to use to join the square/rectangles together.
I also researched about decoupage and this enabled me to understand the technique and how to complete this section of a clock. I wrote up an experiment to which this will be what I will do with apiece before I try it on the other projects.
I made reference to many clock books to make sure that this had not been done before. There were slight comparisons but nothing great. A number of ideas and technical information have been included in this section as well as technical information. I also made reference to decoupage books and to books about woodwork. I made reference to the woodwork books for more information about the machinery.
When I first received this project I decided on the theme of the 70’s retro design. So I took myself as soon as I could to Newtown for this is a place where retro is a theme of many stores, I went to the stores and unfortunately I was unable to take photos of most of the stores because they asked n me not to, so I respected that. After going to Newtown I had an instant idea of talking to a designer who was designing in the 70’s.
It was then that I phoned my uncle Terry Doyle and asked him what it was like to design during the seventies. He told me that it was the seventies that brought his products to the market for he had bold ideas, which many did not like. But because everyone became more accepting of new ideas and thoughts, his ideas were now accepted and had become a hit. He told me that the seventies was the best era. He said he absolutely loved it. So my idea had to be bold, however not to bold.
05th/06th0/02
Today I began to sand the wood and to cut it to shape all is working well so far I have only encountered one problem. This is that the blade I am using to cut my plywood with is bent I have now practiced enough and know how to use it well.
23/06/02
I spent over my intended budget by $05.80. This I do not see as an extremely bad problem. The reason that I went over the budget was that I bought a paper crafts book to help me with the decoupage’ and I believe it will help me with many projects to come.
Evaluation:
I believe that this project has been extremely effective at enabling me to show my skills in another field of design; I am very pleased with the end product and find that it is what I wanted from the very beginning. I used many recycled materials, making this clock out of recycled materials that shows with a little more thought involved in the design we are protecting our environment.
I used all sorts of items from all sorts of places; I acquired items from op shops, my household and from the school. I found that the seventies was a very interesting Idea and that it was a great inspiration for bold ideas. Some ideas that I put forward were not liked however this is part of a design process, a selecting design, which the consumer would like to buy. In my project proposal I said that I wanted to tone down the colours of the 70’s however when I made a selection on the wrapping paper there was no need, for the colours were not so vibrant, however very effective.
I looked at the idea of recycling old clocks and reviving them into the modern age, however this Idea was not as successful as I had planned for two of my initial ideas had clashed. One being to make out there different design and the other to make a clock out of an old clock. To make a clock, that I could not see myself using. I then considered adopting postmodernism to this idea, however not as successful as I believed it could be. So I ended up sticking with the design.
I had an understanding that not every thing was going to be able to be recycled so the things that are not recycled are materials used for decoupage, and for painting and the clock mechanism however the remainder completely recycled.
My time and action plan was not adhered to completely, however I am becoming more reliant on it as an organiser and I believe as I do this I will only improve on the matter. However I do believe I did very well this time around at organising my self with nearly the entire portfolio finished a week before its due date with only the ongoing evaluation to finish.
The finance plan really helped me to keep myself to a budget and I gave myself a budget of 50 dollars. I however am beginning to understand the budget slightly.
I use a variety of recourses. I went to New town, which indeed has many retro influenced shops, and got some ideas I from books borrowed from the library, used the Internet and even questioned a clock maker, if my design was appropriate.
My research included a questionnaire, survey and an observation. The questionnaire was about clock making and about the limitations I had, the survey was to the consumer to see if this clock would be appropriate for sale in a retail shop, and of a clock maker observing the techniques and skills in which professionals used to build clocks.
My ideas were simply ideas of things, which popped into my head, and I quickly drew concepts. Concept sketches were simply an organised way for me to express my ideas to the customers and for them to understand what I was doing.
Technical drawings assisted me when I was making the clock I used these to look back on when I may have forgotten where I was during my design process.
Experiments allowed me to play around with my ideas and to find out what was going to be successful. I used experiments such as drilling a hole for the clock mechanism, sanding, cutting wood and decoupage the wrapping paper to the plywood.
I tested whether I should use certain adhesives to join the pieces together.
