A study on the design principle of rhythm based on chosen natural object.
project one
natural object
Fiddlehead Fern
What is a fiddlehead fern?
The fiddlehead fern is a furled frond that can be found in young ferns. Often harvested and consumed as nutritious greens, these spiraled fronds are common plants of shaded damp forests in temperate and tropical zones. They can be found in North America, Oceania, South Asia, as well as Southeast Asia.
Reason for selection, and its relativity with rhythm
The fern's spiral embodies a rhythmic flow of movement towards the center. Movement in time becomes faster as it approaches the core of the fiddlehead fern due to the closer and tighter spaces that surround it.
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A smaller variation of ferns that forms the spiral shape of the frond. The closer the small ferns are towards the center, the smaller they become, vice versa. Thus, creating a progressive rhythm.
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The unity of opposites can be defined by the spaces between the element and a void. The void as a negative space, while the element as a positive space. Hence, this variation of spaces produces an alternating rhythm.
Reference to precedent studies carried out for the project's design.
Precedent Studies
The flowing rhythm of the mist, with its alternated positioning was an inspiration.
The connection between both spirals produces a rhythmic flow from one to the other.
The flowing rhythm of the mist, with its alternated positioning was an inspiration.
Several development processes are made to explore and experiment with the abstraction of the natural element, as well as to understand and implement the design principle of rhythm.
Development Progress
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1. Initial sketch
2. Added more curved
elements and altered the
rotation and position of
the elements
3. Thicker outline and more
2-dimensional design
5. Designing individual
element. However, it is
less of an abstraction.
Variation 1
4. Defining the difference the
negative and positive
spaces
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6. Intricate details added.
However, likewise with
number 5, the design is
less of an abstraction.
Variation 2
7. Variation 1 and 2 are produced. Variation 2 is favoured
8. Variation 2 is then re-developed and re-designed.
Finally, the draft model is created.
The final model was created on a 400mm x 400mm mounting board.
The product is to fit the 300mm X 300mm specification with an additional 100mm x 100mm border.
Final Model
