concept 2 - Ying Yang

I decided to have fun with a well known symbol and create a 2 sided ying yang ball

concept final 1 (project 3)

the president image of a square like oriented pattern which consists of 3dish receptive lines

my concept 3D version which resembles a chineese lanturn (to scale 30mm by 30mm by 30mm)

Final Model (Photo)

Unfortunately with the construction of this model it seams that the gap between the centre circle and the edge was too close with the thin X pieces and they snapped while I was trying to place them correctly (ironically they snapped perfectly into four pieces so I just went with it and created more detail in the centre)

 

I used three pieces of card for each slot to make it thicker and also to make it look unique (everyone else is using thin connections so I wanted to be different) but you do need to be a bit careful when handling the real thing, it moves easily (mainly the top piece) and I'm scared that something else may snap

Final Model (Render)

I decided to do the final construction, layout and render with Solid Works (I can get a better look with it)

 I decided to use the glass mapping to get the same feal with the real model and also create awesome effects where you can see through different parts to see detail underneath.

Concept 5 (final look decided)

With my fifth concept I decided to go back to the circular layered look that resembled the original model. (I think this one is going to be my final as well)

I used two thin X pieces for the centre and kept them in line between the two ends, I also made a top piece which stands out above the top end piece to give it more hierarchy.

The joints are going to be only at the sides (all four except for the top piece which will have two on the inside of the circle piece)

Concept 4

With this concept I decided to continue experimenting with the centre joint and start abstracting the look from the original model.

 

While keeping the layering effect I decided to try and see what it would look like more block than circular. I still used side connections but only sketched them rather than actually render them in one of my computer concepts. the only connection I experimented with in the computer model was the centre one (I still separated the parts that were to be joined by other means though in order to get a feeling of the look)

I must admit that this dose look rather unique but I don't really like it, it's too far from the look of the origional model and I'd rather not use a centre connection in my model if I can help it (I like the look of a open circle in the centre)

Concept 3

with this concept I began to experiment with the placement of the centre pieces and different ways to place them

I used four of the thin X pieces for the centre and rotated them each to make a star shape in the centre, then I sandwhiched them togeather with two thick X pieces

 For the connection I decided to try out the whole pipe in the centre thing that seems rather common, It worked out ok but or some reason I seem to prefer the slot look on the sides rather than just one huge center piece joint (makes it look more fun to put togeather and also keeps the centre piece open)

Concept 2

I tried to go into more detail and simplicity with the parts but stick to the layering (it looked good and kept it similar to the origional model) I also started concepting with the look of the actual material to be used (acrylic)

 

I tried adding more layers (keeping the basic round X shape) and layered them on top of each other (big then small, like a sandwhich) 

In the centre of this concept is two pieces which are no more than a dis connected cross. this was a cool look as it brought more detail to the centre of the model. I still have a lot to do but I've found a simple look that works, all I need to do is keep experimenting with it

first concept

With my 1st concept, I made split excursions in the chosen model (to create different parts) and tried to see how I could get the different plains on top of each other as part of the construction

 

I then attempted to add joints in the basic four corners between each part in order to see how effective it would look

 

I do realise it's a bit hard to see with the light making everything all white but if you look closely between the gaps, you can see these little joints connecting each layer 

Concepts and start modle

start of project two and I decided to make an entirely new base model to use for this project rather than use one of my previous ones from the first project

I made this while experimenting with different excursions on a sphere on Solid Works (this was the grand creation, it kind of looks like an X button on a game controller without the massive paint job)
when I saw this result, the ideas on how to make this a construction model came instantly and so I began to sketch and create on Solid Works different ideas on how to make parts and put them together.