Here are my ideas and sketches that I came up with before we meet again with our groups on Tuesday...
For the first idea, I am looking to use the tools to create an output and in the latter two ideas, I am interested in the concept and how I can push the tools to create a different and innovative output to represent awareness.
idea number oneI am really interested in learning more about the laser cutter, since I have never used it and/or haven't applied it to anything related in my projects. I would want to explore cutting acrylic, cardboard and thick paper. I want to find a way to use the laser cutter to cut an object, then use the vinyl cutter to somehow decorate them with words/ideas/images. I think that by combining the two tools, that I could get a cool product that is more than just one dimensional.
I would want to create a series. A few ideas I had was to create a way to etch/cut into the material with the laser cutter and finding ways to manipulate natural light coming through the window, or creating coasters for a coffee table that all had one word etched into them and so that they all together could form different versions of sentences (sort of like the fridge word magnets),
idea number twoI am intrigued in centering the idea and focus of my second project towards finding an interesting way to promote awareness about a certain topic. The most apparent idea to me that I'm interested in finding out more about is energy (how to converse, awareness of usage, renewable sources - solar, wind, wave energy facts, etc)
I think that this would be an interesting topic because it is something that everyone is constantly consuming. I would like to promote awareness across the University to students and faculty in ways that are very apparent - like placing vinyl stickers near light switches about how much it costs per hour to light a certain classroom, researching facts how natural lighting helps conserve energy on windows, explore how the solar panels on Lillis help to converse both energy used for light and heat, etc, etc.
I would very much like to explore how to use the vinyl cutter in more interesting ways by finding ways to represent facts and images by playing with the positive and negative space.
Some other ideas are: water conversation, habit destruction, depleting rain forests, comparing research of alcohol/drug use or exercise vs. performance in schoolwork
idea number three
After talking with everyone interested in exploring the tools we have available to us, I pointed out that I was interested in maybe doing a project focusing on creating awareness (since I was bummed that the awareness group got vetoed early on). As we continued talking, both Brad and Joseph were interested in continuing on the idea of their last projects about awareness and Libby was interested in working in a group. All four of us decided that working together on creating awareness on a larger scale rather than one person with one idea and one way of thinking is appealing. I am very interested in working within a close group because I enjoy getting a second opinion and a fresh set of eyes to look at my ideas, as well as having someone to bounce ideas off of.
As a group, we would could either pick one topic and all explore ways of representing awareness in our own different interpretations and creating a large movement across campus and/or Eugene. The second way to approach the group concept would be to all pick different topics and all finding ways to work together to cleverly promote awareness.
I would still want to explore my energy research, but could also use one of the other topics that is listed above under Idea #2.
The thing that would bring us all together on this project is documenting everything we put up in public into a book. We would have the book chronicle all our work in the public environment in a professional representation. We would each have our own chapter within the awareness book that we would have to show for ourselves and as well as have each others work.
I am most excited about the last idea. I would really like to involve myself in something beyond my own personal sphere and work with other students within the class. I think that everyone has really valuable ideas and talents that I could learn and enjoy working with on this final project.
