Rose Carter-Stout

Unit 3: context 1: Primary research, Appendix

5 . Appendix

I also emailed Laser Cut It, Cut Laser Cut, and Blueprint with an introduction of who I am with a couple of initial questions but did not receive any responses..

Correspondence with RazorLab

Date 14th April 2012

Hello,

I’m currently a first year student at Camberwell Collage of Arts. I have been set a primary research essay on the laser cutter and I am wondering if you could help me out.  What are your clients most popular choice of materials to be used on the laser cutter as well as a few of the most uncommon and bazaar? What materials do you use and what sort of things do you cut out on the laser cutter, and anything else that may be of interest. 

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Unit 3: context 1: Primary research, Critical Analysis of Primary research

After doing some secondary research on the Internet and reading articles, I discovered that there is a considerable diverse range of work being made by the laser cutter, even though it is still a relatively new technology.    “Laser technology is a very young technology which has not even reached an age of 40 years. For a long time it has been a development, searching for industrial applications.” (R. Radovanovic, 2010).  Whilst a new technology, some people argue that it takes away the sense of ‘making’ for the designer, although it is one of the most superior workshop machines.

Charles L Caristan wrote  “Laser cutting is receiving much attention and continuously winning market share away from traditional processes. Various explanations can be offered for the justification of this success. However it appears that they all point to the mystic forces of light radiation” [2004, page 4] He went on to say “Increasingly metal cutting is being performed with industrial lasers …. new product design ideas that were not possible or too costly with traditional cutting processes  are now feasible” [2004, pg 29]

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Unit 3: context 1: Primary research, Primary Research

I first came across Tatty Devine, a jewelry design company, at the Saatchi Gallery shop. After visiting the Tatty Devine shop in East London, I recognised that the laser cutter provided  an effective and efficient way to manufacture exact replicas of the quirky designs, needed for their jewelry (See Image 1).  Tatty Devine employ their own designers and also manufacture and retail their own products, cutting out the middleman.

When thinking about which designers would use laser cutters as part of their design process, it was apparent that it is more likely to be students and architects who sub contract to laser cutting companies, such as 4D Workshop and Razorlab, to produce one off designs.  However all types of people have walked through the doors of these workshops, including electricians and model train hobbyists.  This evidences the versatility of a laser cutter.

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Unit 3: context 1: Primary research, Introduction

1. Introduction

The focus of this research is of the laser cutter in contempory practice. Although Albert Einstein theorized the principle of the laser cutter in 1917, it was not until 1965 the Western Electronic Engineering Research Centre made the first laser cutter to drill holes in diamond dies.  The laser cutter is now a familiar and often used piece of equipment in most secondary schools and university’s Design and Technology workshops. Although the machines context is usually a workshop, more and more companies such as 4D Workshop, will cut out products for the everyday person at a price making it a very lucrative business.

There are many advantages to the laser cutter, some of its assets are its accuracy, uniformity, the time it takes to cut out the material and the high quality finish it leaves the cut surface. I will consider these advantages and more through my primary research and also in my secondary research

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These are what I made in the crochet workshop at uni. I wanted to experiment with different material other than yarn. Once I got home I found some Pink plastic ribbon, it was tricky to work with, however the end result of how it stretches is very unusual. I am pleased with what I have made and enjoyed the day.   

Song Dong: Waste Not

Wow. What a sad and personal exhibition, but also to see how people cope with the loss of a loved one. I spend hours looking at every piece rammed into the exhibition, thinking of storys as to why or what the object was for. 

For the Brockwell Lido Modern Movement, we made a Zoetrope, one a history of the lido and one the lido of today. 

For the Brockwell Lido Modern Movement, we made a Zoetrope, one a history of the lido and one the lido of today. 

A little gem this find at the Rossana Orlandi. 

http://www.rossanaorlandi.com/

Image 1 - Crate Collection, by Garth Roberts. The contraste between the old crates and the pristine mirrored acrylic, as well as the different colours of mirrored works well as a whole collection. 

Image 2 - Dd [David design], although a classic design, what makes this chair for me is the choice of material, demonstrating the importance of the material, how it can make or break a piece.  

Image 3 & 4- Animal Sculptures by Benedetta Mori. These extraordinary primal forms, show no internal structure portray the beauty of nature, caged within the chicken wire. 

Image 5- One of the best things about this exhibition is that, the products are not placed within a pristine exhibition, but in contrast of this old rustic Italian house.  

Image 6 & 8 - 1616/ Arita Japan, by Teruhiro Yanagihara. The soft pastal colour tea set, are emphasised by the bright coloured flowers. Very traditional shapes its an important learning curve of how to exhibit and present my work. 

Image 7 - These titanium pots by SULS, the earthly matt colours made it so unexpected that they were made from Titanium. 

Image 9 - A shop in the gallery, these paper like bags, look so fragile, but apparently are extremely strong

Image 10 - Object placed in resin as the table top, this beautiful victorian like table by was  one of my favourite pieces in the gallery. 

MOST - Museum of science and Technology. 

A prime example of how the design festival takes over the whole of milan. At a place where old locomotives and fighter jets are mixed with contemporary design. Here is a selection of just a few of the things that were on show is this gigantic museum. 

Image 1 - A collection of wooden spoons, after doing a work shop with Nick Webb, I have become very interested in the different varieties 

Image 2- A fighter Jet.

Image 3- The devils Pets by Thorunn Arnadottir. An unexpected object, the wax looks like a friendly cat and once the candle has been alight it shows the devil cat. 

Image 4- Time Clocks by Michiko Shimada, One word Cleaver. 

Image 5 - Ideas for a european chair. All these chairs were designed for the Caiazza Memorial Challenge. 

Image 6- A quirky table that was just placed there, shame there is not the name of the designer. 

Image 7- A cannon with in a boat in the museum. 

Image 8- A backwards chair, after looking at chairs that all have a similar back its great to see something a bit different. 

Image 9 - Borghese by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance. A wonderful example of how the furniture works well with the existing museum. 

Image 10 - A wonderful Chair designed for the Caiazza Memorial Challenge. This was my favorite although sadly I could not find out who designed it. I love the tall shape leaning to one side.