SD Idea #3- Sculpture

Topic:

For this idea, I would create a mobile sculpture which uses lighting that would be used in a room. Instead of using a traditional light source, this sculpture will be used for the lighting of the room. 

Problem I am Trying to Solve:

I am thinking about conserving energy because we are all prone to being wasteful of almost everything, especially energy. If we could get our light source from an object that may not even have to be plugged into the wall and adds to the total look of a space, I think that would be an interesting project.  I want to show people that lighting can be aesthetically pleasing while still serving a purpose. If I could do that while saving energy, this project will be very fulfilling.

Why I Would Like to Solve This Problem/Issue:

Lights and shadows have always been interesting to me because lights can add to a space or distract the viewers. I think having a light source coming from a piece of art would be very fulfilling because I don't see that and I think many modern homes could actually benefit from this idea. I enjoy art and designing, so I think this project could be nice for me to do because I could be as creative as I want while still serving a purpose and benefiting others. Being wasteful is a problem that we all need to be aware of and I think that this project will help that. I know that I forget to turn off the lights when I am from one room to the other, and I think this sculpture will help seeing that no one would have to turn the lights off.

The Learning Stretch:

I love art and 3D models, but I have no idea about lights and wiring, so I would have to do a lot of research to complete this project. I will have to know how different light bulbs work and how to wire everything together. I will have to learn how to do all of this while still creating something aesthetically pleasing. This project will take a long time because I will have to thoroughly understand how lights work and how to power something while not overusing energy. If I can not figure that out, then the whole purpose of this project will be defeated.

Project Components:

For this project, I would have small models of what I want the sculpture to look like. I want it to move with air circulation so the movement of the sculpture won't be powered by electricity. I want to create a SketchUp model of the model and in a room and render it in 3D studio max to get a feeling of what the ideal look of the sculpture would look like. I will make the actual model be about 3 feet, and create a poster of pictures that show different angles of the sculpture.

Budget:

I think this project will cost between $150-$200 because of the lights I would need, the wiring I would need, and the materials for the actual sculptures.

Possible Problems:

I do not want to electrocute myself while creating this project.

SD Idea #2- New Pointe Shoe

Topic:

There are many different pointe shoes for ballerinas to choose from, but there are a lot of good and bad qualities involved with every type. I want to design a pointe shoe that includes the best features from some of the top types of pointe shoes.

Problem I am Trying to Solve:

It is very hard to find the "perfect" pointe shoe, but I want to make it easier by designing my own shoe that will look the best on various types of dancers. I have personally had a hard time finding the shoe that fits me, and I am still working on finding a shoe that fits me the best. If I could design my own shoe, I could help many other dancers who have still not found a shoe that makes them look as nice of a dancer as they would like. It would incorporate all of the qualities that I personally like in pointe shoes all in one design. To find that "perfect" pointe shoe is one of the struggles that all ballet dancers have to go through.

Why I Would Like to Solve This Problem/Issue:

I would like to solve this problem because it is a very personal problem to me. I do not have the ideal dancer's body so I know how hard it is to feel comfortable for a lot of girls. I also know first hand how it feels to be standing in pointe shoes, and I know how uncomfortable or comfortable they can be. Since I was in crutches twice last year and my foot is not completely healed, I want to be able to find a show that will give me the most support I can get while still being able to use my strength and still grow as a dancer.

The Learning Stretch:

I already know how it feels to be in pointe shoes, but I have never taken a pointe shoe apart and looked how they have been made. I will have to research the anatomical structure of the human body and the foot structure. I will probably have to look into the specific structure of a dancer's body and their foot structure. I will probably look up what scar tissue does to the muscles in the foot and incorporate that research in my design. I will also need to find out exactly what materials are used in pointe shoes and what materials I can personally use to create my product.

Project Components:

In this project, I will include pictures of pointe shoes all in one, taken apart, old and torn, and brand new. I will include drawings of already designed pointe shoes and the new pointe shoes I will design myself. I will include a poster of the elements of a foot, and include how this shoe will fit and mold to that foot. I will create many models and I will make a real pair of the new shoes I design. I could take pictures of the shoes on a real person and include a video of that person dancing in the shoes too.

Budget:

Well I will have to pay for the materials to make models and the real model. I will also have to pay for printing the pictures and designs I will make. I will probably have to buy a couple new pointe shoes to look at and look at the old pointe shoes that I have kept through the years. I'm thinking that the budget will be between $150-$250, because all pointe shoes are hand made and I want mine to be of well quality.

Possible Problems:

The main problem that I can see is hurting myself due to a design gone wrong.

SD Idea #1- Theatre Model in San Antonio

Topic: 
For this idea, I am thinking about creating a model of a theatre for a real site in San Antonio because San Antonio lacks in the area of Performing Arts.

Problem I am Trying to Solve:
I am thinking about the performing arts in San Antonio because for my whole life I have been involved in the performing arts. San Antonio does not have a large theatre for big performances. If San Antonio could acquire such a theatre, than this city could be a top city for the performing arts in the United States. For right now, the best places to gain a dance or theatre career are California and New York. If we were to have one theatre that is similar to the ones on Broadway, we would be another factor place for performing and learning.


Why I Would Like to Solve This Problem/Issue:
This is an important issue to me because I have been part of the performing arts atmosphere since I was three. I have networked with many traveling Broadway stars and they constantly tell me how the theaters in San Antonio are nice, but they are small and are not very sufficient for their productions. Since I was in the summer architecture program at UT Austin, I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate the things I learned with a hobby I love. This project interests me because if there was a better theatre in San Antonio, then our city could evolve faster in the world of Performing Arts. I also want to create real theaters and concert halls when I grow up and become a mature architect.

The Learning Stretch:
I will have to learn about theaters and how they work. I will have to apply my physics class because I will need to know how sound waves work on various surfaces and spaces. This project will be very hard because a theatre is so big and there are many components in one. Not only will I have to worry about the stage and audience but I will have to incorporate the backstage and changing rooms and other elements that are involved in this space. This project will involve a lot of trial and error.


Project Components:
There are a lot of components part of this project. First I will have to find a sufficient site. Once I find that site, I will have to take picture to gain knowledge of the buildings and atmosphere around that site. I will have to make a topographic site model to understand the way of the ground that this building will sit on. After that, I will study already designed theaters. Take pictures of them, and even study the floor plans and sections of the various theaters. I will also have to look at the physics involved in creating this type of building because of the way the sound waves travel and the best materials to use.
I will make basic 1/32 models to get the basic shape of what I want, then I will start making bigger models. The biggest model I will make will be to a scale of either 1/8 or 1/16. I will make my final model from bass wood. But my other models will probably be made from modeling paper which I already have. I will also make a model of it on SketchUP and a rendering from 3D Studio Max. One of my final processes of the project will be to look up materials for the building.


Budget:
I still have some supplies left over from the UT camp that I have already purchased. I would have to pay for the wood, printing the pictures, the cardboard for the site model, and glue. The budget will probably be about $150 but I will not want to go over $200 for this project.


Possible Problems:
The main problem I can see is the size of the building. I have never had to think about so many aspects involved in a building. I want to create something that would be approved if I were to send it to a contractor or a builder. My knowledge is very limited in architecture, but I think I could create a sufficient building. Time management will probably be an issue because I will have to do a lot of work and research out of school.