The Design Brief includes: the requests from my client, material lists, and the aim/plan for this project.
Design Specification
The aim for this specification is to get a clear and precise imagine for my overall design.
It includes: Materials needed for creation, color choices/measurements for each elements, requirements and guide for laser cutting, etc.
Process
Drawing the design out using Adobe Illustrator
During this process, I changed the shape of the hat since it was challenging to make the side of the hat to tilt. Another change I made was the snowman's lower body. Originally, I had planned to cut parts of the body so that it would look like a scarf, (as you can see in my Design Specification) however it turned out to be a little challenging. Therefore, I made the design simpler, and made them engraved.
Laser cutting the design out
After turning the machine on and adjusting where I wanted the design to be on the measured paper, I pressed the level of the heat for the laser cut to start. When choosing whether to cut or to engrave, I clicked on certain buttons on the connected computer to do so.
Coloring/Decorating
After the design was cut out, I realized the lower part of the snowman's body was cut out due to my misconception of how the design would be cut out. Therefore I altered the design a bit by adding a paper scarf on top to make the final product work as a solution.
Final Product
One thing that I feel like I was successful in working on the laser-cut paper project was the design specification. This is because I think I was able to include requirements and detailed instructions that can guide a person that doesn't know anything about the project to begin with, without my advice and help. In detail, I included materials that are needed, enlarged illustrations of how each element would look like, and measurements/color of elements. In addition, I think these precise requirements were needed to complete the project, and it was really helpful for me to have an idea of what my final project would take in place. Although I had altered parts of the plan while actually working and designing the design on Adobe Illustrator, I think those alterations were needed to further improve the quality of my final product for my client, as it looks aesthetically pleasing as it turned out. Moreover, my client was a girl that wanted a Christmas decoration that is aesthetically pleasing, I think I was able to create something that can satisfy her request in the end.
For my next design project, I would like to work on my time management skills as I spent a lot of time working on my planning/brainstorming ideas, or designing, instead of using more time on the final steps of my project. What I mean by that is that I sacrificed many class periods for designing my product on Adobe Illustrator, instead of testing and laser cutting my design out. If I had been able to get through the process of designing faster, I would have had more time to test and explore the tools of laser cutting, or wouldn't have had to rush the process of laser cutting my final product out. Despite the fact that my final product turned out fairly successful, it could’ve turned out suitable for many other clients, and not just my client only. Furthermore, I think that being able to manage time while working for designing projects would highly benefit the quality of the final product, but it would also benefit me as a person as I can be more organized and efficient in working on school projects in general.