SURFACE MANIPULATION
Taking inspiration from a dragon fruit and interpreting it’s qualities/aspects using different conventional and unconventional materials and techniques. Also encouraging an attitude and approach which stimulates one to find potential, research, develop concepts and innovate through various material manipulation techniques. The aim is to develop surfaces with various inspirational properties that could leverage products as a whole.
Inspiration- DRAGON FRUIT
Striped Rhythms-
Replicating the proportion, distribution, interaction and scheme of colors of the fruit when looked from various aspects/states of use.
Paper Concepts-
Exploring the forms and scales of the fruit using paper and other experimental materials. Some of these explorations are later replicated using fabrics.
3D Model-
After observing the fruit from all aspects, a 3D model is made to understand and replicate the form, texture, color by choosing the right medium possible.
Colour Interaction-
Taking the basic colors of a dragon fruit from the color palette and wrapping them together to get the mid tones of the fruit.
Geometry -
The geometry of a dragon fruit is very similar to a polar Zonohedron which has varying pitch.This geometrical structure is made to show how a stripe of progressive quadrilaterals (units) repeats itself to form a dragon fruit.
3D Embroidery -
Embroidery on mesh depicting the geometry and the scoop-able property of the fruit.
Fabric Manipulation -
Exploring surfaces by playing with combination of fabrics having varying properties (knitted and woven)
Knitted Surface-
Showing the individual units of the outer cover by changing the knit structure. In this sample a combination of plain and pearl is used.
Knitted Surface -
Knitted surface (garter stitch) with a shiny polyester yarn to give a glossy look to the overall surface. Then Black beads are sewed at varying depths to give the essence of seeds.
Product Visualisation-
A pouch inspired from dragon fruit. Keeping the various properties like the layering of seeds at various depths, the surprising colors, etc.
Applique Embroidery
A sectional view of the fruit is depicted on fabric using a embroidery frame. Cotton cords and beads are used as a detailing
Woven Surface-
Woven Striped rhythm by taking the color proportions and Interaction into consideration.
Knitted Surface -
A knitted surface (garter stitch) with a combination of space dyed and plain white acrylic wool.
Final Panel Concept-
After understanding the geometry, a panel is made (2x4 feet) taking inspiration from the base view of the fruit. Each unit is made to elevate by filling polyfill under layers of fabric which creates a surprising interaction within the layers. The hide n seek play of colors are only visible when looked from certain angles.
The flat base view of a dragon fruit has Fibonacci spiral in it and is an excellent example of geometry in nature. So, the same is replicated into a 3d surface where each unit grows in a golden ratio.
3 Weeks, Academic project (2018)
Guide- Arnab Senapati