Light Sculpture

I designed and built a light sculpture for my second-year elective Industrial Design project.

The assignment was to design a sculpture (made out of Tyvek) that engaged a light source. This project was not about recreating a familiar form. It was about seeing what the Tyvek could do, looking for unique form opportunities, textures, patterns that feel natural to the Tyvek and not forced or used to depict representations of things or existing shades.

The 'wavy parts' of my design were inspired by a scene in the anime Akira; when the scientist is looking at his holographically represented data. To me, putting these wavy cone shapes around a sphere makes it look like a meteor or explosion. Someone said it looks like something splashing in water, which is also true.

The sculpture measures approximately 40 cubic cm. It is designed to fit an IKEA Strala cord set.

The images below show most of the process.

Ideation sketch.
Digital 1:2 scale model.
1:2 scale rough model (acetate and Tyvek) unlit.
1:2 scale rough model lit.
1:2 scale 3D-printed in sections.
1:2 scale 3D-print super-glued together.
1:2 scale model with Tyvek cones attached.
Added 'tabs and holes' to secure parts together.
Full-scale mockup printed with transparent PLA.
Printed sphere for final model assembled.
Designed a fitter.
Printed and super-glued the fitter.
Digitally measured 1/8 of cones to make patterns.
Patterns for cones, made out of chipboard.
Using compass to find circumferences of cones.
Holes cut to fit tabs.
'Wavy parts' drawn freehand.
Wavy parts cut with scissors.
Started from the bottom.
Now we here.