Precedents: Fractal Art

 Fractals are an excellent example of patterns. Created with algorythms, fractals are images made up of hundreds, thousands, or even billions of repeating shapes to create beautiful pieces of art.

Excerpt from Wikipedia that can invaraibly describe the concept far better than I could:

Fractal art is a form of algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects and representing the calculation results as still images, animations, and media. Fractal art is usually created indirectly with the assistance of fractal-generating software, iterating through three phases: setting parameters of appropriate fractal software; executing the possibly lengthy calculation; and evaluating the product. In some cases, other graphics programs are used to further modify the images produced. This is called post-processing.

Fractal art comes from uses fractal designs. Fractals are any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes for which any suitably chosen part is similar in shape to a given larger or smaller part when magnified or reduced to the same size.^[1] There are many different kinds of fractal images and can be subdivided into several groups.

Project 3: 'Pattern'

pat·tern

noun /ˈpatərn/ 
patterns, plural

A repeated decorative design
• - a neat blue herringbone pattern
An arrangement or sequence regularly found in comparable objects or events
• - the house had been built on the usual pattern
A regular and intelligible form or sequence discernible in certain actions or situations
• - a complicating factor is the change in working patterns
A model or design used as a guide in needlework and other crafts


A set of instructions to be followed in making a sewn or knitted item


A wooden or metal model from which a mold is made for a casting


An example for others to follow
• - he set the pattern for subsequent study
A sample of cloth or wallpaper

verb /ˈpatərn/ 
patterned, past participle; patterned, past tense; patterning, present participle; patterns, 3rd person singular present

Decorate with a recurring design
• - rosebud patterned wallpapers
• - violet-tinged flowers patterned the grassy banks
Give a regular or intelligible form to
• - the brain not only receives information, but interprets and patterns it
Give something a form based on that of (something else)
• - the clothing is patterned on athletes' wear

Final Render

{Click for high-res}

Final Laser Cut Physical Model

Painted Edges

I'm loving how this is turning out.

I had asked Rachel a few weeks back if we were able to use paint on the laser cut models as an additional material, and luckily she said yes, but only around the edges. I've strategically used complimentary colours (red and green, opposites on the colour wheel!) to accentuate the design details. 

Render Progress

Still working on this in Photoshop til it's looking pristine.

I'm working with a different bumpmat as well, there wasn't enough contrast/texture/vibrancy in my first choice:

Model Dilemma

I've been fiddling around with my laser cut parts and there's a dilemma. I'm going to edit the slotting mechanism (basically by putting slots in the rectangular pieces) because otherwise it's not going to stick together properly and makes it way beyond difficult to build.

Sketch Model V

I put together a sketch model of this new idea to ensure it was more structurally sound, and it is!

Edit: I was able to get the edited rectangles laser cut. Hurrah!