Project description:
Based on your selected haiku, you are to conceptualize and translate the experiential essence of your haiku into a material palette. In order to develop your palette, you will leverage a series of design process tools (demonstrated in class and studio). To begin, you will develop an attribute diagram that expands upon the haiku, providing the emotional and sensorial attributes that you attribute to the poetic experience of your haiku. Expanding, you will develop an inspiration board that visually captures those emotional and sensorial attributes. These two visuals will be utilized to aid in your selection of appropriate materials for your palette and captured in your concept statement.
Elements in your material palette should include but are not limited to: 8 different types of materials such as wood, metal, stone/concrete, glass, and textiles of many kinds. You are required to incorporate a minimum of 1 “found” element into the palette, either manufactured or from nature, but this cannot be something that would be considered an interior material. The final palette should also tap into the 5 senses, engaging the viewer in a sensorial experience that utilizes small, sound, touch, and even taste, going beyond just the look of the materials to encourage the viewer and encourage tactile interaction.
Process
haiku
A fallen flower
Returning to the branch?
It was a butterfly.
Returning to the branch?
It was a butterfly.
mind map
I created a mind map to pull out words that could inspire my material selection
Inspiration Board
concept statement
“A fallen flower, Returning to the branch? It was a butterfly.” The essence of nature and springtime first came to my mind when reading over my assigned haiku. I immediately knew I needed bright colors and earthy tones and materials to represent the emotions portrayed. I used nine materials, such as wood, upholstery, copper, glass, tile, stone, sheer fabric, leather, and acrylic. I also incorporated some found objects, such as a glass vase, artificial flower petals, lace, paint swatches, and tree branches. I placed these materials on a wooden board to capture the natural aesthetic. The thought behind the materials chosen sparked from words I pulled from my mind map when analyzing the meaning and emotions of the haiku. The “flower” and “butterfly” reminded me of delicate and fragile materials, therefore inspiring me to gather a gradient sheer fabric and a white lace fabric with floral patterns all over it. I also gathered a large piece of glass to represent the fragile component of a flower/ butterfly and the linear threads being run through the glass matched well with my other materials that also replicated a linear pattern. Furthermore, the haiku reminded me of springtime and sunshine and I thought of reflective materials to capture that image. I included white iridescent leather and a copper plate that reflect when light is shined on them. Both have linear textures to them, representing a grass-like feeling. The wood and stone materials represent earthy materials to correspond with the feeling of nature and I added a toned-down green paint swatch to enhance that feeling. I also chose the stone to be a dark color to represent the fearful feeling of the word “fallen”. The color of my materials, so far, was feeling one-dimensional, and I decided to add a bright pop of color through the pink and purple upholstery. The pattern on the upholstery appeared like the shape of butterfly wings and it had a soothing, velvety texture to it, making it the perfect addition to my materials board. I also added color through the blue and green linear, swirled pattern on the acrylic which also represented the windy and airy essence of the haiku. The butterfly acts as the focal point of my board and is made from four teardrop-shaped marble tiles formed together. To finish off my board I added artificial flower petals scattered across and incorporated some small tree branches, acting as the butterfly antennas. I also sprayed the board with a floral perfume to encapsulate the aroma of spring. My material board successfully displays the imagery associated with the haiku through different materials, colors, textures, and senses.
final materials board
