"The Pause" Phone Holder
Description:
Over the past few decades, countless researchers have studied the effects of screen time and smart phone usage on humanity (of all ages). The relatively consistent results reveal important links between negative states of physical and mental health with the increasing amount of time people spend both intentionally and mindlessly using their devices. Many would agree the merits to smartphone usage are numerous; however, lesser known are the ill-effects of the seemingly endless attachment to our phones. The theme for this project is literally and figuratively to construct a "PAUSE", a place of rest for your phone. The "PAUSE" can take many forms; and yet each person's project will utilize 18-gauge aluminum sheet metal (8 ½ x 11in max), sawed designs (using both the positive and the negative shapes), folds, tabs, and possibly slot construction. A paper mock-up will be evaluated for creative interpretation of the theme as well as plausible construction techniques. The true test will be if your design holds your phone (physical balance) and evokes a sentiment of “PAUSE” (encourages mindfulness, reflects your life's passions-beyond your smartphone, and/or offers a positive mantra/encouraging statement).
Below are some examples of the construction techniques possible with the aluminum material, build off these ideas to get started on the paper mock-up. You are limited to a 8 1/2x11 piece of material, cutting and folding (note there is no gluing or soldering for this project)
Over the past few decades, countless researchers have studied the effects of screen time and smart phone usage on humanity (of all ages). The relatively consistent results reveal important links between negative states of physical and mental health with the increasing amount of time people spend both intentionally and mindlessly using their devices. Many would agree the merits to smartphone usage are numerous; however, lesser known are the ill-effects of the seemingly endless attachment to our phones. The theme for this project is literally and figuratively to construct a "PAUSE", a place of rest for your phone. The "PAUSE" can take many forms; and yet each person's project will utilize 18-gauge aluminum sheet metal (8 ½ x 11in max), sawed designs (using both the positive and the negative shapes), folds, tabs, and possibly slot construction. A paper mock-up will be evaluated for creative interpretation of the theme as well as plausible construction techniques. The true test will be if your design holds your phone (physical balance) and evokes a sentiment of “PAUSE” (encourages mindfulness, reflects your life's passions-beyond your smartphone, and/or offers a positive mantra/encouraging statement).
Below are some examples of the construction techniques possible with the aluminum material, build off these ideas to get started on the paper mock-up. You are limited to a 8 1/2x11 piece of material, cutting and folding (note there is no gluing or soldering for this project)
Tools for Discussion, Reflection, & Brainstorming
ARTICLE: HOW CELL PHONES HAMPER OUR ABILITY TO APPRECIATE ART EXHIBITIONS
Take The Quiz: click here
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- In what way do you need or want to PAUSE from your cell phone?
- What is a phrase, verse, or statement that reminds you to be present, look on the bright side, or generally uplift your day?
- What is a passion you have that brings you mental and physical health and well-being? What could you gain if you spent more
time away from your phone?
DESIGN CRITERIA: MUST INCLUDE * BASED ON 2 TEMPLATE OPTIONS
- Positive (metal) and Negative (drop-out) shapes in the design
- Keep all Positive (metal) shapes connected
- Avoid tiny details, thin lines, and accidental drop-out
- All the pieces of your template must fit on a 81/2 x 11 piece of paper
-Design must lift and hold the phone (in a vertical and horizontal position) and have a phone cord solution.
- On your template, shade (or x-out) all the shapes that you plan to drop out of your design - Apply the same
approach that you did for the practice paper cut-out that we did earlier in the semester.
- Once the design is approved, make a copy of your template to glue onto the metal
- Make a practice construction template (cut and fold one copy of your template)
NEW TERMS and TOOLS to know:
Positive Shape Negative Shape Drop-out Contrast Simplification Visual Balance Bench Pin Slot Construction Cold Connections
Contour Line (as an edge to a shape) Center Punch Drill Press Bending Break
Tabs Aluminum Physical Balance/Weight Distribution
Saw Frame & Blade
- In what way do you need or want to PAUSE from your cell phone?
- What is a phrase, verse, or statement that reminds you to be present, look on the bright side, or generally uplift your day?
- What is a passion you have that brings you mental and physical health and well-being? What could you gain if you spent more
time away from your phone?
DESIGN CRITERIA: MUST INCLUDE * BASED ON 2 TEMPLATE OPTIONS
- Positive (metal) and Negative (drop-out) shapes in the design
- Keep all Positive (metal) shapes connected
- Avoid tiny details, thin lines, and accidental drop-out
- All the pieces of your template must fit on a 81/2 x 11 piece of paper
-Design must lift and hold the phone (in a vertical and horizontal position) and have a phone cord solution.
- On your template, shade (or x-out) all the shapes that you plan to drop out of your design - Apply the same
approach that you did for the practice paper cut-out that we did earlier in the semester.
- Once the design is approved, make a copy of your template to glue onto the metal
- Make a practice construction template (cut and fold one copy of your template)
NEW TERMS and TOOLS to know:
Positive Shape Negative Shape Drop-out Contrast Simplification Visual Balance Bench Pin Slot Construction Cold Connections
Contour Line (as an edge to a shape) Center Punch Drill Press Bending Break
Tabs Aluminum Physical Balance/Weight Distribution
Saw Frame & Blade
POSITIVE SHAPES- are the metal or paper used to construct the project- all the positive shapes need to stay connected for the design to work.
NEGATIVE SHAPES- are cut-out parts that are removed; the "drop out" pieces.
DROP-OUT- what we call the negative sawed pieces that fall out when you cut a line all around them
CONTRAST - opposites in a design (black and white, organic and geometric, for example)
SIMPLIFICATION- making a recognizable design with essential details; not too complex.
VISUAL BALANCE- A way to organize the composition so that all the pieces seem to go together, and hold equal visual weight on all sides of the design. For sawing purposes you'll often want your design to have 50% sawed and unsawed
BENCH PIN- The wooden support clamped to the edge of the work bench used for sawing and filing.
COLD CONNECTIONS- a way to connect metal without using heat
SLOT CONSTRUCTION- slots are cut into two pieces and then one piece of metal can slide into the other
(difficult to create physical balance with this technique and the slots cannot be modified easily)
TABS- an extra flap or triangle of metal that can be bent over to hold and pressed down to hold two pieces of metal together
RIVETS- a nail that passes through multiple "sheets of material" and then is expended on both ends to press
them together (similar to a staple)
ALUMINUM- A grey elemental metal used mainly for sawing, it melts at 1221 degrees therefore cannot be soldered and is more brittle than flexible.
CONTOUR LINE- the outside edge of a shape or form, defining the positive shape from the negative shape
CENTER PUNCH- A sharp "nail like" tool used to dimple in the metal before drilling (within the negative shape NOT ON THE CONTOUR!)
DRILL PRESS- A machine used to drill holes through metal or wood
BENDING BREAK- A large hand tool used to bend a straight line in a sheet of metal
PHYSICAL BALANCE- figuring out the distribution of weight to support your phone and not fall forward or backward
SAW FRAME & BLADE- A metal frame with a handle that holds the blade in place, used for reshaping sheet metal
NEGATIVE SHAPES- are cut-out parts that are removed; the "drop out" pieces.
DROP-OUT- what we call the negative sawed pieces that fall out when you cut a line all around them
CONTRAST - opposites in a design (black and white, organic and geometric, for example)
SIMPLIFICATION- making a recognizable design with essential details; not too complex.
VISUAL BALANCE- A way to organize the composition so that all the pieces seem to go together, and hold equal visual weight on all sides of the design. For sawing purposes you'll often want your design to have 50% sawed and unsawed
BENCH PIN- The wooden support clamped to the edge of the work bench used for sawing and filing.
COLD CONNECTIONS- a way to connect metal without using heat
SLOT CONSTRUCTION- slots are cut into two pieces and then one piece of metal can slide into the other
(difficult to create physical balance with this technique and the slots cannot be modified easily)
TABS- an extra flap or triangle of metal that can be bent over to hold and pressed down to hold two pieces of metal together
RIVETS- a nail that passes through multiple "sheets of material" and then is expended on both ends to press
them together (similar to a staple)
ALUMINUM- A grey elemental metal used mainly for sawing, it melts at 1221 degrees therefore cannot be soldered and is more brittle than flexible.
CONTOUR LINE- the outside edge of a shape or form, defining the positive shape from the negative shape
CENTER PUNCH- A sharp "nail like" tool used to dimple in the metal before drilling (within the negative shape NOT ON THE CONTOUR!)
DRILL PRESS- A machine used to drill holes through metal or wood
BENDING BREAK- A large hand tool used to bend a straight line in a sheet of metal
PHYSICAL BALANCE- figuring out the distribution of weight to support your phone and not fall forward or backward
SAW FRAME & BLADE- A metal frame with a handle that holds the blade in place, used for reshaping sheet metal