A range of wireless digital measuring
instruments; a calliper, measuring tape and protractor.
Measurements of physical objects are transferred in realtime to an
on-screen digital 3d model on which it needs to fit. Through this
project, measuring becomes something without numbers, but with
accurate precision; measuring becomes making. These instruments can
then be used in an application where archetypical, parametric
objects can be customised with exact measurements and materialised
by digital production techniques such as 3D printing.
A range of wireless
digital measuring instruments; a calliper, measuring tape and
protractor. Measurements of physical objects are transferred in
realtime to an on-screen digital 3d model on which it needs to fit.
Through this project, measuring becomes something without numbers,
but with accurate precision; measuring becomes making. These
instruments can then be used in an application where archetypical,
parametric objects can be customised with exact measurements and
materialised by digital production techniques such as 3D
printing.
Since the late 1960’s researchers have been experimenting
with graphical user interfaces to make computers more accessible to
non specialists. Early graphical interfaces had to be invented from
scratch, and one popular way to deal with the abstract nature of
‘the digital’ was to work with metaphors. The
prevailing ‘desktop’ metaphor has now become one of the
most recognisable interface analogies, treating the computer
monitor like the user's physical desktop. In this way, objects such
as documents and folders can be placed in filing systems, relatable
to the prior paper systems commonly used in the office. The same
unifying concepts were applied to creative programs. Drawing and
painting applications used familiar ‘real world’
instruments from the artists workshop, like a pencil, paintbrush,
spray can, paint bucket and so on, and translated them into digital
counterparts with similar functions.
Of Instruments and Archetypes explores the possibilities of
taking back these non physical instruments, and returning them to
the real world without loosing their digital functions.
A project from Unfold and
Kirschner3D in collaboration with
Penny Webb. Commissioned for
the Keyshapes exhibition at the Dutch Design Week 2014 and
developed with the support of Creative Industries Fund NL.
Of Instruments and Archetypes was nominated for the
2015
Designs of
the Year awards issued by Design Museum London.
Film by Joris Peskens
fig. 09-12: photography by David Peskens
fig. 13: photography by Peter Verbruggen
other photography by Unfold
contact
