Fling Machine

In class, we were given 1 balloon, 2 corks, 1 rubber band, 2 paper clips, 2 coffee stir sticks, 2 straws, 2 pipe cleaners, and a sheet of foil to create something that would fling a cotton ball as far as possible.  My partner Sonia and I created something using foil, straws, pipe cleaners, and a rubber band.  To launch, we pulled the foil one way and the rubber band the other to give it more power.  Unfortunately, we released the cotton ball wrong during the official trial and ended up with a negative distance of -0.75 inches.  

 However when we tested our machine on our own, we got:

49.5 inches, 29 inches, 12.5 inches, 22 inches, 15.5 inches, 0 inches, 3.5 inches, 8.5 inches, 0 inches, and 9 inches.  

mean:14.95 inches

median: 10.75 inches

range: 49.5 inches

sample standard deviation: 15.28833424209

From this information, we can predict that the ball will land between about -0.33 inches and 30.23 inches.

Statistical analysis results would be better for measuring performance when comparing devices than a single attempt, simply because accidents do happen.  For example, you cannot judge someones basketball ability based on one shot.  For this reason, grades for this project should be given by the average rather than the one official shot.  

If I were to do this again, I would use the coffee stir sticks instead of the straws and pipe cleaners because they are stronger and would provide more energy.  This would only use a few materials.  

As a team, Sonia and I worked very well together.  We each contributed ideas and listened to each others.

Reflecting on Unit Conversion Presentations

We were given the assignment of presenting the information on Unit Conversions in a "fun" way.  My group presented the information as a short film: "Measurement Man".  In this film, we had Measurement Man present the information to the disorganized citizens.  The film may be seen here.
This was a fun way of presenting boring things.

Kaleidoscope Project

In class, we made kaleidoscopes with cardboard lined with mirrors.  On one end, we put an eyehole and on the other end, we put an "envelope" of color.  I made mine with interchangeable lens pieces (see below).

Color Theory

Color theory is made up of the color wheel, color harmony, and how the colors are used.  Below is an example of a color wheel.  There are different types of colors: primary, secondary, and tertiary.  The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue, shown by the frog, seahorse, and butterfly, because they can't be formed by combining other colors and they make up all other colors.  Secondary colors are orange, green, and violet, shown by the goldfish, chameleon, and beta fish because they are formed by mixing two primary colors.  Finally, the tertiary colors are red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red violet, shown by the monkey, snake, bug, sea turtle, fish, and dragonfly because they are formed by mixing a primary and secondary color.

Color schemes are different arrangements of colors.  There are different types, including monochromatic, analogous, complementary, color triads, and split complementary.  Below are the different types.  Pictures taken from: http://www.worqx.com/color/combinations.htm

Monochromatic color schemes are made up of shades of the same color.  Monochromatic colors are easy to work with, always look good together, look clean and nice, and allow you to emphasize certain features, so they are often used by web designers.

Analogous color schemes are made up of colors next to each other on the wheel.  They are similar to monochromatic, but are more rich.

Complementary colors are across to each other on the color wheel.  This color scheme has the most contrast and draws a lot of attention.

Color triads are made up of three colors on the color wheel that are equally spaced.  Although there is a high contrast, there also good harmony.

Split complementary colors are made up of one color and two colors equally spaced from that one color on the wheel.  This color scheme retains a strong contrast.

Multi View Sketching

Construction lines help you construct the rest of your drawing in the very beginning.  Object lines are the heavy lines that actually outline the structure.  Hidden lines show the features of the object that are not visible from a certain view.  Center lines represent axes and axes points with cylindrical objects.  The examples are isometric drawings.  Building professionals prefer multi view drawings over pictorial be cause they are easier to understand.  They show, very simply, the view from each side.

Final Presentation: Locker Solution

The Problem: Lockers

-difficult for everyone to access their things

-not enough space

-sold as one dimensional unit

The Solution

-easier assembly

-uses less metal, therefore cheaper

-twice as many people can access at once

Meeting a Designer

When we met a designer in class on Wednesday, the main thing that stuck with me was the fact that he didn't go to college.  I learned that as a designer more important than education is experience. I also learned that a disadvantage of a start up company is that there is no guarantee of payment or success.