MSExploreQ2-Tim

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Design Folder - Tim

Unit Question
Why and how do societies convey the importance of global issues to its members? Here at AISD how can we promote the importance global issues so that we can better live the school's vision of “being stewards of a just and sustainable world?"

= __UQ interpreted__ = Why and in what ways/strategies do societies share important concepts/ideas with their members? How and what can we do to share important ideas within our school to make our society a "Just and sustainable" place?

__Observations of the block of wood:__

 * 1) The colors are darker (reddish brown) on the sides, while the top/bottom has a light brown color.
 * 2) 4 sides are rough, yet the other 2 are smoother.
 * 3) The top/bottom has brown arcs.
 * 4) It is rectangular.
 * 5) the surfaces and edges are crude, due to cracks and grooves from cutting (or maybe insects)
 * 6) It is dense (you can hear it as you knock on it).
 * 7) It has very small holes on the surface.
 * 8) Seemed to have little odor, yet had a vanilla (?) type of smell.
 * 9) Dry.

__Why wood is/was a living thing:__
The block of wood we observed in class once used to be a part of a tree, which was living. Trees are definitely a living being, as it was breathing, consuming CO2 and releasing Oxygen. In this way a tree breathes like any other animal (yet animals have a different respiratory system). Also, trees need necessities to live. Without them, a tree would die of malnutrition, which also happens with all living organisms. Therefore, wood/trees are living, as they share similar needs and properties which animals need to survive.

=__Design Brief:__= I decided to make a product on one of the most serious global issues: Deforestation. My product is going to be a sign with simple components, yet can deliver its meaning show how serious deforestation can be, and why it must be halted. I think my product might be best used in forest/green areas around the world, which are under threats of being cut down. It is primarily for governments and corporations, but for everyone, to send an indirect message that even if we don't directly harm nature, we still waste tree-based products everyday, such as paper, and woodwork. In this way, this design solves the UQ, as deforestation is at its worst at the moment, and it needs to be stopped from continuing further. =__Guiding Questions:__= 1. What is it?: It is a sign which tries to persuade people from cutting the forests down, and wasting tree-based products. 2. Who are the audience for this product? Generally, it is for everyone, but it is especially for organizations who are responsible for the loss of trees. 3. Where is it going to be placed? It is best placed in endangered forests around the world, and even smaller places, like schools (in case of AIS/D, it could be installed near recycling bins, recycling baskets, and Green Team boxes) 4. What materials are needed? Paint, wood, plastic (most probably needed), paper, nails and a hammer 5. How does it connect to/solve the UQ? The sign focuses on the global issue, deforestation. It tries to solve the issue, by making the sign against the destruction of forests, and showing the consequences. 6. Size? It is planned to be about the height of an average road sign.

=__Designs:__=

#3
sorry. The pictures were only shown as unicodes and random letters, so it had to be deleted. I will upload them again soon.

=__Process Journal: 1/11/12__= Today I worked on making the components of my design. For my sign, I was only able to successfully cut out the head, and the body is to be worked on next class. However, there were major difficulties while cutting out the head, as I was not very used to the scroll saw. I often kept going out the line I drew, which resulted in a bad circle, with many flat sides and bulges. Since it wasn't fixable by using the scroll saw again, I just used sandpaper to get rid of the bulges on the edge. Luckily, it was quite successful, and the edge looked more smoother than when it was first cut out.

Currently, I only have collected the wood for the body and the legs, but did not have enough time to start on them. I'm looking forward to finishing those sections next class.

=Process Journal: 1/15/12= Unlike my previous prediction, I still was not able to work on the body and legs. However, I was suggested that the top of the sign (the most significant part) was to be prioritized, and the body afterwards. Today, I had a change of plan. I thought painting the picture and words on the sign could be too plain, and lacking creativity. Therefore, I decided to use ceramics to carve out the shapes. I first made a 1:1 drawing of my planned sketch, to fit the size of the sign. I am nearly done drawing the 1:1 scale drawing, and I'm planning to do the ceramic cutting next class.