OBDF Blog Marina Dawson

  AT LAST! PROGRESS! After three different prototypes, each with its own unique settings and design elements I have now finally struck gold. The first, most complicated layer to my design is now complete and now I have several settings for the laser cutter saved and prepared, which should make the following layers of paper to be produced not only faster, but more reliably as well. I feel as though a large weight has now come off my shoulders, and I also now understand better now the full limits to the new laser cutter in the thing tank as Peter shared with me that this is the largest and most complicated design to be put on the bed as of yet! I feel so relived that even after nearly giving up, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. As of now, I am currently working on the second layer or detail and I have begun drawing more inspiration from the smaller design elements from the movie such as the environment's, such as creating more stars and flowers .  I would particul...

Following last weeks research I have continued to invest my time in this project now, less in the content but rather in the materials. I struggled quite a bit this week, especially in turning out a prototype that was able to be cut on the bed. I worried a lot about the laser burning up my project on many occasions, given the level of detail and I even sat over the cutter and babysat it for hours.  I found several issues;  many small details were lost because of the allowance the laser left between each cut, which resulted in several areas of the design needed to be reworked because of this issue. This included the castle, which arguably is one of the most important areas of the tapestry. I also struggled with the laser settings, with many of my prototypes barrel cutting through the paper, leaving mere scorch marks on the back end of the paper. Also, because I am limited to papers which are 2ft by 3ft in size, the weight of each paper exceeded the depth of the cut,. Overall, it...

  Project Update pt.1  This project has now become far more complex than I had originally planned, this week I have been doing research about the Japanese art of paper cutting, 19th century English and French tapestries, and I have been finishing the final model for the laser cutting file. At this point in time, I feel that I am completely happy with my design, I feel that it emulates the overall spirit of the film, it also incorporates several formal elements of a 19th century French tapestry, like a boarder, and most importantly, I believe that it will cut seamlessly on the laser cutter. As previously mentioned, I have also been looking into the art of paper cutting, which originates from Japan. This practice has a rich history that has spanned over hundreds of years, and it is also still a living art. I find it interesting that paper cutting is actually for all ages and skills, with children learning the art in primary school and seniors still enjoying the art and refi...