The Blank Space Build Project
My senior design capstone project, also called The Blank Space Project, was the culmination of my bachelor's studies in design at Tulane University. The goal of this build system was to streamline both active use and long-term storage solutions for artists, specifically painters like myself. This project focused on assembly accessibility with an interest in modularity and scalability.
Early Stages
With the three main components of accessibility, applicability, and customization, this project combines friction joinery, humble materials, and tool-specific design to create a custom storage system for artists like myself.
I used cardboard to test early design in my paiting studio. It helped me understand how the modules needed to interact and helped me explore physially accesiblity and finachally accesiblity through humble materials.
Solving problems that were unsolved by exsiting artist storage solutions was a major driver for me. This inspired much of the ealry models to be made to fit exact measurements of starnd art supplies like brushes paint tubes ect.
I was interested in incorporating a level of organic movement to challenge how I would interact with a rigid material like plywood. I explored living hinges, organic shapes, and more throughout the iterative process.
Renders
I used Rhino 3D Software to help me render and problem-solve the next iteration of the project. It was during this time that I began to explore assembly and contribution. I tried out many options, but found that friction-held slot joints were the most physically accessible.
A main focus of my digital problem-solving was the brush-docking system. Here, I returned to my organic inspiration from the early stages and repeated a wave motif. This allowed for ideal horizontal storage that worked as both a short-term and long-term solution.
Finalization
Much of this project would not be possible without the generous support of many of my friends and family. Again, thank you to everyone who contributed. This would not have happened with you! Xo Liesbeth