Week 16 : Wildcard Week
Summary
This week, I experimented with a four-step design process to design a logo for my mother, who makes ceramics. I then embroidered this logo to experiment with a new manufacturing technique. The final result is shown below.
Assignments
Individual Assignments
- Design and produce something with a digital process (incorporating computer-aided design and manufacturing) not covered in another assignment, documenting the requirements that your assignment meets, and including everything necessary to reproduce it.
Contexte of the Week
This week, Mélanie from the FabLab suggested a different approach to the week’s tasks. She suggested we become designers and adopt a more creative approach. But she also imposed a constraint on us: not to use the Internet to find out what to do. The design process goes through several stages: define, ideate, prototype, and imagine usages. So I’m going to try to relate to them for this week’s project.
We were also introduced to the technique of digitally assisted embroidery. This is what I’m going to use to highlight my logo.
For this week, I came up with the idea of creating a logo for my mother, who makes ceramics. It was Mother’s Day in Belgium, so it made sense. It’s not her job, but it’s not impossible that one day she’ll start marketing her creations, so I thought it was a good idea.
Define
For this step, I need to define the project I want to design. To do this, Mélanie suggest brainstorming and illustrating it with a mindmap.
What’s a mindmap ?
A mindmap is a visual tool used to organize information, ideas, or concepts around a central theme, typically branching out in a non-linear, diagrammatic format to show relationships and hierarchy.
In my case, I started with the “Project” idea, and went into three branches: logo, mother, and ceramics. For a first experience, I kept things simple. Then I started generating sub-links that came naturally to me.
Finally, I decided, in red, to make the links I wanted to appear in my logo. These links will form the basis of the next step.
Ideate
Ideation is a creative process that involves exploring different ways of representing the project as defined in the previous step. I make a point of not using the Internet for inspiration.
Paper & pen
For this stage, I sat down in front of a sheet of paper with a pen, and started drawing and writing. I started on paper so I’d have a clear idea of where to go when I turned to the computer. My drafts are shown below.
In my drafts I focused on the brand name, missing the symbol aspect which will come later.
Computer
I’m now turning to Inkscape, the drawing program I used in my first week and have been using ever since. I produce a whole host of different versions, trying to highlight the name I’ve settled on: “Pat & Pot” or “Pot & Pat”, Pat being my mother’s nickname, and pot, a ceramic pot. My versions are shown below. I’m not working on the color yet, as I’d rather decide on a definitive version.
I ended up with the following version for the text aspect of the logo.
I’d now like to include a symbol. Since I’m not very confident with drawing, I decide to go to a free symbol bank, and integrate one I like. I try different configurations again, and decide on this one on the right.
Finally, I decide to work with color. I’ll keep it fairly simple, choosing two complementary colors: blue and terracotta.
This concludes the ideation stage with the logo I like, taking into account what I defined in the previous stage.
Prototype
For the prototyping stage, I decided to use the digitally-assisted embroidery technique presented to us. I’m going to test different parameter configurations, iterating my prototype until I end up with a version that fully satisfies me.
Embroidery Machine
The machine model is the Brother Innov-is F480, and there are a series of preparation steps to follow in order to embroider what you want. These steps are presented below.
File Preparation
To prepare the file, you need to be on Inkscape and install the Ink/Stitch extension to generate machine-readable files.
Installation of the extension is straightforward and explained on its website.
Back on Inkscape, the drawing must be vectorized and in “path” form. Colors are differentiated by the machine, so this should be taken into account. The drawing must not be larger than the machine’s frame, which is limited to 13 by 18 cm.
By going to extension>Ink/stitch>Parameters, I can set the embroidery parameters. For example, I can increase thread density by decreasing the distance between two passes. I can change the orientation of passes or the way they are generated (contours, from inside to outside, etc.). A preview is also available.
I’ll play with these parameters to get my final version.
Finally, I save the file in machine-readable format by going to file>save as>*.pes file.
Machine Preparation
To prepare the machine, you need to prepare the frame, upper thread and lower thread.
Lower Thread Preparation
To prepare the lower thread, I need a small spool of the thread I want to use. This is placed under the needle, with the thread following the arrows indicated for positioning.
If this small spool of thread is not available, it is necessary to make one using a large spool. This procedure consists of placing the large spool in its position, and the small spool on the upper right-hand side of the machine and activating the rewind.
Upper Thread Preparation
To prepare the upper thread, I place the spool in its position and follow the path indicated by the arrows on the machine with the thread. At the end of the path, the thread is inserted into the needle. This can be done by hand, or using the hand crank on the left of the machine, placing the thread in its notch at position 7.
Frame Preparation
To prepare the frame, I start by cutting the fabric to the size of the frame (with a margin), as well as the paper that goes underneath the fabric to stiffen the embroidery.
I then place the two layers on the lower part of the frame, and close it with the upper part. I take care to tighten the two parts together with the dedicated screw. I also take care to stretch the fabric so that the embroidery runs smoothly.
Then I can place the frame on the machine using the notches that are available as shown in the images below.
The machine is ready, I can now move on to configuring the software on the machine.
Start Embroidery
To start the embroidery, I insert the USB key with the .pes file into the machine, and select my file on the machine. There’s a whole range of tools available for choosing position, size, etc. It’s also possible to check the outline of the embroidery to see its position in real time. Finally, the last screen shows us the embroidery operation that will be performed, the time it will take, and the colours.
To start the embroidery, lower the foot onto the fabric using the crank behind the machine, and press the green button.
Results
All the results are shown below. I started with the default settings, then tested the contour fill: inside to outside, and finally tested increasing the thread density with the contour, and the auto fill.
To show it to my mother, I re-did the last version on a larger piece of fabric.
Problems experienced
-
The thread comes off the needle during embroidery.
-
The needle falls out during embroidery.
-
The small lower spool has no thread left.
-
The fabric running over the frame folded under the frame and was sewn underneath.
Imagine
For this part of the design, I’m going to think about applying this logo to different media, but that won’t be done per se.
- Borders on pockets, bags, t-shirts, etc.
- Website
- Business card
- Signs
I’m keeping this fairly concise because it relates more specifically to the work of industrial designers, who will have to sell their idea to their client, something I won’t have to do here.