First, my class was told to make a wearable based on an infographic we made.
I decided to focus on the topic of 'Movement'
After that, I made two movement studies using spare umbrellas.
The first study was on limb elongation. The red and orange attachments elongate the base form.
The second study was on increasing the number of segments per limb.
The original umbrella had three segments per leg, this modified version has four segments in one of its legs.
After these movement explorations, I explored the limb location. I decided to place the limbs over large muscle groups.
From this exploration, I made a small scale model, mapping the location of the attachments to the human body.
After making these small scale and movement models, I made my first full scale model. I diverged from my small scale design in my goal of making it move. I succeeded in creating a variety of movements and directions. Still, I wanted the final model neater and closer to my original small scale model.
To improve my design the most, I broke down and examined the model's component parts. I noticed that this design existed on three main axes, with the movement triggering axis in the middle. I realized that this spacing of the triggering arm versus the sympathetically moving arms allowed an organic spacing of movement and direction. The main arm would move first in one direction and the two secondary one would follow in two separate directions after. This subtle timing and direction imbued the design with life.
As I investigated how to improve the physical design, I also investigated if this design could be manufactured with accurate movements.
I modeled the hinges in solidworks and tested its success by modeling its movements.
Revising the first full scale design, I made a second prototype. This prototype was neater and more organized.
This model was also closer to the original small scale model. The limbs on it related to the muscle groups I had chosen in the beginning. This prototype succeeded in some areas, but lacked the dynamic movements and directions of the previous prototype. Its neatness also detracted from the monstrous appearance my concept called for, so I knew there were more areas to improve on.
This next prototype is the first wearable one. It has the dynamism of the first prototype and the chaotic formations needed for a monstrous appearance. The moving limbs are attached to a vest and succeed as a working wearable. This design is a good combination of the first and second prototypes. Areas to improve are the vest design and also the neatness of the limb formations.
Here is the vest, or carapace, design. It matches the material and forms of the limbs. The shoulder area contains guides for the triggering mechanism while the back serves as a platform to mount the limbs at the correct angles onto. The carapace itself is an adjustable design that opens at the waist and then engulfs the wearer.
Here is the final model. It has movement in multiple directions and speeds while maintaining a refined overall composition.
