Abstract Tech

My main project is in the Abstract Tech aesthetic. Abstract Tech includes digital holograms, lights, geometric patterns, and conceptual “technology” to paint a futuristic picture. This aesthetic draws on the technology movement of the 20th century. There is often digital circuitry involved in this aesthetic, and an overall futuristic feel. Below is an example of Abstract Tech.

Artist: Olena Lishchyshyna

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/abstract-background-with-interweaving-of-colored-lines-and-dots-network-connection-gm1360927961-433716555

Inspiration

I am planning on attempting to nail this aesthetic by creating an infinity mirror, preferably in a geometric shape such as a hexagon. This will have LED lights around the outside, that reflect to the inside, to hit the Abstract Tech aesthetic. My inspiration for this design is from a YouTube video I recently watched. I have included a screenshot of my inspiration below.

Artist: techydiy YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAPGw0SD1DE

My Vision

My design was aimed to hit the Abstract Tech aesthetic. I really wanted the aesthetic of my project to completely change when a viewer looks into a mirror. I envisioned lights, similar to the above image, reflecting an “infinite” amount of times, creating a pattern that embodies the abstract tech aesthetic. I also envisioned a clean frame that does not distract the viewer, as well as having customizable lights in which the user can change color/ pattern based on what they desire.

My Design

A large portion of my design process was creating many different revisions of the similar models. My goal was to 3D print a frame which can hold up my three main pieces- a mirror, an LED strip, and a 2-way mirror. After receiving peer feedback, as well as talking to those who operate 3D printers on campus, I revised my design a total of 4 times. Each revision was tailored to another constraint that the 3D printers have. The main constraints were geometry and printing time/material. Below is a sequence of my revisions, starting with my first on the left and ending with my final design.

I ended up making a final revision, which was splitting the base in half in order to cut down on print time. Below is a photo of my final project, I will talk more about the fabrication and assembly in my next post.

My frame design was meant to be simple and not distracting to a viewer.  As you can see, I had to not only split my base, but also remove the filets from the edges in order to 3D print properly. I believe that my end result hit my vision of the project perfectly, and I am thankful for the peer feedback and help I received from the ITL and Idea Forge staff in creating my product.

The lack of clarity in the front film is due to the 2-way film being applied to the acrylic improperly, I only have enough film left for one more attempt, which I will try to make better before the design expo. I’ll talk more about that in the next post, but for now, I am very happy with how my project has turned out. Feel free to ask questions/ give any feedback!