Hand and Machine

'Technology and craft go hand in hand-much like beauty and utility-and become all the more powerful in combination.' (Jony Ive Cheif Design Officer, Apple, Sponsors statement, Manus x Machina: Fashion in and age of technology, Page 4 )

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As my blog draws to a close, my main final design and shoot also fall together in perfect synchronization. 

the accessory produced combines the idea of machine and hand by using different techniques to configure the design into a physical form.

The basic form of the design is wood, a natural resource that is processed and molded into the right density and size to be used in multiple different ways.

By the use of the laser cutting machine, the main components of the accessory are created evenly and neatly, in a very robotic way.

This process refines the symmetry matching that of the perfectly created components of an industrial machine.

Incorporating the aspect of the hand, the movement of spraying painting the cogs a metallic silver, much like my primary images at the beginning of my blog incorporates works alongside the designs inspired by Alexander McQueen, (1999) catwalk show which incorporated a model being turned on a stand and sprayed with industrial machines used for cars in China.This method suddenly transforms the accessory into the image of newly created metal cogs, used in the large industrial machines, which when exposed to colossal use will fade and decay much like that of a machine, if not maintained. The configuring of the final accessory was produced by hand, simultaneously placing each component in a competent manner.

The extremity of the accessory was inspired by the monumental designers and large named Avant-Garde brands mentioned in this essay. The likes of Miyaki, Hussein, and Wang like to use the idea of surprise and the unexpected to influence their collections and create unique and expressive pieces.

After a lot of experimentation and placement processes, the final design has been molded into a large pair of Chandelier earrings, to really capture the representation of the subject title: ‘hand and machine.’ The thought behind the design was to create structured pieces and place them together in a very hand rendered and layered way, almost like the creation of architecture, trying to create a piece that is unusual but thoroughly thought through.

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PEER REVIEWS

LAURA HARDING (LAURASHANNONHRDING)

‘The thorough research into Hand and Machine has allowed Holly to create a piece of jewelry that fully represents an object which needs both hand and machine to continually exist. 

After being inspired by designers and artists such as McQueen, Holly has produced a very avant-garde piece; the way she has played with shapes is very inventive and I love the unusual and futuristic look it gives the wearer. I feel as though Holly has created a piece that would gain a lot of positive attention from media.’

MORGAN OTTEWELL (MLOTTEWELL)

Holly has a strong development of research, which is extremely in-depth, showing she has a clear understanding of her title- Hand and Machine. She has created detailed samples, making it clear what she was planning to do to develop the accessory. I like how Holly has used other inspiration such as the earrings worn by Katie Perry, as well as machine based accessories. The work flows well and i can easily see where her ideas are coming from alongside the clear step by step development.

EMILY MCKENZIE (EMILYMCKENZIECOP)

‘Your research is really thorough and in-depth, I like how you've looked at a range of sources and designers which relate to your theme well. You've produced a lot of design development and the documentation of your thought process is clear. I really like how you've looked at numerous other existing accessories which helped to inspire you to create your final accessory. I love how you chose to laser cut the cogs for your earrings because it shows how technology can be used to manufacture a product, it really helps to summarise your theme of hand and machine. Your final images show the accessory really well and the reference to your research is really clear.’

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Looking at the idea of developing layers and densities with differently sized dimensions in the width and individual size of the cogs. However, I feel the idea of creating a chandelier is more elegant, stylish and works more conceptually with my final design.

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It is true that in France, women put on less things. If they have a necklace, they don't put on earrings; if they have nail polish, they don't put on all their rings and all their bracelets.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ines_de_la_fressange_536009?src=t_earrings

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Inspiration- the idea of oversized earrings using different size compartments developed- and looking into the idea of mix-matched earrings, different sizes, and combinations.

Source: www.pinterest.com

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Part of my development, creating different combinations and compositions to be developed into my chosen accessory. 

Idea 1. belt

idea 2. headpiece 

idea 3.  earrings 

idea 4. neckpiece 

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cog in the wheel Someone or something that is functionally necessary but of small significance or importance within a larger operation or organization.

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+cog+in+the+wheel

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Experimenting with wood and laser cutting to create different sized and proportioned cogs. 

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“I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it”

Alexander McQueen

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Sampling hand-rendered techniques to configure the perfect hand and machine combination.

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The individual has become a mere cog in an enormous organization of things and powers which tear from his hands all progress, spirituality, and value in order to transform them from their subjective form into the form of a purely objective life.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/georg_simmel_305006?src=t_cog

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Hand made and original idea of hand rendered pieces inspired by cogs.

Source: www.pinterest.com

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If we have a purpose in life beyond being a cog in the human machine, mine is to help inspire people and that's pretty cool. I would like to motivate the world.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/steve_gleason_545999?src=t_cog

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Research into cog designs.

source: www.pinterest.com

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The notion of “craft” has taken quite a beating over the past hundred years or so.  Enthusiasts of craft production are routinely cast as ineffectual utopians or hopeless Romantics, vainly attempting to turn back the hands of time.  Since the mid-nineteenth century, at least, “industry” and “progress” have been more or less equated in the public mind’

Cardoso, R. (2010)‘Craft versus Design: moving beyond a tired dichotomy’ in Adamson, pages 321 – 332

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The cog can be related back to early BC when men had no machines or technology. the idea of creating something so influential by hand and developing it into the core parts to many mechanical items today is phenomenal. this is an early representation of man and machine working together to shape how we see the world today. 

I want to look into how I could create something mechanical or engineered to harmonize alongside the hand and hand rendering of products.

Source: www.pinterest.com

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Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding.

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/louis_v_gerstner_jr_130528?src=t_machine