Casting process

 The silicon molding process allows multiple resin casts. Mixing the silicon to develop a two part mold. Allow a 24 hr drying period. (remember 10% hardener and butter to lubricate the two parts.)

Model for casting (prototype melvin)

 Developed shape using a multitude of tools to manipulate the sculpy polished edges using water. (always lie model down as the clay sweats when being baked)..

3D Design ideas

To get an idea of form I used Photoshop techniques to inflate my objects to get an impression of form in the character. Although I I will be interested to see how these images change in the 3D mold process.














I used the same technique to see if the head would work
as a 3D object.

Illustrator sketches

A simple design was needed to get a general idea of shape thinking about my sketches I had drawn for my first ideas. As my idea was based around a robot it was good to draw it in a block format.  










Using Adobe Illustrator I began to re-drawn my ideas concentrating with my ideas of a KAWAII feel as my design was to be a two part piece I wanted to design both the head and the body as I can use this as a colour sheet later.

 Adding colour to the design, using childish colours adds to the cute 'KAWAII' theme although I think block colour will be used in the final design enabling individual artistic freedom .

intial sketches

To start my design process it seemed important to play with shape as many of the toys designed for the market are made up of simple shapes. Using simple shapes means the molding process will be less complex resulting in a more concise final product.

Adding character to the product. These outline sketches enabled me to manipulate line to add emotion to hte piece also reusing techniques on the market eventually leading to my own developments of ideas.

Adding these ideas together has created some different ideas tying in with my proposal although I have not found my final design at this point. Further manipulation of shape are need hopefully to create a more simple design with a kawaii effect. Moving into Illustrator and designing with shape my help this process.

Intial moodboard

Looking at shape and colour to help design ideas. Clean round lines are trends I have found through research simple shape is important as the product needs to be held, touch will add to the aesthetics of the piece. A lot of ideas seem to be based on bulky imposing shapes alongside childlike use of colour achieving eye catching results. 

Proposal

My aim in this project is to design a resin toy for mass production the toy will be designed for a collector market. The product must suit the contemporary market as well as add new ideas to an already flooded arena. It is important to create character to the toy through packaging and background imagination, to create a desirability for the product achievable through research processes and process development. My initial ideas are to create a hybrid creature amalgamating animals to create an evolving mutant. Moreover the creature my have a Kawaii feel to co inside with the dynamics of the market today.