Aluminium & Perspex Sketch Modelling

Process & Production

Sketch modelling using mixed materials is a useful way to create three dimensional models of your design work. 

In this miniature chair series, I first designed on paper before moving to heavy duty or dense cardboard cut-outs. Then, using a jewellers piercing saw, I neatly cut out each planar component by following a paper pattern I had glued to a cardboard sheet. The edges of the cardboard sheet were then sanded on a belt-sanding machine to make them crisp and perfectly finished. The cardboard planar cut-outs were employed as reusable planar templates when it came to working in aluminium and Perspex sheet.

The metal components were filed and sanded. The Perspex components were filed, sanded, and polished. 

The component parts were then assembled following my logical construction plan. The connections are made using tubing and pressure fit rivets. This provided a clean and simple way to create a solid chair form. It also means I can deconstruct the chairs and keep them as a flat pack model. I can also vary the material, shape and form of the cut outs to create multiple alternative chair variations. 

I love this sketch modelling method because it is so quick and effective.