DESIGN NAME: Spinning Top
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Toy
INSPIRATION: This spinning top was inspired by the structure of a flower. The petals look so organized and diversified. It seems there is a rule inside. The beauty seems weightless and floating in the air.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is to create a volumetric spinning top that floats in the air. It applies air-ventilated design. The hollow body is enhanced more by using transparent and switchable sphere as the pivot. The sphere pivot is not fixed to the body.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: People just put fingers on the body and spin without a handler in the middle. It may last as long as one minute. Anyone can flip the body to reveal another pattern of spin. The visual continuity will be different as the tops are arranged differently. You can switch to a larger sphere for a more anti-gravity floating experience in the air.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: This project started as early as 2019 in Taipei. Various types of configuration were explored in several on-and-off tests before a particular setting was determined. The specific set was finalized in 2022.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: There is a strong connection between the aesthetics of a flower and the order of mathematics. This desktop toy and installation was parametrically designed and later created using a three dimensional printer. The interchangeable handler offered me a great freedom to design the body and select appropriate sphere for it. The design also opened up a new combination of vocabulary during the creation process.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: This is a modular package of four with interchangeable spherical detachable pivots. The size is about 120 mm in diameter and 38 mm in thickness. Each one was three dimensional printed using photosensitive resin.
TAGS: toy, desktop installation, flower pedal, symbolic texture, 3C devices
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The volumetric body was enriched by parametric design. Same vocabulary of element was applied in a parametric layout and orientation. The precisely printed objects enabled a better weight distribution to improve spinning balance. Supporting structure in rapid prototyping had to be removed carefully to reach a better balance. The detachable pivot is also critical for a longer spin.
CHALLENGE: It was a great challenge to create a modular design of parts without complicated switching procedures. It was also a challenge to create an anti-gravity design to elevate the body above surface. An easy access of different sphere sizes was enabled as the handler.
ADDED DATE: 2022-03-20 07:41:12
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Naai-Jung Shih
IMAGE CREDITS: Naai-Jung Shih, 2021.
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