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1. State of the Art: Project Management and Documentation

Inspiration for Fabricademy

As I embark on my Fabricademy journey, I’m fueled by the innovative works of contemporary artists and designers. My current interests lie in speculation, particularly its applications in contemporary art, design, and material research. I am fascinated by the concept of fictioning—designing for diverse worlds, whether utopian, dystopian, or posthuman, and how storytelling through objects reflects collective wisdom and cultural production.
Some artists inspiring me include:

  • Marguerite Humeau: FOXP2 (2017)
  • OXMAN: Project Lazarus (2016)
  • Hannah Imlach: Folding Glacial Boat (2014)
  • Pakui Hardware: Underbelly (2019)

Additionally, I’m keen on incorporating interactive and immersive elements into my sculptures using electronics, soft robotics, and e-textiles. The kinetic works of Casey Curran, Studio Drift, Jason Bruges, and William Darrell inspire my exploration of movement and sensory experience. I am particularly drawn to the interdisciplinary approach of Iris Van Herpen and her exploration of the human body through performance and sculpture.

Material Exploration

I have a strong interest in the aesthetic properties of biomaterials, particularly those that change states or demonstrate temporality. I aim to investigate material metamorphosis and how our environment and bodies continuously hybridize. Artists such as Sophie Mei Birkin, Urte Janus, and Delphine Lejeune resonate with my focus on processes like decomposition and crystallization.

Documentation Workflow

In our first week, we familiarized ourselves with various platforms to document our work and facilitate communication. These include:

  • Fablabs.io: A global network of labs.
  • GitLab: Hosting our documentation websites.
  • NuEval: For evaluations and feedback.
  • Mattermost: For communication on assignments.

We also learned about visual documentation and how to build personal websites. This process involves understanding HTML and Markdown, which helps us create user-friendly documentation.

Key Takeaways

Assignment Criteria for Week 1

  • Build a documentation website detailing personal motivation for joining the Fabricademy.
  • Upload documentation to the project page.
  • Include references and research on areas of interest.
  • Learn to upload media and customize the website.

Inspiration for Customization

I found inspiration in alumni pages for clear layout and effective documentation. Notable influences include:

  • Riley Cox: Image compilation and captioning.
  • Emma Picanyol: Visually appealing layouts.
  • Alberte Bojesen: Striking visuals.
  • Asli Aksan: Clear documentation structure.

Getting Started with Coding

Initially intimidated by web development, I learned that:

  • A website is built on HTML code.
  • Markdown simplifies the editing process.
  • CSS enhances styling beyond templates.

Tools Utilized

  • Markdown
  • MkDocs
  • Jekyll
  • TinyPNG

Uploading Media

Instructions for uploading various media types, including images, videos, and PDFs, were also covered, enabling seamless integration into our websites.

CSS Customization

I learned to edit CSS for enhanced styling, including:

  • Changing colors and fonts.
  • Centering images.
  • Aligning text.

This journey is just beginning, and I look forward to exploring the intersections of technology, art, and design.