What’s your preference: Pixels or Pencils?

Brief: “Hello World” the birth of your RGB Arduino Character 

As part of the new module ‘Ways of making’ we have focussed on drawing as a way to become more aware of our surroundings.  We have also learnt simple coding using an Arduino board. To demonstrate our learning we were asked to create a character and a storyboard to tell their story.

Origami model of a fox with wings

Origami elephants

After some sketching and modelling I decided to create a flying elephant – for my final model I used handmade paper and wooden sticks for extra strength.

For the storyboard I decided to tell the story of how my elephant got its wings and reflect the process of using an Arduino board (connecting components and using a power source). I also tried to represent the RGB colour system in the creation of the wings.

Origami elephant with wings

Elephant sat on box

Pixels or Pencils?

At school the focus was on drawing designs by hand.  At GCSE I used SketchUp to show a small part of my design but not until I had finalised the design and started construction. At A-Level  CAD was used solely to use the laser cutter not as another way to present design.

Personally, I find pencil drawing more immediate than CAD, but CAD does give a new perspective on the design. I also find making physical models really useful as a means of exploring the technical side of the design and how it will interact with the real world.  For me, pencils can’t be replaced but pixels do bring a new perspective.

Storyboard: How the elephant got its wings