1) The document summarizes a technology workshop on laser cutting held at the University of Technology Sydney. 2) It describes the learning process of the workshop participant, which involved seminars on laser cutting techniques, research on fractal geometry and laser-cut art, and designing and testing a laser-cut lamp shade project. 3) The project development process is outlined, from initial sketches and mockups to AutoCad drawings, illustrations, and the final fractal-patterned lamp shade design.

1. technology workshop
University of Technology of Sydney
M a s t e r o f D e s i g n
LAS E R C U T T I N G
L A M P S H A D E
design . research . technology . materials
SUBJECT: 89108 Technology Workshop _ LECTURER: Aaron Saymour _ DATE: 14 - 06 - 2011

2. Introduction
Being an Industrial Designer I have been around
manufacturing processes since the beginning
of my bachelor years. I have had the experi-
ence of working with many types of machinery
from a pedestal saw in a small workshop all
the way to CNC machines in a big factory. In
this regard this is one of the things I love
most about this profession. Moreover, I think
that this Master has been quite theoretical in
almost every subject which I certainly find it
uninteresting and not very educational.
Therefore, doing this subject has been a great
experience. Both entertaining and educative
where I had lot of fun working with and learnt
a lot of new thing that I did not know about.
Laser cutting has always been something that I
am interested in but haven´t got the chance to
explore enough and get my hands on the job.
This report shows all the process of the Tech-
nology Workshop subject through its Laser
Cutting seminars, all the learning and re-
search process, the entire the design process
as well as my personal reflections through-
out the course.
89108 technology workshop

3. Learning Process
This process belonged to different fields
developed in different stages. Most of
the knowledge came from the seminars and
classes held at the studio which involved
some lectures and a lot of cutting and
testing with the laser cutter. The learn-
ing process outside the workshop involved
research in libraries and internet, visit-
ing some furniture and lamp stores and
also the learning from designing, testing
and redesigning process.
89108 technology workshop

4. exploration and inspiration
Artist Scott Campbell
research
fractal geometry
laser cutting art
industrial design
graphic design David Dessens
Foldable Fractals
GenerationX Workshop
industrial design
interior design
t e c h n o l o g y
i n n o v a t i o n
m a t e r i a l s
89108 technology workshop

5. Eunsuk Hur
MA Design for Textile
Futures
research Interior Design and
Fashion Design
Fractal Gelometry
Tamara Rushlow
Designer
Geometry Pattern
89108 technology workshop

6. Design Process
studio workshop
This process started at the studio getting
inspiration from the laser cutting tour and
learning how the machine works. Additionally
working and testing with materials like paper
and tyvek also gave me inspiration and I already
started developing some ideas.
Some of the original ideas were a key ring of
my wife´s clothing shop cutting the shape of
the logo on acrylic or even plywood. Another
idea was to further develop my naval design
project by manufacturing the hull of the yacht
with the laser cutter. In this regard, it is
ideal to cut the hull sections because the hull
geometry is a very complex three-dimensional
shape. The third motivation was to blend
geometry exploration with product design by
creating a lamp shade applying fractal
geometry concepts. After tasting some of the
ideas with the laser cutter, getting feedback
and my personal reflections a lot of insights
and new concepts came out.
As a consequence, the idea of developing the
lamp was the final choice as the workshop
project.
89108 technology workshop

7. i d e at i o n a n d e x p e r i m e n tat i o n
DRAWINGS_SKETCHES_MUCKUPS
89108 technology workshop

8. testing
design & redisign
refine & retest
89108 technology workshop

9. project development
H A N G I N G L A M P S H A D E
89108 technology workshop

10. design process
AutoCad drawings
89108 technology workshop

11. Final Design
From AutoCad to Illustrator.
89108 technology workshop

12. Final thoughts
Laser cutting can be an amazing tool in the process
of design. To gain the ability to work with it is un-
doubtedly a major achievement. Moreover, doing this
subject was a great and very inspiring experience.
Drawing sketches, creating concepts and designing
there with the machine are the processes that I love
most when designing. In this regard, this subject cer-
tainly had what the others subject lacked.
89108 technology workshop