Blast IT!...

After the initial cutting and peeling, all that was left was taking it over to the sand blasting machine to frost up the exposed areas and to reveal the final imagery.

Peeling final layer...

Final magery...

Time to light it up!...

ExperimentS...

After a brief design freeze, I started experimenting with acrylic plastics in terms of scale and thickness'. The consideration of incorporating other materials such as glass is still an option for now depending on the outcome of the acrylic. Glass would be a contender due to its similarity in transparancy and lighting effect, but the fact that its glass gives it whole new demension in terms of class and the sheer fact that most people would be more interested in displaying a glass mantel-type piece rather than plastic...or would they? If you have any suggestions or thoughts on this, feel free to help a brother out...Soifua...

After the drawing on it, the painful process of cutting it out commences...

Peeling of the back-strip to reveal the engrave pattern...

TAA-DAAAaa!!!...

Other concepts...

Ready for sand blasting...

Whats your ANIMAL?...

People born under the sign of Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They are hardworking and consequently often financially wealthy. And are likely to be perfectionists. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. The Rat is very social and has many friends who he supports in generous ways. The family is important; a Rat is loyal to his family and will fight for it if needed. Corresponding Western sign is Sagittarius.

People born under the sign of Ox are patient, taciturn, and inspire confidence in others. They tend to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they are remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. Corresponding Western sign is Capricorn.

People born under the sign of Tiger are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Corresponding Western sign is Aquarius.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. Corresponding Western sign is Pisces.

People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. Corresponding Western sign is Aries.

People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have martial problems because they are fickle. Corresponding Western sign is Taurus.

People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. The are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. Corresponding Western sign is Gemini.

People born in the Year of Sheep are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the zodiac's other years. But sheep year people are often shy, pessimistic, and puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature. Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Sheep people never have to worry about having the best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able to enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Sheep people are wise, gentle, and compassionate. Corresponding Western sign is Cancer.

People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. Corresponding Western sign is Leo.

People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people's emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. Corresponding Western sign is Virgo.

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. Corresponding Western sign is Libra.

People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. Corresponding Western sign is Scorpio.

Further DEVELOPMENTS...

Just thinking about not only having Feng Shui related signs and symbols, but also expand to the other factions of the Chinese culture such as star signs related to the 'Zodiac Calender' (12 animals) and elemental symbolism (fire, water, wood, metal and earth). These could be adopted in to my design concept of symbolism through lighting and could be interchangeable in terms of swoping these acrylic slabs depending ton the time of day/month/year. Just something to think about...You stay classy...

Whats NEXT?...

Well, after some research into cultural factors such beliefs and superstitions revolving around 'Feng Shui', I decided to mimic an existing product but to inject some designer features in to it that would not only boost its overall image aesthethically but maintain its cutural meaning which is very important. As discussed earlier, i mentioned an interest in the scrolls and banners hung from house/apartment walls that symbolised wealth, well-being etc...I wish to endeavour this aspect further by implementing an 'Acrylic' version that would have a light source (preferably an LED) shinning from the bottom that would create a illuminating effect. It would be a feature in the room rather than a light itself that would have the desired messege/image/symbol either laser cut or sand blasted on the acrylic surface in which the light would coincide and illuminate this feature further. In terms of scale, it has'nt yet been decided nor the issue of it being a set piece on a table or hung on a wall but all will be decided in due time...yea thats it for now aye stay tuned for more HombreZz...

For info on 'Feng Shui' visit 'www.fengshui.com/'

Tha VERDICT...

After the 'jump starter' with the group research tasks, I took into account the various elements of Chinese cultures and traditions. One that stood out for me like a sore thumb was the scrolls and banners that were hung up in homes/apartments symbolising aspects of good luck and well-being etc...I made a comparason of other existing products on the market that had a western influence but had lost its deeper essence in which it had been 'europeanized' to the point were the other half had been neglected. In this brief I wish to produce a product that has been extracted from the Chinese culture and modernize it not the point where the concept itself is lost and one demensional but rather compensate both aspects aesthetically whilst bearing in mind its awareness culturally...aiiight. SpaniolloZz OUT!

Designing for CH-CH-CH-CHINA...

Well it goes a'lil something like this...

Over the next 15-20 years more people will migrate to China’s cities for higher paying jobs. These working consumers once the country’s poorest will steadily climb the income ladder, creating a new and massive middle class. By around 2011 the lower middle class will number some 290 million people representing 44% or the urban population. A second transition is projected to occur in the following decade when hundreds of millions will join the upper middle class. By 2025 this segment will comprise of 520 million people – more than half the expected urban population of China.

The second biggest IKEA store in the world after the Stockholm flagship store is in Beijing, China. IKEA like other furniture and furnishing retailers is hoping to cash in on the millions of new home buyers and they stand to profit from twin trends in China, both government-supported - millions of families buying new homes and, official efforts to drive economic growth by boosting consumer spending. IKEA, which in addition to the Beijing and Shanghai outlets has a store in the southern city of Guangzhou, plans to have a total of 10 stores within five years, including expansion to the country's west with an outlet being built in the city of Chengdu.

The government started the trend moving in the late 1990s when, hoping to get state companies out of the business of housing their workers, it prodded families to buy homes, offering low-cost mortgages or bargain prices on older apartments. Coupled with rising urban incomes, that set off a building boom in the late 1990s in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities, with developers putting up forests of high-rises with thousands of new apartments. Decorating a home has become a cultural phenomenon, driving the creation of the career of Chinese interior designer and a crop of home-decor magazines with the latest in European design. Estimates of the size of China's home improvement market range from $15 billion to as much as $40 billion, with growth forecast at 10 to 20 percent a year. The government says overall retail sales rose nearly 13 percent in 2005.