This virtual space is an extension of AEAH 3770 Computer Art Applications and will be used to record class discussions and ongoing conservations relating to the course.
So many kids struggle with getting the ideas in their head out in an artistic form. Reprap could bridge the gap. In Reprap, students would be forced to recognize the relationship between the 2D screen and the 3D form that comes out. This could help with their ability to create art in other forms. I think that kids should start out with a basic form, and then progress from there. The big thing with reprap is that they are trying to making functional objects, but it could also be used to make non-objective sculpture (or functional art as well). The possibilities are endless.
I would like to design a lesson that contrasts tactile sculpture with REPRAP printing. Students will conceptualize/design an alternative animal that combines biological characteristics of three animals that the student particularly enjoys (ex. an ant-eater's nose with an octopus' ability to shoot ink and an stork's legs). First the students will sculpt their ideas by hand with super sculpey. Then students will program their concepts and REPRAP print their animals. Students will conclude by exploring the differences in process, product, and self-valuation of either medium.
Here is the video of an ink jet printer that made a functional mouse heart.
http://youtu.be/NeJPBuBEJ50
Here is a clip from the same Nova special that featured the ink jet printer but with a little different process. A type of scafold for the structure of the organ and it is covered in a person or animal's cells that grow and create a working organ. Don't let the ominous music fool you, it is pretty amazing. You can see the whole show if you have Netflix.
http://youtu.be/lfqxbwbjw00
Also, I just wanted to mention that with enough innovation printers like the reprap can print using other materials. The process is much like soldering metals and it's just the matter of finding a way to compact other materials and finding the temperature to meld the material together. If you can do this you can find a way to recycle materials to deal with any hording issues and possibly city dump issues. I don't know about you, but I could do without the 5pm trash smell sweeping cities when the wind is just right.
3D printing already being used as an "art medium":
Typography as form - literally: http://youtu.be/R4wvv6Sh0ng
Ceramic printing: http://youtu.be/_c0C8w_LdYM
Metalsmithing: http://youtu.be/i6Px6RSL9Ac
This is a website where you can make your own plans and everything and then order your object to be printed: http://www.shapeways.com
--
I know I said my initial response is that the whole thing is stupid... but I'll rescind my reactionary statement and say this instead:
I don't think there is a huge demand for this, nor do I think we need it. It's a cool thing, I'm sure it will be a novelty for a long time, and I think it would be awesome to have in a classroom. There's a lot of ways that this could become a medium for expression, allowing students to make the connections between 2-dimensional plans and drawings and the 3-dimensional form.
If we consider how many students may be interested in art-related careers like architecture and drafting, there's a huge potential for this as a vocational tool as well. Teaching students to transfer ideas as we would in teaching sculpture or other 3D forms, but using technology.
In the end, that's really what it comes down to — it's not all that different from any form of sculpture, except that it requires extensive and very detailed planning ahead of time by creating models and plans.
I'm sure kids would learn a lot, so I'm convinced as far as using it for an art education classroom. I'm NOT so convinced about it being used as a commercial product. Not yet, anyway.
I think it is kind of hilarious how everyone was saying things like “oh that’s ridiculous, it will never happen, no way, it’s not even a slight possibility.” And yeah it totally seems that way now, something super drastic would have to happen to make this the norm, but it will happen. It is how the world is going to be run in the future. It might have a different name, and it will be far improved, and you will have to pay for it in one way or another, but it will happen. Almost every single syfi book or movie or whatever has something extremely similar to this. Weather it be “Back To The Futures” instant-food-microwave, or in Scott Westerfeild's book series “Uglys” where food and clothing pops out of a wall, synthesized just for you, and everything is a single use only object, or tons of other examples. Everyone is fascinated with being able to press one button and have anything you could ever want materialize from thin air. Since this is such a futuristic machine, why not have a futuristic themed project?
I think it would be interesting to use the RepRap to talk about all these things and what the kids think about it, basically like what we did in class. Kids love to talk. They would have to apply all the random tidbits of knowledge they have acquired and filter it out to come up with an intelligent and relevant position.
After they have had a class period to talk about this, I think it would be awesome to base a project off of just that. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be an inventor and make all these super cool ridiculous things that would make life easier or more interesting. I think a good project would be to design a product as if they lived 500 years in the future. They will have to decide what kind of future the world will have, what sorts of design styles will be relevant, and what sorts of objects will be in demand. They would then research on the computer in order to come up with ideas of how the world is going to turn out, what art themes are universal and never go out of style, and many other things in order to explain and narrow down their concept. Have them learn how to use whatever fancy program it is that generates the plans that RepRap needs to create the object and have them literally invent their Product for the Future. Thy can tailor their project into something completely personal that fits their needs, wants, expectations, and interests. After the RepRap has printed out, they can take Acrylic paint, or whatever medium they want really, and decorate it as they see fit. Kids are always wishing and inventing crazy impossible things. Why not let them actualize it.
Instead if a critique at the end of the project, you could have a sort of museum exhibition show for all their products and have them explain and sell their idea. It would be much more interactive and engaging than just sitting at their desks all class long.
WOW! I loved your idea about making a 'Product of the Future.' It seems like it would be the perfect lesson to connect history, imagination, timeless art concepts, and many other things that affect the current curriculum. It would be really interesting to see what future problems the kids choose to consider in making their product and it's function.
I absolutely loved that reprap is a technology that will allow students to manipulate 2D plans and write ups which will in turn cultivate their thinking skills to be able to choose the best plan they formulate to finally make 3D. I feel if they are given this type of a slow down from a frantic information overload in everyday life it will advocate for a contemplative thought process which will produce the best results.
to apply this machine to a k-12 setting I would encourage the student to first review what they NEED or want most. This will be old-timey but i think it's important for the student to really be cognizant of their options and the way something as small as an art project can impact their lives. onto step two of planning what parts they need the reprap to synthesize they will be taught to express their 2D thoughts in 3D planning. seeing problems in a new way such as this will help them to think of every facet of a problem and formulate a solution most satisfactory for them. through all these steps the student will be able to make applicable all concepts learned through their art making to every day situations for a general benefit to the population.
I definitely agree that this would help teach students problem solving in how to plan out their 3D approach to solve a 2D problem. That's a good way to look at it.
I think having a REPRAP in a school setting would be fantastic.
It could show children what innovation looks like. It could inspire them to try and create whatever is in their minds. I think it would be really interesting to see what the kids could come up with after they see that it can self-replicate. It would even be a fun project to actually build another REPRAP with the current one they had. What types of changes and modifications could be made would be a really interesting biproduct of having the children make it.
It would also give the children the opportunity to have something tangible that was once in their minds. That has always been a problem for me. I have all of these great ideas in my head but don't have the tools to make it a reality. I'm not saying that the REPRAP would make them all a reality but it could definitely help get there.
There are a lot of other school budget issues that could be solved. The amount of plastic hardware that schools are buying constantly could be replaced with objects that the REPRAP could make. It would be more cost efficient in making chairs, tables, coat hooks, shoe racks, playground equipment, instruments for music, art tools, and many more. These would all be available for the kids to make themselves and customize their learning experience.
I was one of the students who initially disliked the mass production of reprap. I do find that the more I think about it the more I think it would be effective in the classroom. If teachers were the sole users, the classroom could be a place where students learn 3D skills as well as 2D skills. To quote spiderman "with great power comes great responsibility." Reprap can do a lot of good as well as a lot of bad. If you put it into the hands of the right people then it could be effective. We as art educators could use it to show objects in 3D which could benefits our students understanding of objects in 2D. Also, one of our students could go on to make the reprap machine part of their artist identity and use it to create art for the rest of their lives. Socially I am opposed to the reprap being mass produced, but educationally I think we have a lot to learn from it and could use it to teach in many different ways.
If reprap was to be massproduced, I'd still be against it (not saying that it never will, but that's besides the point). A lot of classmates have been pointing out the pros to having it in a classroom setting, and in that sense, I can deal with that to an extent.
I don't know what I can add to the conversation that hasn't said before, but to be able to help students to see 3-D as well as 2-D is something I can see being extremely beneficial. Coming from someone who had no prior introduction to 3-D, learning it in my earlier school days would have enlightened me sooner. haha. But to see students' excitement when they create an object on paper, recreate it on some program from school, and then see it come to life... i can see it being an experience they wouldn't be able to forget. the students would have a whole different way to create, which is never something that should be kept from them.
however, even if an art teacher was to come by one of these machines, there would always be the problem of time and budget- how long will it take to create student inventions. if not a long amount of time, how much money will the school or teacher be able to provide towards keeping the reprap running?
I don't believe this a good idea for artists themselves to use this device for the creation of art because I love the idea of something being made by your own hands. This is the reason I love ceramics so much because the satisfaction and gratification of hand making something is absolutely amazing. However, in a class setting especially lower levels like elementary, this technology is a great tool. Kids will be able to conceive an idea in 2D and see it become a 3D object. I think this tool could be very inspiring to kids, especially those who don't have any interest in art initially. Sparking the imagination in a child is a very important part of art education.
I see both good and bad in this idea. Beginning with the bad, would be that art students would become lazier and only use what the machine created as their art. However, if they used the machine to build the precise pieces of an overall piece they designed, the possibilities would grow. I can see how this invention could influence the growth of functional kinetic art. I find this art very unique and fun, but if you are not perfectly precise with gears and pieces, it turns into a nightmare you'll never want to do again. However, the Reprap could make this process more fun and easy, and therefore help art educators.
The REP RAP technology is essentially a cool children's project. They developed something that has no successful predecessor and everyone is like "wow, oh my gosh this will change the world forever!" Yes, it will change the world but not for the better. People will lose their jobs due to the fact that this new machine can create anything that they used to create. The only people who will have jobs are those that come up with the original idea that the machine then copies. What will everyone else do, how will the economy be effected if it survives at all? Are people supposed to sit in their house all day and make the things they want on a whim out of plastic? What will then become of the human race's claim to innovation and creativity if it stops there? Also, people WILL create weapons and harm other people, it'll be just that much easier for them to get their hands on weapons. One might suggest that we censor what people look up online and flag when people view such things, but of course that brings up privacy and rights. People are simply excited by the idea of a machine that can reproduce anything in plastic, and they simply aren't thinking of the repercussions that WILL result from introducing such a technology to the masses. HOWEVER!! We all know that NO government would ever allow such a technology to enter the market of the masses without stipulation, if they would even allow it at all.
I think the RipRap machine is really neat and something that would be really great for classroom use. It would be a bit pricey but I think having a student make a sketch of something and be able to bring it into a 3D program and then actually be able to hold it in their hand is WONDERFUL! Plus, they would be able to create more complected works with this machine.
My comment button isn't working, so I am going to "Reply" here for my comment.
I think that the Rep-Rap machine sounds like an amazing new technology. The most amazing part about it is that it can recreate itself by making its own parts. Although I am sure that the machine will end up being owned by a company, and production will not be as cheap as the designers intend, I feel like having this technology is worth it for our development. For less creative people, I can also imagine websites being make were you can buy a certain blueprint for something you want, for example, designer glasses frames, and it'll just print off for you. Rep-Rap can help you produce multiple amount of plastic objects that you can use around the house, as an art project, or for pretty much anything. For people who think that it would hurt our society with mass production or that people would do something harmful with it, is a ridiculous reason to dislike technology. If people want to do something harmful, they can by using pretty much anything. There should be a bit more faith in humanity as a whole, especially when it comes to amazing technology that would benefit us.
In terms of how it could benefit art education, the possibilities for saving money on plastics are endless. School supplies: folders, binders, pens, paperclips, push pins, scissors, dry erase boards. In the cafeteria: forks, spoons, trays, plates, bowls. This is not even considering the school supplies that are recyclable/ can be supplied and produced by a riprap.
In terms of a higher art education, rip tap would be useful for individuals who want to experiment with parts that can be made from plastic. For example, a jewelry design major can play/experiment with a material without having to go to the store to get more essential supplies. Another example could be for a painting major. Sometimes we run out of containers, brushes, easels- if a school were to invest in a riprap that could supply students with not only in-class materials but also take-home materials,then we could be encouraging students to go further in creativity because the materials would be literally endless.
Ok so I love the idea of the RIP RAP. However I would like to know what happens when it breaks down. How do you repair it, I mean you cant print more parts because its broke and cant print its own parts. So do you hire someone to come in and fix it or what. I totally think that it could be used in education especially to make props for projects like the ones we are working on. I do wonder at the effect it would have on the environment. would it cause more waste?
I wonder if you can make one large enough to create furniture? If so that would be so cool. we could create our own designs and never have to be like any one else.
My personal opinion about the Reprap machine is pretty much open minded. I still think it sounds rather silly. To have this "machine" at home where we can create anything out of plastic, I don't really know what items or objects that one would need instantly at home, to need a certain machine. Now, if this machine could create paper like products I can see that being useful. Like for example a school could benefit from such a machine, to make paper for classrooms and office use. Even still such machines could be beneficial for that need, but at the same time a company or school system would have to expend money for what items the machine needs. So, if this machine only can create simple products from plastic or paper, then it really wouldn't be a worth while or a necassary expense for a company. So, I am not trying to bring down an idea or a machine. I think any idea of a machine should always be something to keep an open mind to, but I do think this machine is unnecassary.
I feel like Reprap is a good teaching tool overall, although I do see how some can dislike it in a sense. As kid's minds are developing and they're beginning to think in different ways, I believe Reprap could definitely be a tool to help nurture this. When thinking about a 2D idea or concept in 3D, it can be difficult- even now as adults. Using the machine in the classroom could expand their knowledge on how things can be put together which all in all leads to a higher level of comprehension. It can also be a good tool to use because it's considered such a new and upcoming technology; kids in this day and age benefit greatly by becoming associated with tools like Reprap, and it can only help them in this technologically filled world.
I think that the RIPRAP is pretty sweet. I would like one. I feel like you could design some pretty cool things with it. Check out this link http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/machines-creating-machines-181919022.html
Also view the comments below they are interesting perspectives. I don’t know if I would use this type of machine to create art but it would come in handy right now because I need a new pick guard for my guitar.
I think that i would be nice to be able to teach about this technology in an art classroom environment but actually having one in a school is a rather lavish idea. The things that you could make with this machine could indeed evoke creativity by working through drafting programs but for someone without an engineering background to be able to use this machine to full potential is completely unrealistic. These type of machines have been around for years and are used in a manufacturing setting by highly trained and educated people. I like the idea of introducing this field of work to students so that they might find out if this is the path that they wish to go down for college. In reality, for a school to maintain and own one of these repraps as well as material for it would be an expense way beyond the budgets of art programs. Preparatory schools for students wanting to go into scientific fields are where i believe this type of machine would be most useful and appreciated.
I guess reprap would be cool. I don't see it being a huge success, but lord knows I could be wrong. As many others have said, it would definitely be interesting to have in a classroom to help kids wrap their minds around making 2D into 3D, which is still hard for me sometimes. It would also be really exciting for the kids, but I just don't see the point of it being in every home all the time. Being in an art class makes sense to me, but not everywhere else. Of course, being on a spaceship makes sense, and making organs makes sense, but in the typical home I just don't see the need. Maybe once it can make electronic product, it would be more useful. I guess if I were to implement this machine in a classroom, I would have them create a moving sculpture in 2D and then modify them on the computer and print them out, but I think in this lesson they would lose the hands on feeling of making something. I guess I'm a bit of a traditionalist though.
I'll stick to my previous statement of REPRAP being 'the Linux of manufacturing'. It's cool to see home-made 3D printers, but it doesn't seem to be time or cost effecient, and is really just 'cool'. I don't think it could have a big impact positively or negatively, but I think it's cool to see that some people are having fun with it. It's neat to be able to design 3D objects and bring them in right where your at in a classroom or at home, so that is certainly a big aspect, but it's arguable about being worth the cost. Given the somewhat 'underground' field it's in, I think we'll see several interesting devices being made by it, but somewhat jokingly, probably (and eventually) just see a ton of custom tabletop gaming figures.
i think reprap is a cool concept and would be exciting for students to see the production. I think it is a little far fetched for younger grades. However, I think if children were able to turn their designs and drawings into 3d tangible products they would be very enthused and interested to learn more.
So many kids struggle with getting the ideas in their head out in an artistic form. Reprap could bridge the gap. In Reprap, students would be forced to recognize the relationship between the 2D screen and the 3D form that comes out. This could help with their ability to create art in other forms. I think that kids should start out with a basic form, and then progress from there. The big thing with reprap is that they are trying to making functional objects, but it could also be used to make non-objective sculpture (or functional art as well). The possibilities are endless.
ReplyDeleteI would like to design a lesson that contrasts tactile sculpture with REPRAP printing. Students will conceptualize/design an alternative animal that combines biological characteristics of three animals that the student particularly enjoys (ex. an ant-eater's nose with an octopus' ability to shoot ink and an stork's legs). First the students will sculpt their ideas by hand with super sculpey. Then students will program their concepts and REPRAP print their animals. Students will conclude by exploring the differences in process, product, and self-valuation of either medium.
ReplyDeleteHere is the video of an ink jet printer that made a functional mouse heart.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/NeJPBuBEJ50
Here is a clip from the same Nova special that featured the ink jet printer but with a little different process. A type of scafold for the structure of the organ and it is covered in a person or animal's cells that grow and create a working organ. Don't let the ominous music fool you, it is pretty amazing. You can see the whole show if you have Netflix.
http://youtu.be/lfqxbwbjw00
Also, I just wanted to mention that with enough innovation printers like the reprap can print using other materials. The process is much like soldering metals and it's just the matter of finding a way to compact other materials and finding the temperature to meld the material together. If you can do this you can find a way to recycle materials to deal with any hording issues and possibly city dump issues. I don't know about you, but I could do without the 5pm trash smell sweeping cities when the wind is just right.
That mouse heart just blew my mind.
Delete3D printing already being used as an "art medium":
ReplyDeleteTypography as form - literally:
http://youtu.be/R4wvv6Sh0ng
Ceramic printing:
http://youtu.be/_c0C8w_LdYM
Metalsmithing:
http://youtu.be/i6Px6RSL9Ac
This is a website where you can make your own plans and everything and then order your object to be printed:
http://www.shapeways.com
--
I know I said my initial response is that the whole thing is stupid... but I'll rescind my reactionary statement and say this instead:
I don't think there is a huge demand for this, nor do I think we need it. It's a cool thing, I'm sure it will be a novelty for a long time, and I think it would be awesome to have in a classroom. There's a lot of ways that this could become a medium for expression, allowing students to make the connections between 2-dimensional plans and drawings and the 3-dimensional form.
If we consider how many students may be interested in art-related careers like architecture and drafting, there's a huge potential for this as a vocational tool as well. Teaching students to transfer ideas as we would in teaching sculpture or other 3D forms, but using technology.
In the end, that's really what it comes down to — it's not all that different from any form of sculpture, except that it requires extensive and very detailed planning ahead of time by creating models and plans.
I'm sure kids would learn a lot, so I'm convinced as far as using it for an art education classroom. I'm NOT so convinced about it being used as a commercial product. Not yet, anyway.
I think it is kind of hilarious how everyone was saying things like “oh that’s ridiculous, it will never happen, no way, it’s not even a slight possibility.” And yeah it totally seems that way now, something super drastic would have to happen to make this the norm, but it will happen. It is how the world is going to be run in the future. It might have a different name, and it will be far improved, and you will have to pay for it in one way or another, but it will happen. Almost every single syfi book or movie or whatever has something extremely similar to this. Weather it be “Back To The Futures” instant-food-microwave, or in Scott Westerfeild's book series “Uglys” where food and clothing pops out of a wall, synthesized just for you, and everything is a single use only object, or tons of other examples. Everyone is fascinated with being able to press one button and have anything you could ever want materialize from thin air. Since this is such a futuristic machine, why not have a futuristic themed project?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to use the RepRap to talk about all these things and what the kids think about it, basically like what we did in class. Kids love to talk. They would have to apply all the random tidbits of knowledge they have acquired and filter it out to come up with an intelligent and relevant position.
After they have had a class period to talk about this, I think it would be awesome to base a project off of just that. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be an inventor and make all these super cool ridiculous things that would make life easier or more interesting. I think a good project would be to design a product as if they lived 500 years in the future. They will have to decide what kind of future the world will have, what sorts of design styles will be relevant, and what sorts of objects will be in demand. They would then research on the computer in order to come up with ideas of how the world is going to turn out, what art themes are universal and never go out of style, and many other things in order to explain and narrow down their concept. Have them learn how to use whatever fancy program it is that generates the plans that RepRap needs to create the object and have them literally invent their Product for the Future. Thy can tailor their project into something completely personal that fits their needs, wants, expectations, and interests. After the RepRap has printed out, they can take Acrylic paint, or whatever medium they want really, and decorate it as they see fit. Kids are always wishing and inventing crazy impossible things. Why not let them actualize it.
Instead if a critique at the end of the project, you could have a sort of museum exhibition show for all their products and have them explain and sell their idea. It would be much more interactive and engaging than just sitting at their desks all class long.
WOW! I loved your idea about making a 'Product of the Future.' It seems like it would be the perfect lesson to connect history, imagination, timeless art concepts, and many other things that affect the current curriculum. It would be really interesting to see what future problems the kids choose to consider in making their product and it's function.
DeleteI absolutely loved that reprap is a technology that will allow students to manipulate 2D plans and write ups which will in turn cultivate their thinking skills to be able to choose the best plan they formulate to finally make 3D. I feel if they are given this type of a slow down from a frantic information overload in everyday life it will advocate for a contemplative thought process which will produce the best results.
ReplyDeleteto apply this machine to a k-12 setting I would encourage the student to first review what they NEED or want most. This will be old-timey but i think it's important for the student to really be cognizant of their options and the way something as small as an art project can impact their lives. onto step two of planning what parts they need the reprap to synthesize they will be taught to express their 2D thoughts in 3D planning. seeing problems in a new way such as this will help them to think of every facet of a problem and formulate a solution most satisfactory for them. through all these steps the student will be able to make applicable all concepts learned through their art making to every day situations for a general benefit to the population.
I definitely agree that this would help teach students problem solving in how to plan out their 3D approach to solve a 2D problem. That's a good way to look at it.
DeleteI think having a REPRAP in a school setting would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt could show children what innovation looks like. It could inspire them to try and create whatever is in their minds. I think it would be really interesting to see what the kids could come up with after they see that it can self-replicate. It would even be a fun project to actually build another REPRAP with the current one they had. What types of changes and modifications could be made would be a really interesting biproduct of having the children make it.
It would also give the children the opportunity to have something tangible that was once in their minds. That has always been a problem for me. I have all of these great ideas in my head but don't have the tools to make it a reality. I'm not saying that the REPRAP would make them all a reality but it could definitely help get there.
There are a lot of other school budget issues that could be solved. The amount of plastic hardware that schools are buying constantly could be replaced with objects that the REPRAP could make. It would be more cost efficient in making chairs, tables, coat hooks, shoe racks, playground equipment, instruments for music, art tools, and many more. These would all be available for the kids to make themselves and customize their learning experience.
I was one of the students who initially disliked the mass production of reprap. I do find that the more I think about it the more I think it would be effective in the classroom. If teachers were the sole users, the classroom could be a place where students learn 3D skills as well as 2D skills. To quote spiderman "with great power comes great responsibility." Reprap can do a lot of good as well as a lot of bad. If you put it into the hands of the right people then it could be effective. We as art educators could use it to show objects in 3D which could benefits our students understanding of objects in 2D. Also, one of our students could go on to make the reprap machine part of their artist identity and use it to create art for the rest of their lives. Socially I am opposed to the reprap being mass produced, but educationally I think we have a lot to learn from it and could use it to teach in many different ways.
ReplyDeleteIf reprap was to be massproduced, I'd still be against it (not saying that it never will, but that's besides the point). A lot of classmates have been pointing out the pros to having it in a classroom setting, and in that sense, I can deal with that to an extent.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I can add to the conversation that hasn't said before, but to be able to help students to see 3-D as well as 2-D is something I can see being extremely beneficial. Coming from someone who had no prior introduction to 3-D, learning it in my earlier school days would have enlightened me sooner. haha. But to see students' excitement when they create an object on paper, recreate it on some program from school, and then see it come to life... i can see it being an experience they wouldn't be able to forget. the students would have a whole different way to create, which is never something that should be kept from them.
however, even if an art teacher was to come by one of these machines, there would always be the problem of time and budget- how long will it take to create student inventions. if not a long amount of time, how much money will the school or teacher be able to provide towards keeping the reprap running?
I don't believe this a good idea for artists themselves to use this device for the creation of art because I love the idea of something being made by your own hands. This is the reason I love ceramics so much because the satisfaction and gratification of hand making something is absolutely amazing. However, in a class setting especially lower levels like elementary, this technology is a great tool. Kids will be able to conceive an idea in 2D and see it become a 3D object. I think this tool could be very inspiring to kids, especially those who don't have any interest in art initially. Sparking the imagination in a child is a very important part of art education.
ReplyDeleteI see both good and bad in this idea. Beginning with the bad, would be that art students would become lazier and only use what the machine created as their art. However, if they used the machine to build the precise pieces of an overall piece they designed, the possibilities would grow. I can see how this invention could influence the growth of functional kinetic art. I find this art very unique and fun, but if you are not perfectly precise with gears and pieces, it turns into a nightmare you'll never want to do again. However, the Reprap could make this process more fun and easy, and therefore help art educators.
ReplyDeleteThe REP RAP technology is essentially a cool children's project. They developed something that has no successful predecessor and everyone is like "wow, oh my gosh this will change the world forever!" Yes, it will change the world but not for the better. People will lose their jobs due to the fact that this new machine can create anything that they used to create. The only people who will have jobs are those that come up with the original idea that the machine then copies. What will everyone else do, how will the economy be effected if it survives at all? Are people supposed to sit in their house all day and make the things they want on a whim out of plastic? What will then become of the human race's claim to innovation and creativity if it stops there? Also, people WILL create weapons and harm other people, it'll be just that much easier for them to get their hands on weapons. One might suggest that we censor what people look up online and flag when people view such things, but of course that brings up privacy and rights. People are simply excited by the idea of a machine that can reproduce anything in plastic, and they simply aren't thinking of the repercussions that WILL result from introducing such a technology to the masses. HOWEVER!! We all know that NO government would ever allow such a technology to enter the market of the masses without stipulation, if they would even allow it at all.
ReplyDeleteI think the RipRap machine is really neat and something that would be really great for classroom use. It would be a bit pricey but I think having a student make a sketch of something and be able to bring it into a 3D program and then actually be able to hold it in their hand is WONDERFUL! Plus, they would be able to create more complected works with this machine.
ReplyDeleteMy comment button isn't working, so I am going to "Reply" here for my comment.
DeleteI think that the Rep-Rap machine sounds like an amazing new technology. The most amazing part about it is that it can recreate itself by making its own parts. Although I am sure that the machine will end up being owned by a company, and production will not be as cheap as the designers intend, I feel like having this technology is worth it for our development. For less creative people, I can also imagine websites being make were you can buy a certain blueprint for something you want, for example, designer glasses frames, and it'll just print off for you.
Rep-Rap can help you produce multiple amount of plastic objects that you can use around the house, as an art project, or for pretty much anything. For people who think that it would hurt our society with mass production or that people would do something harmful with it, is a ridiculous reason to dislike technology. If people want to do something harmful, they can by using pretty much anything. There should be a bit more faith in humanity as a whole, especially when it comes to amazing technology that would benefit us.
I am PRO RIP RAP.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of how it could benefit art education, the possibilities for saving money on plastics are endless. School supplies: folders, binders, pens, paperclips, push pins, scissors, dry erase boards. In the cafeteria: forks, spoons, trays, plates, bowls.
This is not even considering the school supplies that are recyclable/ can be supplied and produced by a riprap.
In terms of a higher art education, rip tap would be useful for individuals who want to experiment with parts that can be made from plastic. For example, a jewelry design major can play/experiment with a material without having to go to the store to get more essential supplies. Another example could be for a painting major. Sometimes we run out of containers, brushes, easels- if a school were to invest in a riprap that could supply students with not only in-class materials but also take-home materials,then we could be encouraging students to go further in creativity because the materials would be literally endless.
So.... yay rip rap.
Ok so I love the idea of the RIP RAP. However I would like to know what happens when it breaks down. How do you repair it, I mean you cant print more parts because its broke and cant print its own parts. So do you hire someone to come in and fix it or what. I totally think that it could be used in education especially to make props for projects like the ones we are working on. I do wonder at the effect it would have on the environment. would it cause more waste?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you can make one large enough to create furniture? If so that would be so cool. we could create our own designs and never have to be like any one else.
My personal opinion about the Reprap machine is pretty much open minded. I still think it sounds rather silly. To have this "machine" at home where we can create anything out of plastic, I don't really know what items or objects that one would need instantly at home, to need a certain machine. Now, if this machine could create paper like products I can see that being useful. Like for example a school could benefit from such a machine, to make paper for classrooms and office use. Even still such machines could be beneficial for that need, but at the same time a company or school system would have to expend money for what items the machine needs. So, if this machine only can create simple products from plastic or paper, then it really wouldn't be a worth while or a necassary expense for a company. So, I am not trying to bring down an idea or a machine. I think any idea of a machine should always be something to keep an open mind to, but I do think this machine is unnecassary.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Reprap is a good teaching tool overall, although I do see how some can dislike it in a sense. As kid's minds are developing and they're beginning to think in different ways, I believe Reprap could definitely be a tool to help nurture this. When thinking about a 2D idea or concept in 3D, it can be difficult- even now as adults. Using the machine in the classroom could expand their knowledge on how things can be put together which all in all leads to a higher level of comprehension. It can also be a good tool to use because it's considered such a new and upcoming technology; kids in this day and age benefit greatly by becoming associated with tools like Reprap, and it can only help them in this technologically filled world.
ReplyDeleteI think that the RIPRAP is pretty sweet. I would like one. I feel like you could design some pretty cool things with it. Check out this link http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/machines-creating-machines-181919022.html
ReplyDeleteAlso view the comments below they are interesting perspectives. I don’t know if I would use this type of machine to create art but it would come in handy right now because I need a new pick guard for my guitar.
I think that i would be nice to be able to teach about this technology in an art classroom environment but actually having one in a school is a rather lavish idea. The things that you could make with this machine could indeed evoke creativity by working through drafting programs but for someone without an engineering background to be able to use this machine to full potential is completely unrealistic. These type of machines have been around for years and are used in a manufacturing setting by highly trained and educated people. I like the idea of introducing this field of work to students so that they might find out if this is the path that they wish to go down for college. In reality, for a school to maintain and own one of these repraps as well as material for it would be an expense way beyond the budgets of art programs. Preparatory schools for students wanting to go into scientific fields are where i believe this type of machine would be most useful and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI guess reprap would be cool. I don't see it being a huge success, but lord knows I could be wrong. As many others have said, it would definitely be interesting to have in a classroom to help kids wrap their minds around making 2D into 3D, which is still hard for me sometimes. It would also be really exciting for the kids, but I just don't see the point of it being in every home all the time. Being in an art class makes sense to me, but not everywhere else. Of course, being on a spaceship makes sense, and making organs makes sense, but in the typical home I just don't see the need. Maybe once it can make electronic product, it would be more useful. I guess if I were to implement this machine in a classroom, I would have them create a moving sculpture in 2D and then modify them on the computer and print them out, but I think in this lesson they would lose the hands on feeling of making something. I guess I'm a bit of a traditionalist though.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick to my previous statement of REPRAP being 'the Linux of manufacturing'. It's cool to see home-made 3D printers, but it doesn't seem to be time or cost effecient, and is really just 'cool'.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it could have a big impact positively or negatively, but I think it's cool to see that some people are having fun with it.
It's neat to be able to design 3D objects and bring them in right where your at in a classroom or at home, so that is certainly a big aspect, but it's arguable about being worth the cost.
Given the somewhat 'underground' field it's in, I think we'll see several interesting devices being made by it, but somewhat jokingly, probably (and eventually) just see a ton of custom tabletop gaming figures.
i think reprap is a cool concept and would be exciting for students to see the production. I think it is a little far fetched for younger grades. However, I think if children were able to turn their designs and drawings into 3d tangible products they would be very enthused and interested to learn more.
ReplyDelete