S-Series

How can designers contrast the uniformity of traditional CNC engineering with the serendipitous nature of creativity? CNC Serendipity was created from smallest of chance moments, creating an object using a mass production tool designed for precision and coming away with an unexpected result. For a designer, this type of chance was extraordinary, the ability to add surface textures onto a specified form. Through the process of working with the machine and experimenting on ornamental forms I found a range of unique qualities relating to particular ways I manipulated the technology. Creating a bridge between the roles of a designer and engineer to understand the potential in the design possibilities and accept the serendipitous influences that can be controlled and the inevitable influences that cannot. The different surfaces add as a digital imprint adding the the emotional connection to the object, giving each item produced on the assembly an individual identity. This is the core of the research; to find the applications these findings lie in and how the designer can exercise the level of understanding an engineer has of his tools and keep the authorship of the designs. It will be research by reading, observing, designing, making, succeeding and failing. Taking the design process right through every stage of creation and applying the findings to products and the implications the research has to be able to design with future technologies as tools. "His successes and sometimes failures become incarnate in metal. They grow up and confront him, sometimes with surprising results".