This project was created as a course assignment at the California State University, Long Beach; taught by Behnaz Farahi: DESN 551: Materials, Tools, and Techniques of Prototype.

For this assignment, we were prompted to take something found in the ocean, and then turn it into a 3D printed object, using MidJourney, Rhino and Grasshopper to bring our ideas to life.

I was inspired by many different ocean seashells, and I wanted to explore the possibilities of where those textures could take me... Using Midjourney, I blended my ideas together to create the textures I was looking for, and then I brought that product to Rhino and Grasshopper to build my 3D structure.

Supplies

Main Resources:

MidJourney (Generative AI Program)
Rhino Software
Grasshopper Software
Photoshop (For cleaning up images/editing)
Polyjet Stratasys J750 3D Printer

Additional Resources:

Premiere Pro (To document my process)

Step 1: Using AI to Inspire Forms

My creative process started out with MidJourney, a image-generative AI program, which I used to help inspire me with images that I would use to build my 3D Model. Prior to this assignment, I had never incorporated AI into my creative process, however I found it to be very helpful in terms of coming up with ideas that I could create.

Once I was happy with my final product, I brought my image to Photoshop to adjust the colors and vibrancy to enhance the final product.

Step 2: Rhino + Grasshopper - Defining Shape

With my image complete, I moved over to Rhino and Grasshopper to aggregate my image into a sculpture of my choosing.

Rhino and Grasshopper function together to create forms, so I used them both to create my structure. I first had to build my base shape, (from MidJourney/Photoshop), which I then defined, cut to shape, and baked the image into a physical model from Grasshopper into Rhino. From then, I was able to drag and drop my image onto my form to add color to my basic model.

At that point, I was ready to build my surface that I was going to aggregate my forms onto.

Step 3: Rhino + Grasshopper - Aggregating Forms

While it took forever for me to decide on what shape I wanted, I finally decided on a circle that I then folded and bent into an abstract shape. I liked the idea of having a shape that wasn't supported by any sort of base, rather something that almost looked like it was floating, or self-supportive.

Once I was happy with my shape, I then defined a point system for my images to sit on, which I then bent to the shape of my surface. Finally, I defined how I wanted my shapes to react with the point system, and then I baked them onto the surface form to create my sculpture.

Step 4: Final Product (3D Model)

After some final adjustments, I ended up with two forms: The first shade had a thinner surface, with a more varied texture patterns and more color variety. (This one ended up being my favorite, because of the beautiful color patterns/textures). The second one had a thicker surface, more compact texture, and more blended color (The thickness was because I took my shape and sandwiched two of them together. I then aggregated those shapes onto my surface for the final project)

After I finished up my forms, I sent them to be printed (see below)

Step 5: Final Product (3D Print)

Unfortunately the printer could not handle the file as it was too large to process in color, however we were able to print it using a resin printer to bring the model to life. I am very happy with how it came out, especially when lit from underneath really illuminates all of the little tips and curves in the model.