P1 – In-Class Work I: Concept, Sketching & Laser-Cut Preparation

Your group must develop the project using concepts explored throughout Composition Techniques I and II.

Composition Techniques I

• Composition Techniques I - Part 1
• Composition Techniques I - Part 2

Consider how your structure applies:

• Interrelationships of Form
• Repetition and repetition arrangements
• Similarity
• Gradation
• Anomaly
• Concentration
• Radiation
• Contrast
• Space
• Texture
• Grid and structural organization
• Dot, Line, Plane, and Mass
• Surface Activity
• Breaking Space
• Arranging Form

Your project should translate these ideas from a two-dimensional composition into a three-dimensional physical structure.

Composition Techniques II

The final project will also apply:

• Colour schemes
• Colour contrast
• Colour perspective
• Colour gradation
• Colour proportioning
• Relationships between dominant, secondary, and accent colours

Colour will be developed in Part 2. During this session (Part 1), concentrate on creating a strong structure that can later support an intentional colour system.

You do not need to force every principle into every individual shape. Instead, the complete project should demonstrate that your group is intentionally working with the major formal, spatial, textural, and colour concepts developed in Composition Techniques I and II.

Develop the group concept

Work together to create a three-dimensional composition built from approximately 20–30 two-dimensional planes organized on a defined base.

The composition should explore:

• Repetition and variation
• Layering
• Height and depth
• Direction and angle
• Positive and negative space
• Rhythm
• Density
• Structural relationships
• Engraved surface texture

Each group member must contribute to the planning. Contributions may include ideas, sketches, measurements, annotations, file preparation, or another approved method.

Design the base

The composition must include a physical base.

The base may be:

• Square
• Rectangle
• Circle
• Oval
• Triangle
• Diamond
• Polygon
• Irregular or custom vector shape

The base should be treated as part of the composition, not simply as a support placed underneath it.

Consider:

• Shape
• Size
• Orientation
• Relationship to the repeated planes
• Negative space
• Placement of the planes
• Overall silhouette

Work within the material limit

Each group receives exactly:

• Two birchwood sheets
• 24 × 12 in each
• 0.3 in thick

Everything must fit within these two sheets.

This includes:

• The base
• All repeated planes
• Connectors
• Supports
• Additional structural pieces

Plan dimensions carefully before preparing the final files.

Consider how shapes can be rotated, nested, or reorganized to reduce unused areas while maintaining adequate spacing for laser cutting.

Plan engraved texture

Texture must be incorporated into the project through laser engraving.

Think about how engraved lines, patterns, marks, or repeated structures can create Surface Activity.

The engraved texture should support the overall design rather than function as unrelated decoration.

Possible approaches include:

• Repeated lines
• Directional marks
• Geometric patterns
• Organic patterns
• Gradation of density
• Concentration
• Repetition
• Changes in spacing
• Linear textures
• Custom vector patterns

Clearly identify in your sketches:

• Which areas will be cut
• Which areas will be engraved

Cutting lines and engraving lines require different laser-file settings. Follow the tutorials provided later in this activity exactly.

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Create the Brainstorming and Design Document

Each group must create one shared Project 1 planning document in Adobe InDesign.

The document will continue to be updated throughout the project.

Document setup

Use:

• Software: Adobe InDesign
• Page size: Letter — 8.5 × 11 in
• Orientation: Portrait or landscape, depending on your design
• Pages: As many as necessary to communicate the project clearly
• Export: PDF
• Filename: Group-#-Project1-Design.pdf

Warning: Images placed in an InDesign document are usually linked to their original file location. If you move, rename, or delete a linked image, InDesign may no longer be able to find it. You may see a low-resolution preview and a Missing Link warning. You will need to relink the image to its new location.

The planning PDF is not simply a collection of notes and sketches. It must be a designed document.

Pay attention to:

• Layout
• Margins
• Alignment
• Typography
• Hierarchy
• Image placement
• Scale
• Spacing
• Consistency across pages

Your sketches should be placed intentionally and should feel visually integrated with the written information.

The document must include

1. Group number and student names
2. Concept statement
   • Briefly explain the central idea of the structure.
3. Design concepts
   • Identify how the project connects to concepts from Composition Techniques I and II.
4. Annotated 3-dimensional sketches
   • Show the overall three-dimensional structure.
   • Explain how the planes change in scale, shape, direction, spacing, height, or position.
   • Show how planes will connect to and interact with the base.
5. Base design
   • Clearly show its shape and dimensions.
   • If used, identify the areas where engraved texture will be applied.
6. Plane designs
   • Show the planned shapes and their dimensions.
   • Show the planned connectors and their dimensions.
   • Clearly identify the areas where engraved texture will be applied.
7. Material planning
   • Include one image of each birchwood sheet layout, showing how all shapes and structural pieces will be arranged on the two sheets.

Do not include a finalized colour palette in this document. Colour will be developed during Part

Ask the instructor for feedback before preparing the final laser files.

For this project, you will create and measure your artwork in Adobe Illustrator, then use an SVG file to open and check the artwork in Inkscape before preparing the cutting and engraving settings.

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Step 1: Work on Adobe Illustrator

Create a new project with the following settings:

Setting	Requirement
Software	Adobe Illustrator
Units	Inches
Page size	24 × 12 in
Artboard	2
Material represented	One birchwood sheet
Number of files	1

Follow the tutorial to learn how to:

• create the required Adobe Illustrator file;
• set the document size using inches;
• use Illustrator’s measurement tools and panels to create shapes at exact dimensions;
• check object width, height, and placement; and
• set the correct cutting vs engaving settings

Create and Arrange all project components

Across the two artboards, include:

• Base
• Repeated planes
• Connectors
• Supports
• Any other required elements
• Engraved texture

The complete physical project must fit within these two artworks only.

Arrange the pieces efficiently to minimize material waste.

Consider:

• Rotation
• Nesting
• Spacing
• Shape orientation
• Accurate dimensions
• Relationship between cutting and engraving paths

Do not resize pieces simply to make them fit unless the change has also been approved in your design.

Export as SVG

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. It is a vector file format that stores artwork as shapes, paths, lines, and other editable vector information rather than as pixels.

Because SVG files are vector-based, they can be resized without becoming pixelated. SVG is also compatible with both Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape, making it useful for transferring your vector artwork between the two programs.

Before exporting and moving between programs, check that your shapes, dimensions, and paths have been preserved correctly.

Save the files as:

• Group-#-Plate-1.svg
• Group-#-Plate-2.svg

Checklist:

• Everything fits within two birchwood sheets. The base, repeated planes, connectors, supports, and all other components fit within the two 24 × 12 in files.
• The dimensions are correct. All shapes match the measurements established in the approved design.
• The material is used efficiently. Shapes are arranged intentionally to reduce unnecessary waste.

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Step 2: Work on Inskscape

Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor used by the Thode Makerspace for preparing laser-cut files.

For this project, all production files must be finalized in Inkscape.

Learning to move between different software environments is an important part of digital design and fabrication. The same concepts you have practiced in Illustrator (vector paths, shapes, measurements, alignment, layers, and precise transformations) can be applied in Inkscape.

Tutorial 2 — Open your SVG in Inkscape and check cutting vs. engraving lines

Follow the tutorial to open your SVG files in Inkscape and check that each vector path is prepared for the correct laser process.

You will review:

• how to open your SVG file in Inkscape;
• how to apply the required settings for cutting and engraving; and
• save new additions to your files.

Cutting lines and engraving lines are not interchangeable. Before submitting your file, confirm that every path uses the correct settings for its intended function.

Save the checked SVG files

The Thode Makerspace uses Inkscape as part of the workflow for sending vector files to the laser-cutting software, so SVG is the required file format for production.

After you have opened your files in Inkscape and confirmed that all cutting and engraving lines use the correct settings, save the final files as SVG.

Save the files as:

• Group-#-Plate-1.svg
• Group-#-Plate-2.svg

Checklist:

• The cutting paths are correct. Every element intended to be cut uses the required cutting-line settings.
• The engraving paths are correct. Every texture or surface treatment uses the required engraving-line settings.
• Unintended fills have been removed. Only the fills required by the laser-cutting and engraving workflow remain.
• Duplicate and overlapping paths have been removed. There are no repeated paths or accidental overlapping cutting lines.
• The filenames are correct. Both SVG files follow the required naming structure.

Corrections may be required before your scheduled laser-cutting session.