In Digital Media, we created a Multi Layer Art Piece using Adobe illustrator and laser cutting it. The pieces would be assembled by us. Options included a Light Box and Wood Layer Art piece. I chose to do a Wood Layer Art piece of the sword from Transistor.
Originally, my concept was going to be a Blue Crown Pigeon.
The inspiration for my Wood Layer Art project was the sword from the game, Transistor by Supergiant Games. The game is named after the sword, which is able to wield power and change the landscape of the virtual simulation the characters live in. There’s visual themes of technology that reflect the world and sword. Not only is the sword an effective tool, but it’s inhabited by the protagonist’s lover and speaks with your character. It acts as a narrator for the game and the player quickly grows emotionally attached to it.
I used Adobe Illustrator to create the shapes and paths for the laser cutter. I colored each of the pieces by hand with markers and assembled it to the best of my abilities. It’s my first time doing a physical project like this. It was a fun challenge to design a 3-Dimension piece. I needed to account for physical limitations, such as weight distribution. I used my knowledge from 3D modeling in Animation to imagine and plan the build. I knew I needed the blade to not be too heavy with the accessories it’s holding so the handle wouldn’t snap off. To accomplish this, I made the handle two layers thick and tried to keep weight evenly distributed across the sword.
A feature that can’t be captured on camera is the sword’s ability to glow. I used acrylic paint over some of the sword’s details so in the dark, you can faintly see it emit light.
I went through many ideas for the Wood Layer Art project. The first one I had was this sword, but after trying out many other concepts, I only felt more convinced to do this. I’m very happy I did so. The coloring really makes the piece stand out and I can hold it as if it’s the actual sword. If I were to do this again, I think I would’ve chosen a lighter color for the circuits so they contrast against the blue blade.