For the lesson plan and project, I have decided to make a 3D paper sculpture using gouache or watercolor paints including a simple circuit with a switch in order to honor an important person. The tribute card was a really inspiring project for me because I enjoyed combining an element of technology, like a simple circuit, with a traditional art medium. I wanted to take this project to the next step because I had made a card that was sort of like a pop up card. I realized that adding depth could not only cover the simple circuit, but also add aesthetics to the card.

Working three-dimensionally isn’t something that many art students get the chance to do, so I wanted to design a project that would work three-dimensionally. Often times, art students are only comfortable working on a flat surface because they are never exposed to sculpture or anything in that realm unless they take a ceramics class. Not only does working three-dimensionally cause students to try new things and get out of their comfort zone, but it also encourages the design thinking process.

Through my making process, I was using the design thinking process because I was experimenting and trying new things as I went. Although I was working on the same prototype throughout my process, I was cutting several pieces of paper and experimenting to make them fit. For my prototype, I decided to honor my grandmother by creating a watering can with flowers in it because she loves to garden and loves to be outside.

For this prototype, I used 140lb watercolor paper and gouache paints, which worked really well because the heavy-duty paper seemed to hold the shapes I was trying to make pretty well. First, I painted the pieces of paper and made the body of the watering can by hot gluing the paper pieces together. I experimented with folding the paper and bending the paper in different ways. I then cut the pieces for the handle and the top of the watering can. Once I was finished cutting these pieces, I began designing the flowers. I put two LEDs in the center of each flower and I used the stem of the flower as a channel for the copper tape running back to back to the base of the watering can where I put the circuit. Once I finished the flowers, I made a battery holder and put the circuit in the bottom of the watering can. I then attached the flowers to the circuit using bridges and placed a sliding switch, which sticks out at the base of the watering can. Once the circuit was complete, I made the spout of the watering can to complete the the piece.