Final clock
This is my final clock design.
I chose to keep the overall aesthetic very simple, as my topic focuses on overconsumption and its impact on global water pollution.
The minimal design creates a sense of juxtaposition against the complexity and severity of the issue.
The piece itself is composed of only a few layers. I printed a smooth gradient to represent the water source, then etched a sheet of clear acrylic to mimic the texture of thread fibers.
I chose the word “overconsumption” because, without the excessive production and purchasing associated with fast fashion, our waterways would not be as heavily contaminated with microplastics as they are today.
First prototype
This was the first functional prototype of my clock, created to explore the overall form and concept. I used a thick piece of foam as the base and painted it to begin visualizing the design.
In my original concept, I wanted to use actual thread to represent fast fashion waste in the water. To achieve this, I carved sections into the foam so the thread could lay flat within the surface.
However, I ultimately pivoted away from this approach and instead chose to etch the thread into acrylic. This shift allowed the concept to feel more symbolic and less literal.
clock progress
This is my final clock progress sheet. I went through several rounds of digital testing and sketching before arriving at the final design.
For this composition, I wanted to mimic the thread pattern featured in the clock itself. To achieve this, I layered overlapping sections, with each one representing a different stage in the development process.
Laser cutting materials
For the base of the clock, I used a laser cutting machine. This required me to learn both how to operate the machine and how to use a new design program to prepare the file.
Although it was a significant learning curve, it was ultimately a valuable skill to develop for projects like this.
Clock Show
After everyone completed their clocks, we held a showcase to properly display both the final pieces and our progress sheets. It was exciting to see past teachers and younger students engage with the work and gain inspiration for their own future projects.
Seeing my clock displayed in this setting felt surreal. After spending so much time developing it, it was incredibly fulfilling to finally see the finished piece.
