Hello, my name is Andrew. I’m a senior Robotics Engineering major at WPI from Texas, with minors in ME and CS. Though I have a wide variety of hobbies, rowing and combat robotics is what you’ll usually find me doing.
Art currently fits into my life in the means of mechanical design. Having something function isn’t enough if it doesn’t look nice while it works. I pride myself in having aesthetically pleasing designs. For my 3lb Combat Robot “Hat Trick” the spinner was redesigned for the sole purpose of making it look better, it had almost exactly the same mechanical properties (first iteration on the left). Looking good as art isn’t always about it being perfect and clean either. The damage that combat robots show adds to the aesthetic appeal giving it more or a story and meaning.
Since I rarely have free time, which I totally brought upon myself, my art always has a purpose. Looks nice, but needs to be something that has a use. Most artwork hangs on a wall, after a while you almost don’t notice it anymore. If the art has a purpose you get to appreciate the art in a more meaningful way.
Over the years I have done many other art projects all revolving in the physical 3D realm. I have found that to make aesthetically pleasing assemblies, cohesion is the biggest component. Instead of design each part individually, everything is designed holistically so it all complements each other as a seamless design. When done right, even complicated electronics and wiring can be a pleasant sight!
The “nonfunctional” wooden art pieces I included above were part of Art in the Makerspace, though they also have hidden purpose. When creating each of them I was learning about the laser cutter and possible uses such as using living hinges to bend wood.
Rowing is not typically seen as an art, but it’s similar to synchronized swimming, just also a power endurance sport. There is so much technique involved that when done right, is amazing to hear and watch.
The badge I am giving you is impressive. I just think that mechanical design is so impressive. There are so many moving parts and so much math that needs to happen in order for things to work that I know I could never do.
Clever: All of your battle-bots looks very well made, and the layered wood version is extremely creative.
Impressive: I had used this badge before but I had to use it again, the implementation of robotics and engineering in art and the mix you have managed to create is truly impressive and very hard to achieve
Quirky: your work is very unique, and I also love that you included rowing as an art. It totally is! Seeing everyone sync up is always so beautiful.
Inventive: Your combination of both form and function in your art is very creative and novel.
Inventive: The technical detail that goes into each of these pieces is clear, and adding artistic touches to these designs is very impressive.
Detailed: I really like how important the details are in each of your projects. From getting the weapon spinning without vibrations to syncing up rowing strokes the details clearly matter to you.
Impressive: The way you must design and innovate to make the bots must take lots of iterations.
Detailed: your laser cut pieces have a really nice attention to detail, showing the complexity of the beetle but not overwhelming the viewer.
relatable: I relate to your opinon of art that can be used and appreciated in that way adds value to it.