Potential trees to hang letters

Letter Placement

Out of the ideas we had, we have decided to place our letters hanging under a tree. We will find a smaller tree with a thinner trunk that will stand in as the "T" and the other letters will hang on the branches surrounding the trunk in a straight line. We want to make the letters with foam core on the front and back and then on the sides we will have a parchment or tracing paper to give the letters a translucent effect especially when a light is shining on them like at sunrise or sunset.

Subtract Letter Ideas

We have decided as a group that we want to use a skinnier font to give the illusion of subtracting from the letters. We also are going to use the negative space on the vowels to further emphasize the subtraction. By using a skinnier font we will have to look into practical ways of building these letter because without a lot of bulk they will be more fragile.

Update: The font we have chosen to use is American Typewriter Light

Photos of Potential Letter Placement spots

Definition of Subtract

1. to withdraw or take away, as a part from a whole

2. Mathematics. to take (one number or quantity) from another; deduct.

Capture Definition

1. to take by force or stratagem; take prisoner; seize: Thepolice captured the burglar.

2. to gain control of or exert influence over: an ad that captured our attention; a TV show that captured 30% of theprime-time audience.

3. to take possession of, as in a game or contest: to capture a pawn in chess.

4. to represent or record in lasting form: The movie succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of Berlin in the 1930s.

Our new cigar cutter considers how the cutter is held and stored. Comfort while cutting, safety and ring size, which will range up to a 64-ring gauge are also necessary features. The ideal cutter needs to have dual blades so that the cigar is cut cleanly and does not ruin the smoking experience with a bad cut. In order to uphold the status of the cigar smoking culture we are going to make our cigar cutter with sterling silver and black leather.

Final Concept Statement

Our new cigar cutter considers how the cutter is held and stored. Comfort while cutting, safety and ring size, which will range up to a 64-ring gauge are also necessary features. The ideal cutter needs to have dual blades so that the cigar is cut cleanly and does not ruin the smoking experience with a bad cut. After extensive research and speaking to our target audience, which includes prominent businessmen and cigar connoisseurs, we have concluded that the cigar cutter must also be aesthetically pleasing. In order to uphold the status of the cigar smoking culture we are going to make our cigar cutter with sterling silver and black leather.

Modified Concept Statement

While the original cigar cutter does serve its purpose, we feel that it does not fulfill the requirements of an ideal cigar cutter. After extensive research and speaking to our target audience which includes prominent businessmen and cigar connoisseurs, we have concluded that the ideal cutter needs to be aesthetically pleasing to uphold the status of the cigar smoking culture. In order to accomplish this status symbol, we are going to use sterling silver and black leather. The ideal cutter also needs to have multiple blades so that the cigar is cut cleanly and does not ruin the smoking experience with a bad cut. Some additional qualities we have added to our prototype are consideration to how the cutter is held and stored, comfort while cutting, safety and ring size, which will range up to a 64 ring gauge.

Documentation Photos

Concept Map

Concept Statement

While the original cigar cutter does serve its purpose, we feel that it does not fulfill the requirements of an ideal cigar cutter. After extensive research and speaking to cigar connoisseurs, we have concluded that the ideal cutter needs to be aesthetically pleasing to uphold the status of the cigar smoking culture. The ideal cutter also needs to have multiple blades so that the cigar is cut cleanly and does not ruin the smoking experience with a bad cut. Some additional qualities we have added to our prototype are consideration to how the cutter is held, comfort while cutting, ring size and safety.

Pro's and Con's of our Original Cigar Cutter

Pro's

• Cuts, serves purpose

Con's

• Finger holes too small
• Cheap/flimsy material
• Ring too small
• Unsafe
• Uncomfortable/awkward
• Doesn't slide well
• Single blade
• Not aesthetically pleasing

Milton Glaser on using design to make ideas new | Video on TED.com

Milton Glaser on using design to make ideas new | Video on TED.com