I have learned through industry experience that model building is a somewhat rare skill to have. It is ultimately one of the skills that helped me standout amongst the competition.
Scaled models are used in just about every industry that involves the making of something: amusement park rides, products, and architecture just to name a few.
I made models out of everyday craft supplies for fun, but to also visualize concepts. I build all models with stability and modularity at their core.
Foam-Core Models
Mattel's Toy Clash 2023 Competition Winner "Puppy Pantry" Foam-core Model
This is the model I built in 3hrs, the day of the pitch (hence why it's a bit rough). Mattel holds an annual "Toy Clash" competition in which teams of artists, engineers, and marketers are assigned a random theme and play-pattern that they have to come up with an all new toy concept for in under two days.
It is a real test of teamwork, ingenuity, and time management. Utilizing every team member's specialty to design a new toy, and then present a cohesive 20 minute pitch to a panel of judges and the competing teams (not to mention, anyone in the company who wants to attend as well).
I pitched this model in a classic television advert style, similar to that of a "Shark Tank" pitch. Ultimately, our team not only met the criteria of the challenge, but did so in the best way!
Scaled Animatronic Mechanism Models
These models were my introduction into understanding animatronic mechanisms. I learned all there is to know about how linear actuators can be mounted in various ways to allow different parts of the mechanism to move. Through building these models, I learned what needs to be constrained, and what cannot be constrained in order to achieve a particular motion. I learned how various moving parts all come together to create a full mech.
These models are built out of craft-sticks. dowels, cardboard, and straws.
I was able to replicate the motion of a pneumatic cylinder by making cylinders out of straws with small dowels inside to act as the plunger. I then used cardboard to create clevises to connect the cylinder onto the mech. Every cylinder "works" in the sense that it extends and retracts like it would on full-size build.
Reverse-engineered CEI Mech. Study- 2022
