One
of the things I have learned over the
years is the power of visualization.
When
a customer conveys an idea to a
designer, it is usually done so by way
of conversation or by e-mail
accompanied with a sketch.
It
is my role to transform the basics of
the idea into reality. The hardest
part of this process is sharing the
same mental picture of the overall
project with the customer.A simple black and white layout drawing may be a good place
to start with this visualization
process, but not every customer reads
a layout drawing the same way.
A
layout drawing is only the beginning
of the design process. There are many
other factors to be added to the
design along the way to make the
vessels structure & aesthetics, or
also known as:“Form and Function”.
There
are three stages to my design process.
Concept
Design
Preliminary
Design
Final
Design
The
“Concept Design Stage” is the
black and white sketches, the
discussions, and the basis for forming
a mental picture of what the customer
is asking for. Sometimes it is a
combination of ideas from the designer
and the customer that make up a
concept. Most of the time the ideas
are driven by the customer to fulfill
a unique role or function. It is in
this case that the designer should be
able to grasp the idea and make a
mental picture quickly and
effortlessly.
The
“Preliminary Design Stage”
adds form and function to the concept.
This is where the basic structure,
components, and weights are detailed
to see what fits and what will be
compromised.The preliminary work is a
necessity for evaluating the budget,
construction, and feasibility of the
project.
The
“Final Design Stage” is where
the customer, designer, and builder
have agreed on all the aspects of the
preliminary design and that no further
changes are to be made to the design.
Only then are the full kitset or CNC
files are generated and the working
drawings are produced. Changes to any
part of the design could have
detrimental effects on budget, form,
or function of the design. In my
perspective, it is highly important to
have everyone reading from the same
page early on into any project. This
insures minimal changes (if any)
during the final design stages and
into construction stages. Everyone has
the power of visualization of the
project.
Every
designer has his or her own
developed methods for the design
process. The learned process tends to
be starting with a 2d layout and
profiles throughout concept and
preliminary design stage. Later
developing the 3d model during the
final design stage. This method is
tried and proven, but in my opinion
does not paint a very clear path to
success.
My
design method is based around the
way I develop my kitsets. A kitset is
a very complex 3d model of the
project. It is then flattened into a
2d shape and drawings. So instead of
starting off with a 2d plan and
working into a 3d model, I work the
other way.
I
start the concept with a rough basic
sketch and discussions with the
customer. Then I transform the sketch
into a 3d model very quickly. This
starts the visualization process
between the customer and designer.
Once the customer sees what I see in color
(not black and white), we are able to
discuss the mental picture more
clearly. A picture, or in this case a
rendering, is worth a thousand words.
It is easily read in any language and
very quickly establishes a base roots
for the project.
Sometimes
with larger projects there are a
number of people that are involved on
the customer side. This makes the
concept stage a real challenge for the
designer. The designer must focus all
of the ideas posed by the customer and
representatives, into one concept.
Therefore the concept renderings
become the adhesive in binding all the
ideas together, especially when tight
deadlines must be met.
A
rendering is sometimes the only way
for everyone to fully see his or her
idea in place. Sometimes they may see
what compromises that must be made to
make or break that idea. If there is a
consortium of decision makers, a
render will ultimately clear the path
for decisions to be made quickly and
accurately. In all of my experience a
simple black and white layout does not
allow this process to happen early
enough into any project.
In
my opinion, the concept stage is
the most important stage. It should be
the starting point for complete
visualization for the customer and
designer.
There
is considerable work (and cost) in
producing the 3d concept visualization
renderings for a customer, but the
customer is rewarded by a successful
project.
Services:
Information
Package
on a particular design:
Information
Package
may be purchased for $50.00 USD per vessel design on-line using your credit
card via PAYPAL. You will receive your
Information Package by Airmail.
Stock
Plans:
Stock
Plans may be purchased direct on-line using your credit card via
PAYPAL.
Alterations
to stock plans will be charged at my normal design fees.
Custom
Design Plans:
I
requires payment for each stage of design work.
All
payments are made in advance of any work commencing.
The
customer
is required to sign a "Non Disclosure or Design Agreement" prior to
ANY
information being supplied by East Cape Marine Ltd.
Design
Service:
I
run the
most up-to-date computer programs available.
I
specialize in power catamaran design.
However, new
exclusive yacht design work is leading
me into new fields of design.
In-house
Hull Testing Service:
I
offer a complete in-house hull testing service.
With the use of my CNC machine in my work shop, I am able to computer
model and CNC cut new hull design models. From there the models are
either tank tested overseas in a full test facility, or a more crude
method of tow testing behind a specially rigged dinghy at a fraction
of the cost.
Classifications:
Please
enquire for specific classifications
on designs.
