top of page
THE ARCADE
IMG_7914.HEIC

THE ARCADE was a collective project where 16 designers came together to create a cohesive theme for a gallery show organized for the 10-year anniversary of the Products of Design department at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. It consisted of a Connect 4, a Wheel of Dares, and a Slingshot Cornhole.

 

The team also created cohesive branding for the exhibit which included logos, graphics, stickers, and notebooks all following a unified design language. The project was divided into Research, Branding, and Fabrication. I was part of the fabrication team and Lead on the Connect 4 project.

​

Throughout the process, there were many long days and nights, changes, disagreements, and opportunities for problem-solving wherein we had to come together and work through them as a team.
 

IMG_7907.gif

[ May 4 2023, 3:41 AM:

Our first time testing the mechanism to see if all the work paid off or not! ]

process >>>

The initial idea included a freestanding Connect-16 that would have the disks/pucks showing the department's graduated alumni from the past 10 years.

​

The theme was later changed to the arcade and the idea was revised accordingly. 

Screen Shot 2024-01-10 at 1.21.52 AM.png
Screen Shot 2024-01-10 at 2.11.57 AM.png
Screen Shot 2024-01-10 at 2.11.36 AM.png

Mockups were created using Illustrator and Rhino to help determine the measurements and to create the files for CNC machining.

The biggest learning in this build was that of a "driving dimension".

 

The diameter of the puck determines the dimensions of the Connect 4 board. Unfortunately, we had to learn this the hard way and re-cut the board to fit the correct size of the disk that had previously been determined all because the pucks were trimmed by 0.5".

​

The pucks were made by gluing together cork trivets which I procured on an adventure to Ikea in a rainstorm.

The edges were trimmed using a jig on the router table and the spray painted in the respective colors.

​

Next steps included clean up of the MDF, painting of the boards and assembly.

IMG_5756.HEIC

We also created a false wall to attach the Connect 4 to as we were not allowed to drill directly into the original wall.

​

After the final assembly, the Connect-4 was attached to the wall using 2 pairs of French Cleats that I built.

​

We also constructed a box to catch the pucks when they fall out of the bottom when the game is over.

IMG_6153 2.HEIC

This project was a true test of skill, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork and I learned a lot about my capabilities not only in terms of being a designer and fabricator but also as a team leader.

©2024 by Prerna Sharma

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
bottom of page