Improvised Drawing Tools

Reflection of the Improvised Drawing Tool Exercise

To gain confidence in creative ability, we performed a series of small, successful tasks to get our creative juices flowing. We were given instructions in class to create tools using only the tools from our toolboxes and the given Dowell rods. The tasks were difficult at first but then grew easier as we understood what we were supposed to do and as we became more familiar with the materials and the best ways to attach them. We started by creating a tool that would draw a perfect circle in the center of our paper. We did this by attaching two Dowell rods together at almost a 45-degree angle so that when we moved the center rod, the outside rod moved and the pencil would drag along and create a circle. These simple designs, though effective, were not perfect. After this original design, we built off of it. So when we had to create the outline of the circle on both sides, we just attached another Dowell rod and then with both together, they would create a system that would make two circles at the came time on either side. Throughout the project, we worked through different avenues and through discussion, and trial and error, we discovered different ways to make each item.