In my Dissertation Equivilent, or "Research Experiment", I will be investigating how paper engineering influences peoples reactions to and interactions with illustration. Everything from how a book is bound to what size and shape it is can influence how poeple see the illustration and how they react. Then pop-up pages, spin-wheels, opening doors and more can also produce more diverse interactions. Paper can be both 2D and 3D; you can create paper dolls, you can make 3 dimensional models, or 'paper-toys', you can create a whole pop-out house, with characters to move around. Paper engineering can make reading or viewing illustration a more interactive experience, and take illustrations out of the books with 3D models and puppets or even jewellery!
I aim to experiment with as much as I can, from book-binding to pop-up, to paper-toys and beyond. I will start by creating a series of small books, each bound in a different way, or a different size or shape. I will then move on to other areas of paper engineering, including paper-toys and more. The stories I will be illustrating will be fairy tales and folklore, to tie in with my Final Major Project.
I will create a series of final paper engineered pieces, and film people seeing htem for the first time. I will make notes on their reactions to the pieces and how they interact with each one from which to draw my conclusions.
I will be drawing inspiration from any artists I find using paper products in an interesting and unique way. Like my Final Major Project, the potential audience for this is wide, from children to adults who appreciate paper engineering or bookbinding, to the growing world of paper-toys. I have chosen this subject for my project not only because I think it would be fascinating, and would extend my interest in bookbinding, but also in order to broaden my skills and step out of my comfort zone.
