Research Question
How can voxel printing be used to design the physical depth of images to provide a craft-based articulation of knowledge found within images?

Research Output
Written Portfolio
Design theory and design research written pretext
Literature and precedent review Writing design criteria and brief
Thematic analysis of images (data analysis)
Final voxel 3D prints showcasing tacit knowledge of the concept

Research Method - Metaphor
Design is used to solve unique problems and cases. How can a designer bring past knowledge to a present case, if by definition the case is unique, separating it from past knowledge. “It depends on your ability to see the present as the past, but not as a reduction of the past, but as a projected, modelled variation of the past” (Schon, 1989). This ability is a tool called metaphor. To solve the unique present case well a designer will show a repertoire of past cases, using their ability to see the present case as versions of that repertoire. The metaphor I use is the ability to see the present situation of voxel printing images as a version of previously painted images. The ability to voxel print these painted images into crafted objects is not a reduction of the past, but an advancement for the future.

Thermatic analysis
Reflexive thermatic analysis is used to generate themes from images, which form the basis for investigation. In the context of this research, a reflexive thematic analysis symbolizes gaining an understanding, intuition and a repertoire of images to make voxel printing design decisions.

Inspiration: Gerhard Ritcher
Ritcher applies his paint, then using a large squeegee smothers the paint from one side of the canvas to the other. This technique is created using a layer-by-layer method, the paint layer blends with previous layers. This method of layer-by-layer painting runs parallel with voxel printing methods, as voxel printing is a layer-by-layer process. I applied this process to photoshop, digitally painting an abstracted piece of art; this would trigger the idea of voxel printing artworks.