A picture is indeed worth a thousand words

We take a lot of pictures in our shop, documenting every stage of every project. Each evening I go through them editing and sorting them out for future use. The photos record every stage of the project. Some of those photos are used on this journal, in trade magazines, and in presentations to show how we build our creations.

After each project we also try to take some really good photos, with Becke and her professional photo equipment doing these honours. The purpose of these photos is to document our work in the best possible fashion, with simple backgrounds and optimum lighting. These are the glamour shots and the results are well worth the considerable time and effort it takes to set up. These photographs will be showcased in our portfolio, entered into competitions and sent off to publications.

Today I present the pictures of the finished IDEAMATIC.

My favourite project

In our shop we don't spend a lot of time admiring completed projects. Often, as we finish off one another (or many others) are already underway. As Becke did the photoshoot of some finished pieces yesterday the rest of the crew was busy at the other end of the shop working on new projects. They don't look like much at this point. Bits and pieces of sub-assemblies are slowly coming together. But over the next week or two they will be completed. Eventually they will get their finishing touches, be photographed and sent on their way. Then, the process will begin anew. I am often asked which is my favourite project... and the answer is always the same... the next one.

Bucket, the robot

I love how our team works together. The resulting pieces are always much more than my original vision. Typically, I do the bulk of the concept work with some 'serious' input from Peter and Becke. The concept drawings are loose, leaving plenty of room for interpretation and improvements. Then the build begins, with only that first idea as inspiration. The realities of construction and structural integrity sometimes dictate small adjustments and further changes are done on the fly as the crew builds to a visual standard. It is one thing to design on a flat screen or piece of paper, quite another to build in the 3D physical world. When we get to the sculpting stage there is a lot of licence taken as we experiment with textures and form. Then the painting begins. Becke rules the day in this department and we have learned to trust her instincts. She and her talented crew layer the colours on and then the glazes, gradually building a masterpiece. 

The result of our teamwork from start to finish is always a delightful surprise and much better than any of us could accomplish by ourselves. 'Bucket', the robot, is now finished. Becke did the 'official' photoshoot today and he is truly magical!