When I found out our second term studio project would be helmets for ski patrol and winter search and rescue, I couldn't be happier. I have devoted more time to search and rescue than just about anything and there are few things that I am more passionate about. I figured there was a lot of potential for a successful project.
The other cool thing about the project was that Greg Marting from Easton Bell would be a guest instructor. Getting the chance to work with the designer of most of Giro's bike and snowsports helmets would be a great opportunity to learn from a master.
Of course, I had lofty ambitions of creating a digital model of the helmet in Solidworks, then CNC machining a mold and producing a wearable carbon fiber helmet, but reality struck and I reigned in my expectations little by little. At the end of the term, only one of my classmates had gotten far enough to creat a full helmet model whereas the rest of us only had half models that would be displayed on mirrors.
We started out with user research and brand analysis, then progressed to sketching ideas and carving sketch models in foam.
Once we had a solid design direction, we started modelling full-size half helmets in clay.
Once I arrived at the final form, I had to decide on the best way to proceed toward a final model. One of my instructors recommended that it would look more realistic if the components of the helmet were separate pieces instead of just masked-off and painted a different color. I ended up pursuing this approach by cutting off the trim pieces and re-fabricating them from Bondo formed on wire armatures. This was an amazingly time-consuming process but, as always, I learned a lot.
The Bondo trim pieces with the main helmet in the background
The earpiece was modelled in foam
Once the helmet and trim pieces were formed, I primed, sanded and painted them. After all the painting I'd done the last two terms, I finally felt like I had the hang of it and I was really happy with the paint job on the helmet.
For our final presentation, we also had to create an informational poster that would explain the helmet while it was on display.
My presentation went very well and I was reasonably happy with how the model came out. However, I intend to build a full model or prototype before I graduate.
Recent Comments