I was introduced to glass as through an industrial design elective I took in my junior year. The aim of this class was to utilize three different skills to create a final glass object of our design. In addition to learning how to work on glass while it is both cold and hot, we were also required to learn metalworking and computer-aided design, and use these two techniques in our design process as well. Images below are from my journey of designing and creating my first objects from glass.
Initial concept renders. My main goal was a sharp and winding object.
3D print of my revised object, and cut and bent metal sheets in preparation of my mold.
Final metal mold, used techniques like welding and sandblasting
Molten glass being poured into my mold. Next to it is the glass in its final form after being blown.
Final touches with the help of my professor.
Finished object being carefully transported into the annealing oven. Since it is still around 700°F at this point, specialized gear covering the entire upper body is required.
Completed object. I aimed to create a functional bottle with my first try.
Starting my second object with the same process. In this try, I aim to produce my intended twisted shape. In the second image, I am shaping the glass with my hands while it is in a malleable state around 1000°F.
I am removing rough edges with a saw. To the left is the object before it is sandblasted.
Final translucent shape after being sandblasted.