This year has been a challenging but successful year completing my 2nd-year Extended Diploma in Art & Design at UCA during this Covid era. It has been a combination of attending UCA online lectures, going into the studio, and self-motivation. Thus, I have developed as an individual by working on my own and researching artists and after gaining inspiration, taking the opportunity of time to experiment with my ideas. I have found the journey of experimentation to be thought-provoking and irritating, as many of my attempts have led me on differing tangents. For example when working with parabola’s, and creating an abstract 3D model, when photographed this then turned out to be a very exciting Repetitive 2D Parabola pattern that became very distinctive.
Irritating experiments have been from frustration – for example working with concrete. Creating mixtures for different material outcomes was time-consuming and annoying at times when a sandy mixture would just crumble. However, after perseverance, I was able to create a strong mix with the correct viscosity that I could sculpt into my unique Wave Lounger. This turned out to be an elegant, simplistic sculptural arc that formed a relaxation seating area inspired to enhance mental wellbeing.
My Final Major Project took inspiration from Hadid’s organic fluid buildings such as the Starfish airport and Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai and taking larger than life scale from Claes Oldenburg’s work. My wave lounger is 9ft long, solid reinforced concrete t. It is painted white with blue highlights on the wave top. Changeable LEDs add emotional depth to increase relaxation. See video. Picture 2 incorporates my Water Feature adding to the natural soothing effect from the delicate sound and touch of water. The flowing curves defy the logical stereotype of concrete.
Picture 3 shows my Bio-mimicry Soap dish taken from spikes inspiration from coral and puffa fish, this aids the soap staying dry on the dish.
The Coral Mask was inspired by the horrific properties of global warming, the mask being a Covid deprivation of oxygen and rise of carbon dioxide raising sea temperature and killing the coral. See Picture 4.
My Copper Pipe Lamp developed in the upcycling project, from a heap of plumbing pipes removed from my granny’s loft and an old book. I cut into the pages for the fitting and stripped-down plastic flex for copper wire to secure the lamp. The most interesting effect was the negative space highlighted by the light at night. Picture 5
My career choice is to be an Architect I want to develop environmental sustainability and natural aesthetics.
Extended Diploma in Art & Design - Year 2 - Canterbury 
Daniela Schulz | Pre-degree & Foundation Studies
