3D Design

For my 3D design assignment, I utilized Tinkercad's range of basic shapes to create a Puerto Rican vejigante mask. I chose to create thus mask because I have been exploring my own heritage a great deal this semester in several of my classes. I created a vejigante mask design for Processes and Structures, and I wanted to create a 3D model version of it so that it could possibly be replicated in the future with a 3D printer.


In creating this piece, I got to experiment more with Tinkercad's features beyond what I did in class. As opposed to what I did in class: picking from pre-created characters and figurines, I created my own figurine out of the simple shapes. Also during class, I used my iPad and Apple Pencil to create the piece, which I thought was easier than using a computer, but for this homework assignment, I used the computer and was able to have better control over the placement of my elements and the entire piece as a whole. Tinkercad was very easy to use, and much of the maneuvering of details was very intuitive. I can see this being a great introduction for young adolescents into 3D modeling, and its accessibility as a browser application makes it a great tool for the classroom. While I didn't utilize any of the tutorials for this assignment, I could see myself diving deeper into them to better understand for future modeling.


For context, a vejigante mask plays an important part of Afro-Puerto Rican carnaval culture, with performers wearing these masks, protecting towns from evil spirits with their threatening appearance. I designed this vejigante to be the colors of the flag, in theme with my 2D design project. I gave the mask two large, distinct teeth with a gap between them because 1. this is often a feature in traditional masks, and 2. I consider my own tooth gap a distinct feature not only of me, but also of my mother's lineage, so it is a self-portrait of sorts. 


I included the phrase, "pa' que lo sepas," shortened from its original phrase "Yo soy Boricua, pa' que lo sepas" (I am Boricua, just so you know) as an additional feature of Puerto Rican pride, culture, identity, and resistance. Originating in New York in the 1990's by rapper Taino, this phrase is often repeated as a call and response at concerts, even performers who are not of Puerto Rican descent partake in this call and response.  

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