Water Border Surveillance Device inspired by a Whirligig Beetle
Water Border Surveillance Device inspired by a Whirligig Beetle from Shivani Saran
Water Border Surveillance Device inspired by a Whirligig Beetle

Course: Nature and Form.

Objective: To study any animal/plant anatomically and get inspired by its physical form as well as features to develop the form of an object.

This surveillance device is inspired by the divided eyes of the water beetle, by which it can see both under and above water at the same time. Literally, it floats on the surface of water just as the beetle.

The process involved anatomical understanding by sketching, abstracting the physical form with repeated underlays, and then going into the third dimension to make an inspired form.

The final mock-up is made in thermocol and finished in wall putty, painted in a combination of water based emulsion and oil based paint. The combination of glossy and matte black has been inspired by the lubricated, often metallic finish on the beetle's shell (Black, because it is a stealth device). A logo was also designed to give the product an identity.

Views of the Whirligig Beetle
Different lustrous and metallic finishes on the shell of the beetle (that later inspired the combination of paint).
Sketching to understand the anatomy.
Different levels of abstraction achieved.
Product chosen - Water border surveillance device. Style of form chosen - Monolithic. Deriving the form from abstraction.
Mood board keywords - Monolithic, Stealth. Sketching views within a proportionate binding box.
Top and bottom view of the finished form in thermocol and wall putty (Before painting).
Painted mock-up. Top view.
Painted mock-up. Bottom view.
Painted mock-up. Front view. Two cameras each in the front and back. One above and one below the water surface.
Proportion to a human hand.
The underside.
The designed identity, placed by the contrast of matte and glossy black.
Two cameras each in the front and back. One above and one below the water surface.
Water level anticipated at the central horizontal line.
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Water Border Surveillance Device inspired by a Whirligig Beetle

Course: Nature and Form.

Objective: To study any animal/plant anatomically and get inspired by its physical form as well as features to develop the form of an object.

This surveillance device is inspired by the divided eyes of the water beetle, by which it can see both under and above water at the same time. Literally, it floats on the surface of water just as the beetle.

The process involved anatomical understanding by sketching, abstracting the physical form with repeated underlays, and then going into the third dimension to make an inspired form.

The final mock-up is made in thermocol and finished in wall putty, painted in a combination of water based emulsion and oil based paint. The combination of glossy and matte black has been inspired by the lubricated, often metallic finish on the beetle's shell (Black, because it is a stealth device). A logo was also designed to give the product an identity.

Shivani Saran
Ahmedabad, India