The instructions for this assignment were to create a small, medium, and large volume using only 9 lines (toothpicks).  There were numerous stipulations set in place to make this task challenging, including:

-the largest volume should not have the most number of sides

-the number of sides from small to large or large to small volumes should not be incremental

-the composition must be top heavy

-the figure to ground ratio had to be at least 1:2

-the composition had to be linear

-the composition had to have an x, y, and z axis

-the figure should be dynamic

-the composition had to touch at least two sides of the base

-center-lines and corners should not be activated

-the figure should be complimentary to the base

-the composition should be non-representational

We had to have a total of 5 models and bases, and each model should be unique.  This was an exploration in 9 lines and was the first assignment in a series of more complex line projects.  The purpose of this assignment was to develop design skills, test our ability to follow given rules and still be creative while following said rules, and challenge us to think critically.  Given that this was my first attempt, none of my compositions ended up meeting all of the rules.  This exploration was just to give us a taste of what would be required for the subsequent projects, which had to meet all of the rules.