References
For me, references play a crucial role in the overall process of creating a product. After an idea is conceived, it is essential to understand the principle of operation of the entire mechanism as well as the individual parts. This includes understanding why certain materials were chosen and why the product was created in the first place.
To gain this understanding, articles dedicated to the product, videos analyzing its assembly, operation, and application, as well as drawings and stories from owners can be invaluable resources. These resources can help answer questions about how the product was designed, assembled, and used.
The first step I take is to watch videos about the assembly and disassembly of the mechanism, if available. I also collect drawings and photographs of the collapsible parts of the mechanism and various variations of the product (older, newer, or similar in terms of parameters). This information forms the basis for my modeling process. For texturing, I am looking for articles on creation, prototypes, historical versions from museums, and redesigned versions. The transition from a completely new to a practically unused version is especially important. It can also be another object made of similar materials, not necessarily your option, all this is necessary to understand why it looks like this. All of this will help us understand why the final product looks the way it does.
