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Welcome to the Aesthetics of Design Website. This site displays student work in the Aesthetics of Design class at CU Boulder. This site serves as an archive for current and past student projects, and for current students to develop their portfolio and documenting skills. It is also an Open Educational Resource, for anybody interested in how to make these projects, and for educators who might like to teach a course like this: all lecture notes and videos are available, as well as syllabus, schedule assignments etc..

This yearโ€™s eighth post, where students present their design preview report.

Design Report โ€“ Hidden Compartment Hobbit Door Art

For my main idea, Iโ€™m designing a hidden compartment behind a fantasy-inspired art piece. This piece will incorporate a dynamic locking mechanismโ€”something that blends into the artwork while also serving as a functional element. This project should have a chameleon-like aestheticโ€”somewhere between minimalist, fantasy, and whimsical. I am shooting for a blend of simplicity, storytelling,โ€ฆ

Cozy Cabin Perk-a-Cola Bottle Display

Introduction Bringing together nostalgia, craftsmanship, and interactive design, the Cozy Cabin Perk-a-Cola Bottle Display is a unique project that integrates aesthetics with electronics to create an immersive showcase. Inspired by the Perk-a-Cola bottles from Call of Duty: Zombies, this shelf not only serves as a visually striking display but also incorporates dynamic lighting and audioโ€ฆ

Folding Camp Table Project: Inspiration, Aesthetic, and Design Vision

Introduction When designing my product, I wanted to create something that is not only visually appealing but also genuinely useful. For my final project, I want something functional, durable, and tailored to my personal needs. I decided to design and construct a folding camp tableโ€”a compact, portable workspace that balances rugged outdoor aesthetics with functionalistโ€ฆ

No flat tables in space โ€“ an exploration of neuroaesthetics and design for microgravity enviorments

Project Overview Human reactions to design aesthetics are deeply rooted in cognitive and psychological processing (Palmer, et al, 2013). Perception plays a crucial role in aesthetic response, and on Earth, where gravity provides a fixed frame of reference, humans, in most settings, interpret design aesthetics from a single orientation (Greenland & Morgenstern, 1991). However, inโ€ฆ

Handmade Spice Spinner with Mexican Ceramic Aesthetic

For my final project, I am making a spice spinner for my mom, inspired by traditional Mexican ceramics and pottery. I want to create something that is both beautiful and functional, incorporating handcrafted details that reflect my aesthetic. Traditional Mexican ceramics often have bold colors, hand-painted designs, and a rustic feel, which I plan toโ€ฆ

Design Preview: Old Hollywood Clapperboard

Introduction: Bringing Classic Hollywood to Life For my main project, I am creating a vintage-inspired clapperboard that captures the essence of classic Hollywood. The project is deeply rooted in my appreciation for film history and aesthetics, drawing inspiration from mid-century movie production tools. The goal is to craft a functional yet nostalgic artifact, blending theโ€ฆ

Brutalist Fountain Design Preview

The allure of brutalism lies in its unapologetic embrace of raw materials, geometric forms, and the inherent beauty of structural honesty. It is an aesthetic that eschews ornamentation in favor of the fundamental elements of design, celebrating the strength and permanence of concrete, steel, and other robust materials. This essay explores the design and constructionโ€ฆ

Modernist/MCM Accent Table: Design Preview

Personal Aesthetic My personal aesthetic is a combination of many aesthetics, including MCM, modernism, minimalism, and contemporary. While these are slightly conflicting aesthetics, I think that they can all come together to form a unique and personalized aesthetic. My aesthetic comes out in many different forms but is most prevalent in my interior design and furnitureโ€ฆ

70s Rotating Bookshelf

1. What Iโ€™m Making The 1970s were defined by a fascination with geometric experimentation, organic forms, and multifunctional designโ€”aesthetic principles that directly inspire this bookshelfโ€™s hexagonal rotating core. Unlike traditional rectangular or circular shelves, the hexagon strikes a balance between efficiency and visual intrigue. Each of the six sides is angled at 120 degrees, creatingโ€ฆ

Dolls Design preview

For this project, I decided to stick with my personal aesthetic, which is a cutesy or kawaii aesthetic; however, I want to incorporate some of the gyaru fashion aesthetic into my project. According to Wikipedia, the kawaii โ€œ is a Japanese cultural phenomenon which emphasizes cuteness, childlike innocence, charm, and simplicity.โ€ It started to takeโ€ฆ

Pocket Watch to Wristwatch Conversion: A Main Project Overview

An oversized pocket watch conversion by Colorado-based company Vortic. For my main project, I am converting a 1907 Waltham Grade 165 (~0s, 15J) pocket watch movement into a wearable wristwatch. I chose this movement because, as a 0s movement, it has a modest 29mm diameter, making it well-suited for wristwatch conversion without looking overly largeโ€ฆ

Rustic Farm Fountain Design Preview

Rustic farm design is an aesthetic that evokes the simplicity, charm, and ruggedness of farm life. It celebrates the beauty in the imperfections of handmade or well-worn items, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This design aesthetic can be broken down into several key characteristics: utilitarian design and weathered, heavily-used elements. By understanding these components,โ€ฆ

Space Exploration Keyboard -Design Preview Report

Today, space exploration is more vibrant than ever, with missions to Mars, the discovery of exoplanets, and the ever-expanding International Space Station. Agencies like NASA and private companies such as SpaceX are leading the charge, envisioning the colonization of other planets and the potential discovery of extraterrestrial life. Why Space Exploration Theme ? Space explorationโ€ฆ

Design Preview Spec 2025 โ€“ Microphone Boom Arm

Brainstorming When brainstorming ideas for my final main project, I wanted to create something that would serve a functional purpose in my day-to-day life, similar to my upcycle project. I often encounter various issues that bother me throughout my daily routine, and I realized that a simple item could help either fix these problems orโ€ฆ

Design Preview Report: Dual-Perspective 3D Sculpture

Introduction For my main project, I am developing a rotating 3D sculpture that presents two distinct images depending on the viewing angle. The concept plays with perception, allowing one form to transform into another as the sculpture rotates. This aligns with the projectโ€™s emphasis on aesthetics first, function second, where motion itself becomes part ofโ€ฆ

Building a Steampunk Strandbeest

What is My Project For my project, Iโ€™m creating a steampunk-inspired Strandbeest. A Strandbeest is a wind-powered walking machine originally designed by Dutch artist and engineer Theo Jansen. First introduced in 1990, Strandbeests are fascinating mechanical creatures made from lightweight materials like PVC pipes, using linkages to move like real walking animals. Jansenโ€™s vision wasโ€ฆ

CyberCrystal Vest: Design Preview

Introduction The CyberCrystal Vest is a wearable electronic fashion piece that fuses cyberpunk aesthetics, rave culture, and interactive LED technology into a single garment. By integrating custom-designed, 3D-printed crystal spikes with Neopixel LEDs, the vest reacts dynamically to movement, making it a visually striking and immersive experience for festivals, performances, and nightlife. My goal isโ€ฆ

Art Nouveau Mobile

For my main project I will be creating a Mobile in the Art Nouveau Aesthetic. My main inspiration for this project is the work of Alexander Calder, who pioneered the mobile as a form of kinetic sculpture. His work The S-Shaped Vine is shown as the featured image of this post, this is one of myโ€ฆ

Wรถddha Board Preview

For this semesterโ€™s final design project, I will craft a wooden iteration of the zen drawing Buddha Board concept, which currently only exists in โ€˜disappearing waterโ€™ format. This user-driven movement project combines my love for woodworking with my love for creative technology โ€” and generally has a positive effect on mental health. In addition, thisโ€ฆ

Levitating Mask

Gift For an Anime Nerd My final project is a helmet based on the accessory of the protagonist in the anime Code Geass. This item will stand on a magnetic levitation display that will slowly rotate the object while levitating it using a permanent magnet. This object is intended as a gift for my boyfriendโ€ฆ

Design Preview Report

Project Title: Arcane ChronoSphere โ€“ A Magical Timepiece What I Am Going to Make For my main project, I will create an interactive Arcane ChronoSphere, a mystical timepiece that visually represents time passing with dynamic movement and shifting light patterns. The ChronoSphere will use LED animations and rotational mechanics to symbolize different aesthetic themes, suchโ€ฆ

Mirror, Mirror on the Fabric: My Final Project design preview โœจ

After far too much Pinterest scrolling (and some mom-approved decision-making), Iโ€™ve finally settled on my final project: a modern take on Rajasthani mirror work. The goal? A wearable piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with a bold contemporary aestheticโ€”because why not bring a little sparkle to everyday life? Why Rajasthani Mirror Work? Rajasthani sheesha (mirror) embroideryโ€ฆ